Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a veteran religion writer and national reporter for Religion News Service.
All Stories by Bob Smietana
James MacDonald, former Harvest Bible pastor, charged with felony assault and battery
By Bob Smietana — April 13, 2023
(RNS)— MacDonald, a once popular radio preacher who helped found what was one of Chicago’s largest churches, was fired in 2019 and deemed unfit for ministry. He has continued to guest preach at churches and run an online ministry.
There’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the same
By Bob Smietana — April 11, 2023
(RNS) — A new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you.
After biblical protestations, expelled Tennessee lawmakers find support among clergy
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — On Friday, the Poor People's Campaign announced a clergy-led protest to be held in Nashville later this month.
Bob Jones president resigns, accuses board chair of thwarting Title IX complaint
By Bob Smietana — April 6, 2023
(RNS) — President since 2014, Pettit had helped soften some of the school’s rules while maintaining its conservative beliefs. That did not sit well with some board members.
Southern Baptist task force may split with Guidepost over LGBTQ views
By Bob Smietana — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — Guidepost has been criticized by SBC leaders for its support of LGBT rights.
Joe Rigney, Bethlehem Seminary president, resigns due to support of Christian nationalism and infant baptism
By Bob Smietana — April 3, 2023
(RNS) — Rigney has long been considered controversial for his views on empathy and for his relationship with Idaho pastor Doug Wilson.
After shooting, Tennessee’s God and guns culture under fire as protests mount in Capitol
By Bob Smietana — March 30, 2023
(RNS) — Hundreds of protesters rallied at the Tennessee Capitol on Thursday, calling for red flag laws and other reforms in the wake of the state's deadliest school shooting.
Grief, fear haunt Nashville as residents gather to mourn in wake of Covenant shooting
By Bob Smietana — March 30, 2023
(RNS) — Vigils and funeral services begin for the victims of Monday’s shooting at a Christian school.
Faith-based volunteers show up to help after Mississippi tornadoes
By Bob Smietana — March 27, 2023
(RNS)— Faith-based groups often play a key role in cleaning up after disasters and with long-term rebuilding.
Report: LGBTQ Americans tend to be younger and have no religion
By Bob Smietana — March 23, 2023
(RNS) — The new report from PRRI also found that many religious Americans support LGBTQ nondiscrimination rights, even those who oppose same sex-marriage.
Worship leader turned ‘Star Wars’ memer finds trademark trouble from unexpected quarter
By Bob Smietana — March 22, 2023
(RNS) — A once-influential Christian magazine’s attempts to regain an audience may have alienated the very people it wants to reach.
Johnny Hunt, disgraced former SBC pastor, sues denomination he once led
By Bob Smietana — March 18, 2023
(RNS) — In a court filing, Hunt admitted kissing and fondling another pastor's wife but says the incident was consensual and private and should not have been made public in a major 2022 report.
Preemptive Love Coalition to merge with Search for Common Ground
By Bob Smietana — March 16, 2023
(RNS) — The merger ends a year of uncertainty for the charity, which sees relief work as a form of peacemaking,
Since the 1880s, Southern Baptists have argued over the role of women
By Bob Smietana — March 15, 2023
(RNS)— At the SBC’s meeting this summer, delegates may debate a constitutional amendment to limit women leaders. It wouldn’t be the first time.
How a little-known editor made God a bestseller by helping Americans let go of religion
By Bob Smietana — March 13, 2023
(RNS) — A chance encounter at a party led religion professor Stephen Prothero to rediscover the story of Eugene Exman, a longtime book publisher who helped transform American religion.
