Protestant

James Forbes’ ode to Juneteenth calls on Americans to embrace the promise of freedom

By Yonat Shimron — June 18, 2021

(RNS) — The retired pastor's spoken word is not simply a paean to freedom. It’s a call to all Americans to face the reality of the nation’s history and the unfinished work of Juneteenth.

‘We still have work to do’: How to understand the new Juneteenth holiday

By Paul O'Donnell — June 18, 2021

Michael W. Smith: ‘Six principles I learned from my dad’s life’

By Michael W. Smith — June 18, 2021

Albert Mohler’s darkest hour

By Jonathan Merritt — June 18, 2021

(RNS) — In his bid to lead America’s largest denomination, he was his own worst enemy.

J.D. Greear’s legacy as Southern Baptist president: Grappling with abuse, pushing diversity

By Adelle M. Banks — June 17, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — ‘Wish we could have seen more progress on responding to abuse, and current revelations reveal we still have farther to go,’ he told RNS.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, others encourage US to rebuild refugee resettlement ahead of World Refugee Day

By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 17, 2021

(RNS) — ‘A system that took 40 years to build was devastated in just four years,’ said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

Boris Johnson and Britain are having their own Catholic crisis

By Catherine Pepinster — June 17, 2021

LONDON (RNS) — ‘Appointment as prime minister is the completion of the Catholic stealth minority’s rise to influence,’ said one historian.

Baker fined for refusing to make transgender transition cake

By Colleen Slevin — June 17, 2021

DENVER (AP) — While Jack Phillips said he could not make the cake because of its message, the judge said the case was about a refusal to sell a product, not compelled speech.

Black community has new option for health care: the church

By Carrie Antlfinger — June 17, 2021

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Some Black church leaders want to extend their efforts beyond the fight against COVID-19 and give their flocks a place to seek health care for other ailments at a place they trust — the church.

PHOTO GALLERY: Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting gathers in Nashville

By Kit Doyle — June 17, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention’s 2021 annual meeting convened June 15-16 at the Music City Center in Nashville. Check out some of our favorite photographs from this year’s meeting.

At annual meeting, Southern Baptists ‘turn their hearts to the right’

By Jacob Lupfer — June 17, 2021

(RNS) — A new president offers clues to the denomination’s direction. It’s not as promising as it seems.

Southern Baptist Convention resolutions reflect passion on issues of race, abortion

By Adelle M. Banks — June 17, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — While some 2021 messengers expressed opinions about the 2019 CRT resolution, anti-abortion advocates were concerned past resolutions about the SBC’s stance against abortion were not strong enough.

Southern Baptists approve abuse task force, say abusive pastors should be banned

By Bob Smietana — June 16, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The task force will address concerns Southern Baptist leaders have mistreated abuse victims and mishandled allegations of abuse.

Saddleback Church’s ordination of women pastors to be considered by SBC committee

By Adelle M. Banks — June 16, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — ‘At the very least, I am asking that the validity of this matter be looked into,’ said a pastor at the Southern Baptists’ annual meeting.

Who is Ed Litton, the new Southern Baptist Convention president?