Southern Baptist Convention
Jennifer Lyell wanted to stop her abuser by telling her story. Instead, her life fell apart.
By Bob Smietana — March 18, 2021
(RNS) — When pastors or churches talk about misconduct as a ‘moral failing’ instead of abuse, they send a message that victims and survivors are partially to blame.
Southern Baptist pastor, former abuser resigns after church ousted from denomination
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2021
(RNS) — His church is no longer 'in friendly cooperation' with the denomination that found it 'knowingly employs as pastor a man convicted of statutory rape.'
Bible teacher Beth Moore, splitting with Lifeway, says, ‘I am no longer a Southern Baptist’
By Bob Smietana — March 9, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The famed Bible study teacher said she no longer feels at home in the denomination that once saved her life.
Appeals court rules in favor of Pressler accuser, says abuse lawsuit can go forward
By Bob Smietana — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — A former aide to retired judge Paul Pressler has alleged that the Southern Baptist leader had abused him for decades.
SBC President J.D. Greear: ‘God did not call Southern Baptists to save America’
By Bob Smietana — February 22, 2021
(RNS) — In a speech to the SBC Executive Committee meeting, Greear asked, ‘Do we want to be a gospel people, or a Southern culture people? Which is the more important part of our name — Southern or Baptist?’
Georgia SBC church faces banishment for accepting LGBTQ members
By Maina Mwaura — February 19, 2021
(RNS) — As the South changes, its dominant denomination faces defining decisions over inclusion.
Southern Baptist leaders decry ‘stone cold racist’ letter to Dwight McKissic
By Adelle M. Banks — February 4, 2021
(RNS) — SBC President J.D. Greear and others objected to a letter that assailed McKissic, a Black pastor who recently announced he was pulling his church out of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Some Southern Baptist pastors are calling Kamala Harris ‘Jezebel.’ What do they mean?
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — January 29, 2021
(RNS) — Southern Baptist pastors are sharply critical of Vice President Kamala Harris. Now some are taking their insults to biblical proportions.
Some Black Southern Baptists feel shut out by white leaders
By David Crary — January 25, 2021
(RNS) — The SBC's national meeting in June cold be a crucial moment for Black pastors if delegates rebuff their views on systemic racism in the U.S.
Southern Baptist Dwight McKissic to leave Texas group over critical race theory stance
By Adelle M. Banks — January 22, 2021
(RNS) — ‘I’m no longer compatible with them and made the decision that we need to disengage from them,’ the pastor said of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Alabama pastor Ed Litton, known for racial reconciliation work, joins SBC presidential race
By Bob Smietana — January 21, 2021
(RNS) — So far, four Southern Baptist leaders, each representing a different segment of the SBC, plan to run for president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
This MLK Day, white evangelicals again have a choice to make on racial justice
By Jemar Tisby — January 18, 2021
(RNS) — Those who wish to learn from MLK’s legacy must also ask if they are willing to listen to the modern-day prophets of racial justice.
From the Capitol to critical race theory, white Christians grieve declining hegemony
By Andre Henry — January 13, 2021
(RNS) — Connecting the spectacle at the Capitol with the SBC seminary presidents' statements is the effort to sustain white supremacy.
Southern Baptist leaders meet after critical race theory document caused controversy
By Adelle M. Banks — January 8, 2021
(RNS) — African American leaders and seminary presidents said they had an ‘honest and open conversation’ during the virtual meeting earlier in the week.
The SBC’s critical race theory debacle
By Mark Silk — December 29, 2020
(RNS) — Once the SBC sees systemic racism, it’s a slippery slope to feminism, climate change and LGBTQ rights.