Jun 13 What you need to know about the Southern Baptists’ resolution on IVF By Peter Smith, Associated Press Did the resolution condemn IVF or call for its banning? Not in a blanket way. Continue reading
Jun 12 Southern Baptists narrowly reject formal ban on women pastors — though it can still oust churches for having them By Peter Smith, Holly Meyer, Associated Press It still leaves the Southern Baptist Convention with its official doctrinal statement saying the office of pastor is limited to men. Continue reading
Jun 11 The Crosby-Schøyen Codex, one of the oldest surviving books, just sold for $3.9 million. Here’s what to know By Ian N. Mills, The Conversation This mid-fourth century book from Egypt is an important piece of early Christian history. Continue reading
Jun 11 Southern Baptists gather for vote that could ban churches with women pastors By Peter Smith, Associated Press Voting representatives have gathered in Indianapolis for the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting and are expected to debate whether to ban churches with women pastors. Continue reading
Jun 10 The Hajj pilgrimage and why it’s significant for Muslims By Mariam Fam, Associated Press Once a year, Muslim pilgrims flowing into Saudi Arabia unite in a series of religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. Continue reading
Jun 06 As Southern Baptists prepare to oust churches with women pastors, critics urge them to reconsider By Peter Smith, Associated Press The Southern Baptist Convention is preparing for a vote to ban churches with women pastors. Continue reading
May 17 Watch 8:15 Methodist pastor discusses major shift in church over LGBTQ+ inclusion By Geoff Bennett, Sam Lane There has been a seismic shift within the United Methodist Church after it voted to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriages. The move led some 7,600 conservative Methodist congregations, located mostly in the South, to leave the church. Continue watching
May 01 Longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy repealed at United Methodists meeting By Peter Smith, Associated Press Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Continue reading
Apr 29 United Methodists prepare for votes on ending bans on same-sex marriage, LGBTQ clergy By Peter Smith, Associated Press One-quarter of the country's United Methodist churches left between 2019 and 2023, mainly conservative churches dismayed by progressive trends, and some are calling for international churches to do the same. Continue reading
Apr 23 What to know about United Methodists’ first major meeting since its breakup over LGBTQ inclusion By Peter Smith, Associated Press This will be the first General Conference since more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations left the United Methodist Church between 2019 and 2023 because the denomination essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and having “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” serving… Continue reading