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The Briefing: 2020 election looms large for evangelicals
October 1, 2019 By Meredith Flynn
Report promotes civility in public discourse
The Southern Baptist Convention's public policy arm released a report Sept. 26 on how Christians can help heal the country's political divides. "Faith and Healthy Democracy," released by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and based on interviews with nearly 50 evangelical leaders, found that "toxic" was the most common adjective used to describe today's public discourse.
Ahead of election, evangelicals report surprising priorities
A LifeWay Research survey in conjunction with the ERLC report found evangelicals are more likely to say healthcare, the economy, national security, and immigration are the public policy concerns most important to them, rather than religious liberty, abortion, providing for the needy, or addressing racial division. Only 8% say they are single-issue voters.
Pastor condemns impeachment effort
Following the announcement of an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, one of the President's most vocal evangelical supporters said the country could be headed for a "Civil War-like fracture" should Trump be removed from office. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, also said of fellow evangelicals: "…I have never seen them more angry over any issue than this attempt to illegitimately remove this president from office, overturn the 2016 election and negate the votes of millions of evangelicals in the process."
2020 will see 40% decrease in refugees resettled in U.S.
Christian leaders decried the Trump administration's announcement last week that the U.S. will resettle only 18,000 refugees in the 2020 fiscal year. Christianity Today reported the ceiling for resettling refugees hadn't dropped below 70,000 for 30 years before it dropped to 45,000 in 2018, then 30,000 the next year.
SBC President opens U.S. House session with prayer
Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear prayed Sept. 25 before the U.S. House of Representatives, asking God to "grant that this body rule in a way that directs the men, women and children of this country toward your goodness, and enables them to respond in thankfulness to you." Baptist Press reported Greear's visit to the Capitol also included meetings with several legislators.
Sources: Baptist Press, LifeWay Research, Times Record News, Christianity Today
Abuse in the SBC
Former Illinois pastor accused; two relationships occurred in youth ministry in 2002
Illinois Baptist Staff
Former Illinois pastor Wes Feltner is accused by two women of abusive relationships, one of them sexual, when he was their youth minister in Indiana 17 years ago. The charges came to light as Feltner is lead candidate for the pastorate of First Baptist Church of Clarksville, Tennessee. The story was reported by the Clarksville […]
Longtime Chicago pastor resigns; sexual abuse prior to ministry among reasons
Charles Lyons resigned as pastor of Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago following what church leaders called a "corrective leave of absence" that began in October 2018. Read…
Protect your children, protect your church
Caring Well
Tuesday Briefing
New guidelines for school prayer
With the arrival of 2020, many leaders and organizations, including many churches, seem to be thinking and talking about vision. Just as 20/20 vision implies clarity and accuracy, so an organization that has a "2020 Vision Statement" seems to promise that it sees where it is going, and that its declared direction can be trusted. […]
Northwest Convention head to face Mohler for SBC presidency
A group of Southern Baptists has announced their intention to nominate Randy Adams, executive director of the Northwest Baptist Convention (NWBC), as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Adams' intended nomination will be brought to messengers at the SBC annual meeting June 9-10 in Orlando, Fla. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, was announced in […]
State rep. wants you to pray for Springfield
Iran attacks 'a sober moment' for America
Churches start 'ReFocus' journey toward revitalization
Seven IBSA churches gathered in November for a three-day meeting focused on revitalization. The churches are the first to engage in a ReFocus process designed to help churches rediscover their purpose and take new steps of obedience. IBSA has made church revitalization a key priority for 2020. The Association is partnering with Rob Peters and […]
Prayer tour hits the road
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