NASHVILLE – In the 1950s, Congress banned charitable nonprofits – including churches – from endorsing candidates or otherwise intervening in elections. Any nonprofit that violated the ban could run afoul of the IRS. Churches risked losing their tax-exempt status if the preacher endorsed a candidate in a sermon. It’s time for that to change, most Protestant pastors say in a new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. More than 7 in 10 say Congress should bar the IRS from punishing a … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist lawyers critique federal housing allowance ruling
MADISON, Wisc. – For a second time a federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled the U.S. Tax Code’s ministerial housing allowance is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb once again attempted to strike down the housing allowance, issuing her decision on Oct. 9. Her previous ruling on the matter was struck down by the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But the ruling does not impact Missouri clergy, only those in Wisconsin so far, said Missouri Baptist Convention general … [Read more...]
Unexpected footprints deal blow to evolution
CRETE (WNS) – Researchers just discovered ancient human footprints on the Greek island of Crete that undermine the Darwinian theory of the descent of humans. Per Ahlberg, one of the study authors, admitted in a statement, “This discovery challenges the established narrative of early human evolution head-on and is likely to generate a lot of debate.” The new discovery presents difficulties for evolutionary theory in two ways. First, evolutionary scientists believe human beings … [Read more...]
Steve McQueen film more than ‘celebrity salute’
NASHVILLE (BP) – “Steve McQueen: American Icon” premiered theatrically nationwide for one night only, Sept. 28, but will be back for an encore in nine Missouri theaters Oct. 19. This documentary isn’t just another celebrity salute. Rather, it’s a revealing biography of a tormented man seeking and ultimately finding redemption – through Jesus Christ. Viewing it, one can see God’s guiding hands at work. The new film about screen idol Steve McQueen (“Bullitt,” “The Towering Inferno,” “The … [Read more...]
Colorado River ‘sues’ for personhood
DENVER, Colo. (WNS) – In the past year, New Zealand granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River, and an Indian court attempted to declare, but was overruled by India’s Supreme Court, that the rivers Ganga and Yamuna and two glaciers in the Himalayas were legally protected persons. Now an environmental group in the United States is suing on behalf of the Colorado River for personhood, The New York Times reported. Deep Green Resistance (DGR) hopes to “create a life-centered resistance … [Read more...]
CP speeds Central Asian outreach for Movement Church
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- A young Richmond, Va.-area church saw the effectiveness of the Cooperative Program this summer while helping a Central Asian village build water wells. "The work is thrilling," said Cliff Jordan, a church planter and pastor of the eight-year-old Movement Church, where about 250 people attend Sunday morning worship. Jordan appreciates International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries who laid the foundation for his mission team to arrive in the village and make a … [Read more...]
Green light given for Puerto Rico relief
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – The North American Mission Board's Send Relief ministry has been asked to manage the disaster response on behalf of the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in Puerto Rico. "We have officially requested Send Relief to coordinate the disaster relief response in Puerto Rico," said Jorge Alvarez, who leads the Puerto Rican convention. "The needs here are unprecedented, and we need our entire Southern Baptist family to help Puerto Rico during this tragic time." David … [Read more...]
‘He saved my life and lost his;’ Vegas shooting leaves Tenn. church heartbroken
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) – A small West Tennessee Baptist church continues to feel the blow of Sunday night's mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert after it learned one of the victims was a native son. Sonny Melton, 29, who grew up in Big Sandy and attended Ramble Creek Baptist Church, was killed when he was struck by gun fire while shielding his wife, Heather Melton. "It's rocked this whole community," said Jim Twilbeck, director of missions for the Western District Association. "It's not … [Read more...]
‘God is real,’ Harvey survivor blesses Mo. DR workers with testimony
TEXAS CITY, Texas – Days spent responding to Hurricane Harvey were long, humid and exhausting. But ask any one of the hundreds who answered the call to bring help hope and healing, and they would most likely say the sacrifice was worth being a blessing to someone else in need. Often times, in fact, they are the ones who come away blessed. Such is the case of those volunteers who were fortunate to meet Maria Renovato and hear her testimony one evening. “Before the Hurricane,” she told the … [Read more...]
Trump’s new abortion mandate rules promote religious freedom
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Trump administration delivered a major victory for freedom of conscience Oct. 6 by issuing new rules to protect objectors to the abortion/contraception mandate instituted under President Obama. One of the two companion rules announced today exempts entities from the requirement based on their religious beliefs, while the other regulation protects organizations and small businesses on the basis of a moral conviction apart from a specific religious belief. The win for … [Read more...]
Republican Illinois governor OKs state funds for abortion
CHICAGO, Ill. (WNS) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed a bill on Sept. 28 approving taxpayer funding for abortion and protecting state abortion provisions in the event the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturns Roe v. Wade. “I personally am pro-choice,” Rauner said at a news conference before signing the bill. “I always have been. And I made no qualms about that when I was elected governor. And I have not and never will change my views. I personally believe that a woman should … [Read more...]
California bill threatens freedoms of religion and speech
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (WNS) – California Assembly Bill 569, which would bar employment discrimination based on “reproductive health” decisions, hit Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk last week. Pro-life groups see the bill as a threat to religious liberty and freedom of speech, as it would nullify employee codes of conduct that cover the use of contraception and abortion. California ProLife Council director Brian Johnston said the bill is “really taking rights away from an employer, who they hire, … [Read more...]
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