NASHVILLE (BP) -- Racial reconciliation in the church calls for a strong view of the image of God in all people, a deep commitment to understanding others and an intentionality in achieving diversity, speakers said on the second day of a Southern Baptist-sponsored leadership summit. Christians must see the image of God in all people without minimizing their differences, African-American speakers said.Black, white, Asian and Iranian pastors and leaders addressed racial disunity Friday … [Read more...]
Ind. bill affirms ‘inclusion’ of religious beliefs
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (BP) – Indiana's leading Republican lawmakers pledged today (March 30) to introduce language to the state's new religious freedom bill to clarify it does not allow discrimination against homosexuals, but seeks inclusion of religious diversity. House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said at today's press conference that backlash generated by the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), signed into law March 26, is based on a … [Read more...]
IRS notice may benefit ministers
JEFFERSON CITY – A recent announcement from the IRS may help ministers around the state save on their taxes, according to Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Human Resources and Guidestone specialist Gene Foster. According to Foster, this IRS announcement made clear that ministers—and other taxpayers—who have individual medical plans and who have reported their healthcare premiums as taxable income for 2014 no longer need to do so. “For some guys, that is $13,000 or $14,000 of income that … [Read more...]
Ministry aims to transform Ferguson
FERGUSON – Changing the streets of unrest in Ferguson to streets of love and ministry is the ultimate goal of Adopt a Block, a plan sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. A recent workshop for training was held at First Baptist Church here. “It is a good, simple plan,” Stoney Shaw, pastor of FBC Ferguson, said. “We are concerned about the people around our church. We want to join with other churches and minister. Walking the streets and praying is a simple yet powerful … [Read more...]
Springfield gears up for ‘gay rights’ vote
SPRINGFIELD – Citizens of Springfield will vote ‘yes’ April 7 to restore religious liberty protections or ‘no’ to keep an “equal rights” ordinance that extends nondiscrimination protection to include sexual orientation and “gender identity.” Critics of the ordinance say Missouri has laws already on the books offering protections, and that the ordinance goes too far at the expense of religious liberty. The city’s council voted 6 to 3 Oct. 13, 2014, to approve Ordinance 6141, which codifies … [Read more...]
SBC presidents send open letter to Obama
NASHVILLE (BP) – In an open letter, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd, along with the support and signatures of 16 former SBC presidents, called on President Obama to "take the necessary actions now" against ISIS terrorists. "Since ISIS is a continuing threat to world peace in a way unknown to us since the Nazis of World War II, we humbly call upon you to use the influence and power of your distinguished office to take the necessary actions now in this urgent hour to … [Read more...]
Moore: SCOTUS will ‘probably’ OK gay marriage
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court likely will legalize gay marriage nationwide, labeling it a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment, Southern Baptists' lead ethicist told state convention executives and Baptist state paper editors Feb. 11. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was "probably right" in his apparent prediction that the Supreme Court's recent denial of a stay to halt legalized same-sex marriage in Alabama "is a signal of what the court intends to do," … [Read more...]
MO lawmakers defend marriage by filing brief in 8th circuit
KANSAS CITY – The leaders of the Missouri Senate and House filed a friend of the court brief on Feb. 24 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, defending the Missouri Marriage Amendment passed by a million voters in 2004. The “amicus curiae” brief supports the State of Missouri’s legal position, seeking reversal of an order by a Kansas City federal judge striking down the state’s constitutional provision. The Missouri Marriage Amendment, Article I, §33 states: “That to be … [Read more...]
Asbury enters gov’s race
MOBERLY – The election is more than a year-and-a-half away, but a Missouri Baptist has already thrown his hat into the ring to be elected governor next November. Randy Asbury, a member of First Baptist Church, Salisbury, made the announcement Feb. 12 at Moberly Area Community College. Asbury, a Republican, served in the Missouri House beginning in 2010 as the representative from the 22nd district, but lost his seat due to redistricting in 2012. He is a former deputy director for the … [Read more...]
Petitions, legislators working to legalize pot
JEFFERSON CITY – A group based out of Columbia, called Show-Me Cannabis, recently received Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander’s approval to circulate petitions seeking a statewide vote in 2016 to legalize the sale and use of marijuana. The petition proposes an amendment to Missouri’s Constitution, which would take effect on Jan. 1, 2017. If approved by voters, the amendment would prohibit state laws banning the possession or use of marijuana, the purchase or sale of marijuana, or … [Read more...]
Michigan judge mocks Bible over same-sex marriage
DETROIT – A U.S. District Judge mocked the Bible in a decision that validated 300 same-sex “marriages” that took place in Michigan last year. “In these circumstances, what the state has joined together, it may not put asunder,” said Judge Mark Goldsmith in his Jan. 15 decision. The ruling came after nearly a year of uncertainty regarding same-sex couples who were “married” the day after a different judge said Michigan’s marriage law was unconstitutional. The 2014 decision was put on hold, … [Read more...]
Law sheds light on reading the Bible in schools
MARSHALL – A small town in Missouri briefly became a flashpoint of religious freedom when inconclusive reports hit media outlets that a student at Bueker Middle School here was told he was not allowed to read his Bible during his free time. A seventh grader there told his parents and WDAF-TV in Kansas City a teacher told him he could not read the Bible at school. However, there has not been validation of the accusation and the principal has since made public comments assuring the Bible and … [Read more...]
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