Laura Erlanson Stories

Inherent design tells ‘The Story of Everything’ in new documentary

Most people subscribe to one of two stories about the nature and origin of life and of humanity’s place in the universe, says author and philosopher of science Stephen C. Meyer. The first one, he says, is “the idea that life is the result of an undirected, unguided, strictly materialistic process, and there’s no evidence for a designing mind behind life or the universe.” The other story is “the idea that there is evidence of a mind behind the universe, a creative intelligence.”

WRAP-UP: EC members prioritize CP, disability ministry

In a meeting that was at once routine and consequential, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee adopted a realigned CP allocation budget, affirmed the need for ministry to those with disabilities, discontinued fellowship with two churches and dealt with messenger motions referred to it from the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting.

Cities Church leaders address Sunday’s worship disruption

Leaders of Cities Church released a statement today (Jan. 20) addressing what they called the “shameful, unlawful conduct” of protestors that disrupted their church service Sunday, Jan. 18.

Appeals court says defunding of Planned Parenthood can continue

The First Circuit Court of Appeals has sided with the Trump Administration in allowing the defunding of abortion providers to continue while lawsuits are ongoing.

Brandon Lake garners the most Dove Awards with five; Forrest Frank abstains

“Gratitude” and “Graves Into Gardens” singer Brandon Lake won big at last week’s Gospel Music Association Dove Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Housing now open for 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando

Nearly 4,000 rooms across more than two dozen hotels will be available at noon Eastern today (Oct. 6) for booking through the Southern Baptist Convention’s housing office for next year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Orlando offers unmatched hotel options for SBC26

While there’s still a little more than a month to go before room nights for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando go online for booking, attendees can begin viewing their options and making plans now. The list provided at sbcannualmeeting.net/hotels offers something for just about every itinerary and budget.

Supreme Court instructs New York to uphold religious liberty

The Supreme Court has ordered New York courts to reconsider some of their previous decisions in light of the High Court’s ruling in the Wisconsin Catholic Charities case earlier this month.

SBC appeals defamation case to Tennessee Supreme Court

The Southern Baptist Convention and other defendants lost an appeal in a Tennessee district court but have appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court. The case, Preston Garner et. al. v. Southern Baptist Convention et. al., regards an inquiry made by the SBC Credentials Committee in the course of following up on a confidential report made to the SBC’s abuse hotline.

DOJ closes investigation of SBC

The U.S. Department of Justice informed Southern Baptist Convention attorneys today (March 12) that its investigation into the SBC and its entities is closed. No sexual abuse-related charges were filed.

ERLC urges Congress to defund Planned Parenthood

The Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty has issued a formal request for Congress to defund Planned Parenthood and is asking others to join.

Pressley, Leatherwood send letters to Biden, Congress in support of Israel

Ethics & Religious Liberty President Brent Leatherwood and Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley submitted a joint letter today (Oct. 2) to both President Joe Biden and U.S. congressional leaders expressing Southern Baptists’ continued support for Israel. The letter comes on the heels of escalation in Middle East conflict and a few days before the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

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