LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP) – Peer pressure can be a good thing. It’s not something usually pressed in a student ministry setting, but Bill Newton has discovered its value at Immanuel Baptist Church. Talk to youth ministry leaders and you will soon learn the expansive impact cell phones have on students. Approximately 95 percent of American teenagers have one. To get an idea on the speed at which that point came, consider that in 2011 nearly a quarter of teens (23 percent) had a smart phone. … [Read more...]
TIMELINE: Sexual abuse investigation-related costs approach $13M since 2021
NASHVILLE (BP) – At last month’s SBC Executive Committee meeting, EC President and CEO Jeff Iorg reported that as of Dec. 24, some $13 million had been spent on investigations related to sexual abuse and related legal costs. He further reported that the EC is pursuing a $3 million loan to cover legal costs in the current fiscal year. Additionally, EC members approved a 2025-26 budget that includes a $3 million priority allocation for legal fees. That budget awaits SBC messenger approval in … [Read more...]
Proposed bill would allow ministers to opt back in to Social Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) — A bipartisan bill may give ministers who decided long ago to opt out of Social Security benefits the chance to change their minds. The Clergy Act, submitted by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), would allow for a period in which clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage. Another version of the bill has been reintroduced by Reps. Vince Fong (R-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) in the House. A dual tax status accompanies one who … [Read more...]
Survey asks for feedback on SBC Annual Meeting present, future
DALLAS (BP) – Southern Baptists wanting to provide input for future annual meetings are able to do so through a newly formed survey. A brief series of questions allows for the survey to be completed in a matter of minutes. Questions address a number of issues, including sites for the future meetings, the importance of different events and the cost of attending. “We are just over 100 days from the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting. As we prepare to gather in Dallas, we wanted to hear from … [Read more...]
EC approves $190 million allocation budget that includes legal costs
NASHVILLE (BP) — Executive Committee members approved a recommendation Tuesday morning (Feb. 18) for a $190 million 2025-26 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget that includes $3 million earmarked for anticipated legal costs. The recommendation moves forward to messengers for a vote at the SBC Annual Meeting held in Dallas in June. EC members spent approximately 33 minutes of the 46-minute report brought by the Committee on Convention Finances and Stewardship discussing the $3 … [Read more...]
Iorg addresses sexual abuse, financial realities in report to Executive Committee
$3 million of CP funds earmarked toward potential legal costs NASHVILLE (BP) — In a landmark address to SBC Executive Committee members, SBC EC President Jeff Iorg outlined plans for continued sexual abuse prevention and response, presented findings from the SBC’s sexual abuse hotline that clarify the incidence of abuse in Southern Baptist churches and shared steps for responding to calls for greater financial clarity from SBC entities. His comments came Monday evening in the Executive … [Read more...]
Lucy Pat Curl, wife of Orlando pastor, dies days after home attack
ORLANDO (BP) — The wife of a member of First Baptist Church’s pastoral staff died on Feb. 5, days after a home attack left her with brain injuries. Lucy Pat Curl, whose husband Bill served in pastoral care, was taken off life support on Feb. 5, a note from her extended family informed the church. “She went on to Heaven early this morning. We rejoice that she is no longer in pain,” it read. Curl was attacked on Jan. 31 by a man pretending to be a community service officer while her … [Read more...]
First Orlando continues prayer for pastor’s wife after attack
ORLANDO (BP) – Lucy Pat Curl, the wife of a leader in First Baptist Church’s Pastoral Care ministry, remains in a coma four days after an attack at her home. Curl, 85, has served alongside her husband, Bill, at the church for the last 52 years. She is currently on life support and, according to the Orlando Police Department’s Arrest Affidavit, is not expected to survive. Senior Pastor David Uth told the congregation on Sunday that a sermon series set to begin, “Greater,” would be put … [Read more...]
Jeff Dalrymple to lead ongoing Southern Baptist sexual abuse response
NASHVILLE (BP) – Jeff Dalrymple has been named to lead the office within the SBC Executive Committee dedicated to Southern Baptists’ long-term efforts in Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response, according to a statement from EC President and CEO Jeff Iorg. Dalrymple, 49, begins his role immediately. He will be formally introduced at the SBC Executive Committee’s Feb. 17-18 meeting. At that time, Iorg said, several sexual abuse prevention and response initiatives will be announced in order … [Read more...]
California, Arizona Disaster Relief teams preparing to join L.A. County wildfire response
PASADENA, Calif. (BP) — California Baptist Disaster Relief is prepared to help in the recovery effort as three wildfires burn across L.A. County, a state spokesperson shared with Baptist Press today. “He told them we’re ready,” Sarah Graham, team leader for the Office of Communications at the California Southern Baptist Convention, said as Disaster Relief director Kendrick Neal met with emergency response leaders. CSBDR is being asked to provide those who can assist in spiritual … [Read more...]
Bible sales growth reflects multi-year trend, desire to explore Truth
NASHVILLE (BP) — A rise in Bible sales coincides with reports by Lifeway Christian Resources and reflects a growing desire to learn more about God’s Word, say Bible study leaders and those in the industry. “It’s an interesting time,” said Andy McLean, publisher of Bibles and Reference for Lifeway. “We’ve seen a general increase in the last two or three years with the Bible market. There are a lot of unique types of Bibles out there helping people in different ways understand the meaning … [Read more...]
Trump selects former Southern Baptist pastor, chaplain to lead Veterans Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) — President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a former Southern Baptist pastor to be the next head of the Department of Veterans Affairs. A native of Gainesville, Ga., Doug Collins was senior pastor of Chicopee Baptist Church from November 1994 through October 2005, according to the church’s annual church profile reporting. He also served as chaplain for Chattahoochee Baptist Association and earned his Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological … [Read more...]
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