WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” a bill aimed at protecting newborn babies that survive attempted abortions. The bill was endorsed by the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The bill, which passed the House on Thursday (Jan. 23) with a vote of 217 to 204, would amend current law by adding specific protections for newborn infants and requiring medical professionals to provide these … [Read more...]
ERLC releases 2025 public policy agenda
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) announced the organization’s policy priorities for the upcoming year through the entity’s annual federal public policy agenda, released Thursday (Jan. 16). The ERLC’s 2025 Public Policy Agenda is once again divided into the entity’s four main focus areas: Life, Religious Liberty, Marriage and Family, and Human Dignity. The agenda was authored by ERLC President Brent Leatherwood and ERLC Public Policy Director Hannah … [Read more...]
ERLC speaks out against proposed rule expanding coverage of contraceptives
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has filed public comments voicing concerns with a proposed rule which would expand coverage of contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act. The rule would require private insurance providers to cover over-the-counter contraception, including abortifacients such as the Plan B pill, without a prescription at no cost. It would also require insurers to cover every FDA-approved contraceptive drug or product without cost sharing … [Read more...]
Supreme Court hears abortion pill case
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on March 26 in a case that will rule on the availability of mifepristone, a drug commonly used in medication abortions. The case, Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, is the first time the Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue of abortion since the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. A decision on the case is expected in June. Tuesday’s arguments surround an August 2023 decision … [Read more...]
Supreme Court to hear case regarding Idaho abortion ban
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Supreme Court will rule on a case involving an Idaho law that bans nearly all abortions in the state. The high court agreed to hear a challenge to the law, known as the Defense of Life Act, which makes it a felony for doctors to perform most abortions, with an exception for procedures performed when necessary to save the life of the mother. Last Friday (Jan. 5), the Supreme Court ruled Idaho can enforce the law while the case involving the legislation is being … [Read more...]
ERLC urges rescindment of proposed LGBTQ+ foster care regulation
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released a letter urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind a recently proposed regulation regarding foster care providers and foster children who identify as LGBTQ+. The regulation, proposed on Sept. 28, specifies steps foster care agencies must implement or maintain so that children in foster care who identify as LGTBQ+ are ensured a “safe and appropriate” placement if requested. ERLC … [Read more...]
Fifty-eight baptisms at Tennessee jail result from ministry of neighboring churches
GALLATIN, Tenn. (BP) – When more than 50 people were baptized at the Sumner County Jail in early May, it was the culmination of many years of ministry from two neighboring churches. “It was a beautiful thing, one of the highlights of my life,” said Danny Spano, a chaplain from the Sumner County Jail, of the 58 baptisms. Spano serves as the pastor of member care and recovery at Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. Hendersonville is one of several towns and cities which make up … [Read more...]
Nearly 19,000 messengers and guests attend 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, La. (BP) – Nearly 19,000 people attended the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting in New Orleans (June 13-14), including more than 12,000 messengers. The total number of registered messengers was 12,737, while guests registered for the meeting numbered 3,799. The total number of exhibitors was 2,365, making the total number of those present at the annual meeting 18,901. These are unofficial numbers as of the close of registration at noon Wednesday (June … [Read more...]
Barber reelected SBC President
NEW ORLEANS, La. (BP) – Texas pastor Bart Barber was reelected to a second term as president of the SBC on Tuesday, June 13, at the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Out of 11,014 messenger votes, Barber received 7,531 votes (68.38 percent) while Georgia pastor Mike Stone received 3,458 (31.40) percent. There were 25 ballots disallowed. Barber was nominated by Jarrett Stephens, senior pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Stone was nominated by Florida … [Read more...]
Nashville grieves shooting at Christian school
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptists are among those in the Nashville community grieving after a mass shooting at Covenant School, a pre-K through sixth grade private Christian school in the Green Hills neighborhood, left three students and three staff members dead. The shooting took place Monday, March 27, just after 10 a.m. The 28-year-old shooter, Nashville resident Audrey Hale, was killed by officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department 14 minutes after beginning the … [Read more...]
Greg Laurie says ‘Jesus Revolution’ portrays a Gospel awakening still felt today
NASHVILLE (BP) – Pastor Greg Laurie said the spiritual awakening portrayed in the new movie “Jesus Revolution” is still making an impact today, including his own life and ministry. The basis of the movie is the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Having opened in wide release Friday, Feb. 24, the movie played in more than 2,000 theaters amassing just over $15 million, putting it in third place for the weekend behind Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Cocaine … [Read more...]
ARITF recommends Guidepost Solutions to build ‘Ministry Check’ database
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting from Pathway staff. NASHVILLE (BP) – The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) announced it has made a recommendation to the SBC Credentials Committee to utilize Guidepost Solutions in establishing and maintaining a “Ministry Check” website database for those credibly accused of sexual abuse. Contract negotiations are underway, according to ARITF Chairman Marshall Blalock. He gave the task force’s update to the SBC … [Read more...]