“Two writers of the original 1991 document were present and gave their perspective on a document that they see as prophetic witness to the church. Martin Ellison and Sylvia Thorson-Smith clearly see the current climate within the PCUSA as an affirmation of their work for acceptance, but they still see a need for additional work... Continue Reading

One of the greatest benefits of teaching the catechism was that it gave me simple ways to explain complex truths. The question, “Mommy, who wrote the Bible?” can be difficult to explain to a child. The catechism provided a succinct answer, “Chosen men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.”   This Thursday, I’m looking... Continue Reading

“Gerald was no longer able to state that marriage is defined between one man and one woman,” Williams said. “In order to arrive at such a place, there were many other areas of theology and scripture related to human sexuality, gender identification, marital and sexual orientation that Gerald was not able to agree with this... Continue Reading

“The Confederate battle flag resolution was another step in the convention’s effort to address its past actions regarding slavery and racism. The SBC, which began in 1845 in part in support of slaveholding missionaries, approved a resolution in 1995 repenting of racism and asking for forgiveness from African American Christians.”   Messengers to the 2016... Continue Reading

In 1975 the synod authorized the ordination of women to the priesthood. However, since his election in 1993 the Archbishop of Riga Jānis Vanags has declined to ordain women to the priesthood, arguing the experiment had not worked in Latvia. Archbishop Vanags…has argued that there is no warrant for women priests found in Scripture and... Continue Reading

Do music that is meant to be sung, and in a way that encourages healthy, hearty singing. Most of the music churches are now attempting to sing is instrumentally-driven music in a vernacular style that was written for a solo artist recording. Replicating that style of music, with its syncopation, affected vocals, aimless melodies, and... Continue Reading

Synod delegates called for a change to the Book of Church Order (BCO), mandating that consistories or governing bodies “shall assure that marriages in a church or congregation are between a man and a woman.” The change must be approved by two-thirds of RCA classes and ratified at General Synod 2017 before it is added... Continue Reading

In 2008, the General Conference, which meets every four years, rejected a similar proposal, 300-484. In 2012, voicing disapproval with a RCRC publication that described “aborting children as ‘God’s work’ or ‘holy work,’” the Church and Society committee approved a measure to withdraw from the RCRC, but the General Conference did not vote on the... Continue Reading

Greear told the convention he prayed last night and believes “we need to leave St. Louis united.” Gaines said “there’s no way God is not doing something in all of this.” He said he has decided internally Tuesday night to withdraw but agreed to serve as president after a conversation with Greear. ST. LOUIS (BP)... Continue Reading

Slated for a vote to serve as president of the convention are J.D. Greear, pastor of the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, and Steve Gaines, who serves as senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee, one of the more historic parishes for Southern Baptists….Greear, 43, who is a strong Calvinist, represents the resurgence... Continue Reading