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  Christmas better with trip to church, most Americans agree

  Most Americans believe Christmas goes better with a visit to church, religious Christmas songs in public school concerts and greater focus on Jesus, according to a LifeWay survey.

  12/11/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Baptist Briefs: Appeals court hears GuideStone challenge to Obamacare

  GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention told the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver that required coverage of contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act substantially burdens its religious freedom.

  12/11/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  A stress-free December for pastors? No, but here are some tips

  Besides preparing for some of the most anticipated worship services of the year and counseling an increased number of people facing specific holiday issues, pastors typically must juggle family commitments and last-minute invitations to Christmas parties.

  12/09/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Baptist Briefs: CBF chief urges Congress to act on immigration reform

  While opinions differ on President Obama’s use of executive power, Congress still needs to act on long-term immigration reform, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leader Suzii Paynter insisted.

  11/28/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Baptists warn Vatican conference of dangers to marriage, family

  Two prominent Southern Baptists, Russell Moore and Rick Warren, blasted the sexual revolution at a Vatican conference, saying it is destroying the institution of marriage.

  11/24/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Baptist Briefs: Virginia Baptists approve governance change

  A far-reaching shift in governance of the 191-year-old Baptist General Association of Virginia went into effect Nov. 12 when messengers at the group’s annual meeting adopted a set of constitutional and bylaw changes implementing a proposal adopted last year.

  11/20/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Baptist Briefs: IMB president presents strategy

  David Platt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, outlined his strategic plan during his first trustee meeting as head of the mission agency.

  11/13/2014 - By John Rutledge

• Baptist Briefs: African-American Baptist coalition takes on Ebola

  The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration is launching a series of financial and spiritual initiatives to battle the deadly Ebola virus that has ravaged Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

  11/06/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Protestant church giving reflects improving economic trends

  The nation’s slow economic recovery from a deep recession is showing up in the offering plates of Protestant churches in the United States, a recent survey by LifeWay Research reveals.

  11/05/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Holiness, not ‘quick fix for gayness,’ goal of ministry, speakers say

  The goal of ministry to gays and lesbians isn’t to make them heterosexual but to make them holy, three speakers told a Southern Baptist Convention-sponsored conference on the gospel and homosexuality.

  11/01/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  Marriage crisis predated gay marriage, conference speakers say

  The crisis in marriage preceded the rapid rise of legalized same-sex unions, and the church faces a daunting challenge in addressing it, speakers told 1,300 participants at a Southern Baptist conference on the issue.

  11/01/2014 - By John Rutledge

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  SBC ethics chief denounces reparative therapy for gays

  Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore denounced reparative therapy, saying the controversial treatment that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation has been “severely counterproductive.”

  11/01/2014 - By John Rutledge