Monday, October 17, 2016

• FIRST-PERSON: Refugees - retreat or welcome?

  by Erich Bridges, posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  With millions of refugees across the world -- half of them from Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan -- evangelicals face a choice: retreat or extend a welcome, missions columnist Erich Bridges writes. Churches, he notes, "have been the primary sponsors and welcomers of refugees to the U.S. since the aftermath of the Vietnam War. We still are -- for now." Read More

• Indiana Baptists amend church cooperation bylaw

  by Staff, posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  

  Photo courtesy of SCBI

  PLAINFIELD, Ind. (BP) -- Indiana Baptists amended their bylaw regarding cooperating churches at the group's annual meeting Oct. 10–11 at the Palms Conference Center in Plainfield, Ind.

  The new State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) rule provides "a personal and proactive approach to dealing with churches that have not met the basic requirements of being a 'cooperating church with the SCBI,'" the group reported.

  Messengers to the annual meeting received the resignation of SCBI executive ... Read More

• Massachusetts churches sue over 'anti-bias' law

  by Bonnie Pritchett/WORLD News Service, posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  BOSTON (BP) -- Four Massachusetts churches and their pastors filed a pre-emptive lawsuit in October in an attempt to halt application of a newly amended state law requiring pastors to temper their speech and churches to allow transgender persons to use the bathroom of their choice.

  In July, Massachusetts legislators amended General Law 272, known as "Crimes against Chastity, Morality, Decency and Good Order," to add gender identity to the list of protected classes. Neither the law nor the amendment offer religious exemptions from compliance or name religious institutions as places of public ... Read More

• Political engagement, trust in God's sovereignty urged

  by SBTS Communications , posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  

  SBTS Photo by Emil Handke.

  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Jesus is the "ultimate" refugee and immigrant, and as a result the church has a responsibility to love and care for strangers in their land, said Georgia pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention president Bryant Wright during an Oct. 11 chapel message during Heritage Week at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  "The role of government is different. The role of government includes a protection of the citizens, but our role in the church is to love our neighbor," said Wright, who received his M.Div. from Southern Seminary in 1979. "And we are called to do ... Read More

• 40 Days for Life U.S. tour runs through Nov. 6

  by Diana Chandler, posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  

  Photo submitted

  ST PAUL, Minn. (BP) -- As Planned Parenthood marks its centennial, pro-life advocates are participating in the international 40 Days for Life campaign billed as the largest such mobilization in U.S. history.

  A 40 Days for Life United bus tour is a new addition to the 2016 campaign that will include vigils in 367 locations in 270 U.S. cities and more than 20 foreign countries, major campaign sponsor Pro-Life Action Ministries (PLAM) of St. Paul, Minn., said at 40daysforlife.com. Read More

• Pro-lifers grieve Planned Parenthood anniversary

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, October 17, 2016 (7 years ago)

  

  iStock photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Planned Parenthood -- America's leading abortion provider -- celebrated its 100th anniversary Sunday (Oct. 16) to praise from the current president, as well as the frontrunner to be the next president, and protest from pro-life advocates.

  The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) observed its centennial with an event at the City Hall of New York and the launch of #100Years Strong, a year-long celebration marked by more than 150 community events around the world. Read More