Wednesday, May 20, 2015

• 'Family Guy' jokes called 'troubling'

  by Staff, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  LOS ANGELES (BP) -- The "Family Guy" animated comedy series increasingly jokes about sexual violence against children and teens, with nearly 80 percent of all such scenes in the past three years perpetrated against that population group, a Parent Television Council (PTC) study found.

  Jokes or humorous depictions of rape, statutory rape, molestation or pedophilia against children were included in 91 percent of the series' scenes depicting sexual violence in the 2014–2015 season, up from 75 percent in 2012-2013, according to the PTC study. Read More

• Pastors' wives need outside support

  by Erin Roach, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  BP file photo by Adam Covington

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pastors' wives overall are happy with their roles, but it's imperative that they build a support network outside the church for seasons of conflict, a study of pastors' wives found.

  Amy Stumpf, professor of religion and society at California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif., and a pastor's wife herself, was stirred to study Southern Baptist pastors' wives after she read a Time magazine article lamenting the unique struggles of being married to a pastor. Read More

• Jindal signs executive order for religious liberty

  by Philip Timothy & Brian Blackwell/Baptist Message, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  BATON ROUGE, La. (BP) -- Hours after a religious freedom bill was struck down in committee Tuesday (May 20), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal quickly signed an executive order that afternoon which appeared to capture the intent and much of the language of the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience Act. Read More

• Missions fuels Jimmy Draper scholarship recipient

  by Aaron Earls, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Photo provided by LifeWay

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Not long after LifeWay Christian Stores associate Anna Dible began asking customers if they would like to purchase a Bible to send to South Asia, she asked God a question as well: "Can I go?"

  Dible believes God called her to go and used her selection as the recipient of LifeWay's Jimmy Draper Mission Scholarship to make it possible. Read More

• Ethnic summit seeks to reach diverse population

  by K. Faith Morgan, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Photo by John Swain/NAMB

  ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- People-group ministry is often viewed as an international concern, but the executive leadership at the North American Mission Board is seeking to highlight this ministry's importance and develop the scope of Southern Baptist people-group efforts in North America.

  "The ethnic population is growing faster than the Anglo population in the United States," said NAMB senior assistant to the president, Kim Robinson. About 58 percent of the new churches added to the Southern Baptist Convention in 2013 and 2014 are reported to be minority congregations, he noted. Read More

• Statewide day of prayer planned in S.C.

  by Staff/Baptist Courier, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (BP) -- Evangelicals from across the state of South Carolina plan to gather at the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center for a day of prayer and fasting called by Gov. Nikki Haley.

  The June 13 event, "The Response South Carolina: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis," will mirror a similar emphasis on prayer to be held during this year's Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 16-17 in Columbus, Ohio. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Blooming blessings

  by Diana Davis, posted Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (9 years ago)

  Columnist Diana Davis writes about how flowers can be used to minister to others. "Whether you have a rose garden, hydrangeas, or a favorite local florist -- it's remarkable how a simple flower can provide a tangible reminder of His love," Davis writes. Read More