Tuesday, May 12, 2020

• State reopening plans a concern for religious liberty, churches

  by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP) -- Southern Baptist pastors in several states are concerned that governmental restrictions on reopening the economy might unduly impact churches.

  Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) Executive Director Nate Adams said many pastors believe the five-phase "Restore Illinois" plan, released May 5 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is too cautious. It limits gatherings to fewer than 50 people until a COVID-19 vaccine or effective treatment is developed. Read More

• Chaplain ministry continues as COVID-19 ravages nation's nursing homes

  by Brandon Elrod, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Submitted photo

  OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) -- One of the most difficult things for Cathy Tisher, a chaplain to three different nursing homes in the Oklahoma City area, is seeing the face of a particular nursing home resident as she conducts regular video calls.

  Tisher knows something that he does not. Roughly three weeks after visitors were prohibited from entering the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, this resident's wife passed away. Read More

• Court ponders church freedom in employment decisions

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  iStock

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has again heard oral arguments on the freedom of churches and other religious institutions to make employment decisions apart from government intrusion.

  The justices pondered the legal conflicts between Catholic schools and two former teachers Monday (May 11), during the second week in which oral arguments have been held by means of a telephone conference amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Read More

• A haven for victims of trafficking in Georgia

  by Scott Barkley/Christian Index, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Photo from Facebook

  ALBANY, Ga. (BP) -- Getting people to talk to you at a hotel known for prostitution and drugs isn't that difficult, says Rhiannon Dobson. All the time, she asserts, people are watching.

  "We'll cruise the parking lots and knock on doors. Everyone wants something for free, man," testifies Dobson, a member of Sherwood Baptist Church and co-founder of Rahab's Haven, a separate ministry that reaches out to the lower-income community, and in particular, those impacted by human trafficking. Read More

• ERLC urges support for nonprofits, vulnerable

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  iStock

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has called on Congress to support nonprofit organizations and particular categories of vulnerable Americans in the next coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package.

  ERLC President Russell Moore wrote congressional leaders May 7 to ask them to include provisions such as a Universal Charitable Deduction (UCD) in what is known as the Phase 4 legislation under consideration in response to the economic loss brought on by the pandemic. The ERLC has been championing the UCD since March, but Congress did not include it in a previous package. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Stewards and donors

  by Jeff Iorg, posted Tuesday, May 12, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  One benefit of a crisis is a forced re-examination of core strategies, Jeff Iorg says. Churches are learning the importance of relying on stewards rather than donors. Read More