Monday, June 15, 2020

• FIRST PERSON: 'Seismic implications' for religious liberty, church in SCOTUS ruling

  by Russell Moore, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore examines implications for religious liberty and the church following the Supreme Court's Title VII ruling Monday (June 15) on gender identity and discrimination. Read More

• Church renewing challenge to Nevada's COVID-19 attendance cap

  by Scott Sonner, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Unsplash photo/Sincerely Media

  RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A rural Nevada Baptist church is trying to renew its unsuccessful bid to strike down the state's 50-person cap on religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  The state's failure to enforce social-distancing guidelines in voter lines during the June 9 primary election was further proof churches are being singled out in violation of the U.S. Constitution, Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley contends. Read More

• Supreme Court rules in favor of gay, transgender rights

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Supreme Court photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a watershed decision on gay and transgender rights today (June 15) by finding longstanding, non-discrimination protections in federal workplace law cover "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

  The justices ruled in a 6-3 opinion the category "sex" in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act applies to homosexual and transgender employees. Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch -- typically among the high court's more conservative members -- joined the four-member liberal wing in the majority. Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Read More

• Racial unrest ushers in Gospel-centered college evangelism, discipleship

  by Tobin Perry/Southern Baptist Texan, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Southern Baptist Texan photo

  AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- Mitchell Johnson, The Austin Stone Community Church collegiate pastor, has addressed the nation's racial turmoil by offering his students biblical insight on the topic.

  Johnson, along with other church leaders throughout the United States charged with leading and mentoring college students, hasn’t had the option to ignore racial topics over the last month. Students have often been at the forefront of the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death on May 25. Read More

• SBC DIGEST: ETS Executive Committee issues 'Gospel and Racism' statement; ETBU celebrates spring 2020 commencement with onsite and virtual services

  by Staff/Sydney McBride, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  SBC DIGEST: ETS Executive Committee issues 'Gospel and Racism' statement; ETBU celebrates Spring 2020 commencement with onsite and virtual services Read More

• SEBTS trustees cut tuition, salaries in COVID-19 economic downturn

  by Staff, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Biblical Recorder photo

  WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) -- Responding to the economic downturn prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive committee of the board of trustees of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary approved a budget for 2020-21 that includes cuts of 3 percent, including staff salary reductions -- but also a 5 percent tuition reduction.

  The decision was made during a virtual meeting Monday (June 15). During its spring meeting in April, the board of trustees voted to allow the final budget approval to be postponed in order for SEBTS officials to have a better understanding of the overall economic and enrollment impact of the pandemic. Read More