Thursday, September 08, 2016

• Study: Skip endorsements in church, say most Americans

  by Bob Smietana, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Since the 1950s, the IRS has banned preachers from endorsing candidates during church services. According to a new study, most Americans seem to like it that way.

  Eight in 10 (79 percent) say it is inappropriate for pastors to endorse a candidate in church. Three-quarters say churches should steer clear of endorsements. Yet fewer than half want churches to be punished if they do endorse candidates. Those are among the findings in a new report on religion and politics from LifeWay Research. Read More

• Fla. volunteers tending to post-Hermine needs

  by Barbara Denman, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  

  Josh Gussler photo

  HOMOSASSA, Fla. (BP) -- When weather forecasters predicted Hurricane Hermine would bring a tidal surge of about three feet from the Gulf of Mexico's churning waters, pastor Alan Ritter thought First Baptist Church in Homosassa would be safe from damage several miles inland.

  But Ritter faced the worst with little time for preparation when late-breaking news of the storm suggested a seven-foot tidal surge would hit the community located on the Homosassa River. Read More

• Pastors' Conf. nominees sought; NOBTS to partner with event

  by Staff, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  PHOENIX (BP) -- The 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference in Phoenix is expected to highlight the contributions of the convention's smaller churches and celebrate the diverse landscape that makes up the SBC. To that end, Pastors' Conference officers are seeking nominations for event speakers who represent these churches. Read More

• Columbine martyr film seeks bold youth revival

  by Diana Chandler, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- When two fellow classmates approached Rachel Joy Scott on the lawn of Columbine High School and questioned her belief in Jesus, she affirmed her faith and was shot to death at point-blank range.

  The story of her martyrdom has been told perhaps countless times in books, sermons and interviews in the past nearly 20 years, but Pure Flix Entertainment hopes its upcoming film of Scott's 17 years on earth inspires students nationally to accept and boldly proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. Read More

• Pro-family group petitions Canadian Parliament

  by Julia A. Seymour/WORLD News Service, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  CANADA (BP) -- A conservative, pro-family women's group in Canada wants greater protections for Christians' religious freedom and rights of conscience.

  REAL Women of Canada says religious freedom has eroded as Canada has sanctioned things like gay marriage, so the group recently launched a petition to present to Parliament. Read More

• Bible Study: September 11, 2016

  by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. Read More

• MOVIES: Gene Wilder & Dad

  by Phil Boatwright, posted Thursday, September 08, 2016 (6 years ago)

  Phil Boatwright, sparked by the death of Gene Wilder, thinks of his dad who died four years earlier. Though P.D. Boatwright's passing didn't make the news, his son remembers a father who was "devout in his faith, loyal in his marriage, gifted in sales and caring of others." Read More