Baptist Press Archive

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Download All Stories

  • SWBTS trustees move forward, uphold Patterson firing
    by David Roach, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    Photo by Adam Covington/SWBTS
    FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- In a meeting characterized by unity despite differences of opinion, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's trustees voted to uphold the trustee executive committee's decision in May to terminate former president Paige Patterson.

    Trustees revisited Patterson's termination at their Oct. 15-17 meeting based on a motion, referred to Southwestern by the Southern Baptist Convention in June, "that the whole board of trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary consider revisiting their original decision concerning Dr. Paige Patterson."

    The board also heard a report from its presidential search committee and affirmed an administration decision to discipline a faculty member -- though the faculty member was not named during the board's one public session. Read More

  • Atlanta accepts $1.2M settlement with Kelvin Cochran
    by Art Toalston, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    BP file photo
    ATLANTA (BP) -- The Atlanta city council has agreed to a $1.2 million settlement with former fire chief Kelvin Cochran over his January 2015 termination for his views about marriage and sexuality.

    The city council voted 11-3 after an executive session Monday (Oct. 15) during which city attorneys recommended a settlement and legal fees negotiated with the religious liberty organization Alliance Defending Freedom, which has handled Cochran's court case, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

    Beyond the city council's decision, Cochran told Baptist Press on Oct. 17, God has been faithful through what he calls "the fiery trial."

    He has had numerous opportunities to give his testimony in worship services and to speak at men's meetings and conferences. He also completed a doctorate in interdisciplinary leadership in May through Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Read More

  • Students join hurricane relief efforts in N.C.

    by Laura Sikes, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    Photo by Laura Sikes/NAMB
    NEW BERN, N.C. (BP) -- When an East Carolina University cross country team found they had an off weekend from running, they decided to go and help survivors of Hurricane Florence. They joined a college-wide effort to help Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers serve in the hard-hit New Bern, N.C., area.

    Last Saturday (Oct. 6), 23 team members carpooled using their own vehicles and made the 45-minute drive from their college campus in Greenville, N.C. They assisted with a tear-out of a home that had taken on more than two feet of floodwater after the Neuse River overflowed its banks. After receiving an SBDR orientation along with additional training from the college, the students followed an SBDR team that had begun the tear-out the day before. Read More

  • LifeWay Store to be 'more than a place to buy a book'
    by Aaron Wilson, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    Photo by Randy Hughes
    FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) -- Guests who come to a newly remodeled LifeWay Christian Store in the Nashville area will be greeted with a new message adorning the side of the building: "Fearfully and wonderfully made."

    While the phrase from Psalm 139:14 refers to God's glory reflected in the human body, it's also fitting given the intentionality LifeWay has brought to the fresh concept meant to redefine the in-store experience.

    "Our objective in the redesign was to create a space that's more than just a place to buy a book or a gift," said Shawnna Simpson, director of store experience. "We wanted to create a place where people can explore, discover and connect -- a place focused on helping customers navigate their faith journey." Read More

  • ERLC panel: Openness about brokenness needed
    by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    Photo by Karen McCutcheon
    GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) -- Christians need to be more open about their personal and family brokenness to give hope to those inside and outside the church, panelists said Oct. 12 during the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's annual national conference.

    The panel addressed "The Sin-shattered Family: Gospel Hope for Broken Families and Broken Homes" during a main session of the conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. About 950 people attended the three-day event -- titled "The Cross-shaped Family" -- that concluded Oct. 13. Read More

  • 'More Than Funny' film blends comedy, inspiration
    by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    FRISCO, Texas (BP) -- A prayer Michael Jr. uttered in advance of a stand-up comedy routine changed the Christian comedian's perception of his purpose. Comedy is not about getting laughs, he noted, but it's about giving.

    The epiphany a decade ago in Los Angeles opened for Michael Jr. a world of volunteerism and ministry alongside comedy that birthed the one-night-only film "More Than Funny," showing in 600 U.S. theaters Oct. 18.

    More Than Funny weaves three stories of hope, giving and deliverance with Michael Jr.'s clean, inspirational comedy that has enjoyed platforms as varied as churches, the Kendrick brothers' "War Room," "The Tonight Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and fortune 500 company keynotes.

    More Than Funny calls on audiences to meet the overlooked needs of others in their own communities, using God-given gifts Michael Jr. calls "set ups" to supply others' needs with outreaches he calls "punchlines." Read More

  • FIRST-PERSON: Our schedules, an idol?
    by Terry Dorsett, posted Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (4 years ago)

    An overcrowded schedule, Terry Dorsett writes, can leave people distant from God and "busier than ever but with little or nothing to show for it." Read More