Thursday, October 06, 2011

• Supreme Court weighs gov't role in church hiring

  by Jennifer Hatcher, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP)--The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Oct. 5 in a case that could have a serious impact on what the definition of a minister is and who has defining rights.

  The case was brought before the Supreme Court to decide if a teacher "called" to serve at a Lutheran school in Michigan should have been considered a minister at the time she was fired. The deeper issue in the case, however, is whether the federal government should have the authority to interfere and decide for faith-based institutions what defines a minister and who can be hired and fired.

  Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church considered Cheryl Perich a minister when it commissioned her to teach at its school in Redford, Mich. When she became ill, she took a medical leave of absence for diagnosed narcolepsy that was extended for more than six months.

  When Perich returned to the school after her doctor cleared her for work, the school had already hired a replacement teacher and had no available positions. Perich threatened to sue the school for discrimination and was fired for going against the church's teachings that forbid going to outside help to settle disputes.

  The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati overturned a federal judge's decision in a suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and determined Perich's responsibilities did not constitute those of a minister.

  The debate before the Supreme Court focused on what is known as the "ministerial exception," a long-standing principle in the federal courts that prohibits the government from using job discrimination laws against churches and other religious bodies in their hiring and firing of ministers. Read More

• IMB, ERLC urge court to protect church rights

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP)--The rights of churches and other religious organizations to determine their leaders and teachers is protected from government interference by the U.S. Constitution, two Southern Baptist entities said in a brief for a case argued Oct. 5 before the Supreme Court. Read More

• Iran spreading lies about pastor, groups say

  by Staff, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  

  TEHRAN (BP)--Imprisoned Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani "remains in grave danger of execution more now than ever" with a verdict in his case expected Oct. 10, although one watch group fears that the death sentence could be implemented without any prior announcement. Read More

• STEVE JOBS: Christian leaders give thoughts

  by Art Toalston, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- The death of Steve Jobs is a sobering moment for countless millions, Christians included. "His impact is hard to overstate -- his genius and inventions are ubiquitous." Read More

• 18 Hispanic council members named

  by staff, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Members of a Hispanic Advisory Council have been named to work in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, North American Mission Board and other SBC entities toward "more fully integrating Hispanic Baptist churches into the total fabric of Southern Baptist life and ministry."

  The 18-member advisory council will be co-chaired by Daniel Sanchez and Bob Sena.

  Sanchez is professor of missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Semin... Read More

• Relief work leaves mark on Northeast

  by Diana Chandler, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  BOONTON, N.J. (BP) -- A displaced couple in their 90s and a widow forced to live in her car for a week have been among those assisted after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee by the North Jersey Network of the Baptist Convention of New York.

  Network disaster relief directors David and Elaine O'Neill said God's grace has been at work after the storms' onslaught in late August and early September.

  "They're devastated. They're hurting," David O'Neill said of those displaced by the sto... Read More

• Gay group won't try Prop 8 repeal in 2012

  by Staff, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)--Acknowledging that California citizens are not ready to overturn Proposition 8, a leading gay group in the state said Oct. 5 it would not seek to place an initiative on the 2012 ballot redefining marriage.

  The news doesn't mean Prop 8 is safe -- a federal lawsuit is seeking to strike it down -- but it does mean that an initiative is highly unlikely to make it on the ballot without the group's backing.

  The group, Equality California, said in a news release that... Read More

• Dakota Baptists thank DR volunteers

  by Karen L. Willoughby, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (BP) -- The last of the disaster relief volunteers who responded to this summer's massive flooding in Minot, N.D., ended their work on the first day of the Dakota Baptist Convention's annual meeting.

  The DBC's opening session included a time of appreciation for the hundreds of DR-trained feeding, mud-out, shower/laundry and chaplain volunteers from across the nation who showed through statewide media coverage the strength of Southern Baptists cooperating together.

  "Yo... Read More

• WORLDVIEW: Somebody's got it harder than you do

  by Erich Bridges, posted Thursday, October 06, 2011 (8 years ago)

  While many people in America are struggling to pay bills, others in the U.S. and around the world are fighting to stave off hunger. That should drive Christians to generosity, says columnist Erich Bridges. Read More