IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

Reporter’s Notebook

What would Jesus resolve?

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There was a moment in the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville that caught the attention of messengers in the hall and watchers online, not because of its verbal content, but for its optics, as they say. The presiding officer recognized microphone number three. A voice began his introduction, a pastor from Florida. When his image […]

Reporter’s Notebook: Litton strikes pastoral tone early in his presidency

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At a microphone in Nashville, Southern Baptists got a first look at Ed Litton’s leadership style. It was during the report of Southern Seminary’s Al Mohler that Litton’s voice unexpectedly filled the room during a Q&A. But Litton didn’t have a question. Rather, he rose to express his respect for Mohler, one of the candidates […]

Reporter’s Notebook: Legal pot’s a bad deal for Illinois

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The State of Illinois reported customers spent nearly $3.2 million on legal marijuana at 37 dispensaries on January 1, 2020 – the first day in the state’s history recreational use became legal. More than 77,000 people purchased the drug from dispensaries, which also sell medical cannabis, that are spread throughout the state except for nine […]

Reporter’s Notebook: 3 views from Marion

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As you prepare to turn the page to our coverage of 2019 Annual Meeting, please consider these observations from our reporting team in Marion. It’s a brief look at our yearly big Baptist family reunion.  The Meeting that almost wasn’t Some years, the Annual Meeting theme emerges quickly, and with it the content to populate […]

If ever the SBC needed leadership…

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We might feel sorry for the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Three of our leading SBC entities are without presidents, and the incoming convention president will find himself leading in the aftermath of a firestorm. At least we hope it’s the aftermath. One resigned because of personal moral failure (Frank Page of the […]