IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

Culture

Greear urges ‘bold’ steps to prevent abuse, care for survivors

By

In an address before the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, SBC President J.D. Greear called for lamenting and repentance over sexual abuse perpetrated by church leaders and volunteers, and called the denomination to greater accountability at every level. He also advocated that the SBC’s governing documents be amended to address the definition of a “cooperating […]

Pritzker expands abortion coverage

By

Updated 2/6/19 Springfield | Surrounded by state officials and Planned Parenthood representatives, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Jan. 22 to enforce a law directing state employee health insurance plans to include abortion services. Pritzker’s order directs the Department of Central Management Services to review all state employee health insurance plans for any barriers […]

Trending: Social justice debate raises larger questions

By

Editor’s note: Each year, the Illinois Baptist team explores the trends that shaped 2018, and forecasts their effect on the coming year. At face value, “social justice” doesn’t read like a particularly controversial term. It can ruffle feathers in church life, though, especially when connected to a social gospel that downplays repentance. After the Ethics […]

Trending: Gaining grounds on old divides

By

Editor’s note: Each year, the Illinois Baptist team explores the trends that shaped 2018, and forecasts their effect on the coming year. The last few years have seen an increase in the number of public conversations Baptists are having about race. Sparked in large part by shootings of unarmed black men by law enforcement, churches […]

Trending: New justices differ on key issues

By

Editor’s note: Each year, the Illinois Baptist team explores the trends that shaped 2018, and forecasts their effect on the coming year. In a year that saw a vicious, partisan fight over a U.S. Supreme Court nominee with a pro-life record, many were surprised by that new justice’s decision in a life-related case. The Court […]