IBSA News

Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

News

ERLC urges church cooperation with contract tracing

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Churches should partner with government officials to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while receiving First Amendment protections as they cooperate, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said in a new statement. The ERLC issued a document July 10 that provides guidance to church and civic leaders regarding the effort to protect […]

Pandemic response: Disaster Relief provides disinfectant, meals, masks, and more

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Hannibal, Mo. | As a Southern Baptist university in Missouri prepared to welcome back students this fall, the school got an assist from Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers, who provided disinfectant, soap, laundry supplies, and 6,000 face masks. “They were extremely grateful and said the disinfectant would be a great help as they prepare […]

IBSA Annual Meeting shortened, moved to Tabernacle, Decatur

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Springfield | The IBSA Board voted to move the 2020 Annual Meeting and shorten the event to one day to accommodate concerns presented by the Coronavirus pandemic. The meeting will be Wednesday, November 4, at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. There will be no exhibit hall or ancillary meetings. Leaders of the IBSA Pastors’ Conference […]

Supreme Court hands down key wins for religious liberty

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Washington, D.C. | The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued two 7-2 rulings related to religious liberty that could have impact on Southern Baptists in Illinois. The first involved Catholic schools facing discrimination lawsuits from teachers. The Court found the employees performed religious duties in their work and therefore fall under the ministerial exception rule, which […]