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This Week's Highlights

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Saturday, June 15, 2013

SBC's Fred Luter: While We Are Arguing About Theology, Lost People Are Going to Hell
In an impassioned sermon during his first opportunity to address the Southern Baptist Convention after being re-elected as president for a second term, Fred Luter, Jr. said the time for debating and arguing over theological differences among church members could be used instead to reach out to non-believers.

More 'This Is the End' Type Movies Released; Why the Apocalyptic Fascination?
The release this week of the movie "This Is the End" coupled with Hollywood's intensifying love affair with apocalyptic-type films gave some pastors in the Staten Island, NY, area a chance to answer a local reporter's question, "Why the fascination?"

Willow Creek Community Church's new Care Center.

Willow Creek Community Church Unveils Massive $10M Care Center
Willow Creek Community Church, founded nearly 40 years ago by Senior Pastor Bill Hybels as an "Acts 2 church," has opened the doors of its new 60,000 square-foot, $10 million Care Center in South Barrington, Ill., to provide thousands of local families continued access to a grocery store-styled food pantry, car repair and donation services, dental and optometry clinics, legal assistance and a whole lot more.

CHURCH & MINISTRIES

So. Baptists Vote for Members to 'Prayerfully Assess' Boy Scouts of America Relationship

The Southern Baptist Convention voted Wednesday to approve a resolution that expresses the denomination's "opposition to and disappointment in the decision of the Boy Scouts of America to change its membership policy" to allow openly-homosexual members. The resolution does not require churches and families to sever their ties with the BSA, though it does ask that they "prayerfully assess their continued relationship" with the organization, and to "work toward a reversal of this new membership policy."

Va. Megachurch Entangled in Leadership Sex Scandal Recruits Adviser Jonathan Falwell

(Photo: facebook/Richmond Outreach Center) Founding pastor of the The Richmond Outreach Center in Virginia, Geronimo Aguilar. Despite resignations from four of its five pastors last week over an explosive sexual scandal haunting its former founding pastor, members of Virginia's Richmond Outreach Center (ROC) church are soldiering on with the help of Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.

Pastor Jim Bolin Restored to Trinity Chapel After 2008 Sex Scandal

Bishop Jim Bolin, founding pastor of Trinity Chapel Church of God in Powder Springs, Ga., was re-installed this past Sunday as senior pastor of the congregation after being forced to step down in 2008 due to confessed "inappropriate sexual behavior" with an adult woman.

U.S.

Former Lesbian Professor Says Leaving LGBT Community Had 'Horrible, Mangling Impact'

A former lesbian professor once contemptuous of Christianity has stated that leaving the LGBT community had a "horrible, mangling impact."

Richard Land: Future of America Depends on What Saved People Do

The torch for defending biblical truth and practice represented by the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has been passed from its leader of 25 years, Richard Land, to evangelical theologian Russell Moore. The occasion was marked with a special tribute to Land and an address by Moore to more than 4,400 members attending the SBC's annual meeting this week in Houston.

Conservative Groups Upset After Obama Administration Concedes in Plan B Battle

Conservative groups are upset today after the Obama administration stopped fighting to keep age restrictions on the sale of Plan B, commonly called "the morning after pill," on Monday.

WORLD

Christian Human Rights Group IJM Helps Free 273 Slaves From India Brick Factories

Christian human rights organization International Justice Mission has helped free 273 forced laborers in the nation of India this week in what is the second-largest anti-slavery operation that IJM has been involved in.

Pope Francis Meets Anglican Head Justin Welby; Christian Leaders Talk Differences, Friendship

Pope Francis, the leader of the 1.2 billion-large Roman Catholic Church, met for the first time on Friday The Most Rev. Justin Welby, the head of the 80-million strong Anglican Communion, as the two Christian leaders talked about the differences, the similarities, and the road ahead for the two traditions.

Documentary Puts Russian Adoption Ban in Perspective

A new documentary that follows the lives of three Russian orphans adopted by American parents will be screened at the Moscow International Film Festival. The filmmaker, Sarah McCarthy, is trying to raise money to show the film across Russia in the hopes that it will build support to end the ban on Russian adoptions to the United States.

POLITICS

'I'm Done' If Gay Amendment Included in Immigration Reform Bill, Says Marco Rubio

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who helped draft the immigration reform bill currently being discussed in the Senate, says he will walk away from the negotiations if it includes a controversial amendment to provide immigration benefits for gay couples.

Interview: Samuel Rodriguez on Reconciling Billy Graham and Martin Luther King, Jr.

A new social movement is needed in the Church in America that reconciles Billy Graham's message with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s march, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez argues in his new book, The Lamb's Agenda: Why Jesus is Calling You to a Life of Righteousness and Justice.

'Women's Rights' Effort in New York Stalls Over Gosnell-Like Late-Term Abortion Fears

New York lawmakers tussle over Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 10-point "Women's Equality Act" that includes a provision to expand late-term abortions and would allow "any health care provider" to perform abortions, thus increasing the number of high-risk late-term abortions in a state that already has the highest rate of abortions in the United States, according to Serrin Foster, president of Feminists for Life.

ENTERTAINMENT

'Man of Steel' Producer Talks Film's Christian Themes, All-Star Cast and Justice League

"Man of Steel" hits theaters this weekend bringing Superman back to the big screen for the first time since 2006.

Gospel Industry Veteran Donna Creer and Husband Killed in 'Suspicious' Fire

Donna Creer, a major influential figure in the gospel music industry, died in her bed early Wednesday morning along with her husband, Donald Creer, after a suspected arsonist set fire to their home.

Holly Tucker Hopes 'The Voice' Will Be Launchpad to Country Music Stardom

Holly Tucker made it to the top-six slot on NBC's megahit vocal competition "The Voice" before being eliminated on the June 4 episode, and says she has plans to capitalize on her recent fame and vocal training from coach Blake Shelton, and is ready to get her music out to the masses.

OPINION

Obama 'Strongly Objects' to Religious Liberty Amendment

The Obama Administration "strongly objects" to a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have protected the religious rights of soldiers – including evangelical Christian service members who are facing growing hostility towards their religion.

Episcopal Bishop Completes Circle of Religious Inclusion

The philosophy of religious inclusion flows in a circle. It was crafted at a point in time by an extremely intelligent being, and it always circles back around to its founder. The logical progression of this worldview must ultimately flow back around to the one who dreamt it up.

Removing Church Pews for Muslim Prayer Mats in the Name of Religious Tolerance

The University of Chicago is in the news for an overtly politically correct act for replacing its historic Bond Chapel's pews for Muslims to worship.