Protecting Churches from Abuse, Lifeway Women Symposium & Evangelizing with Halloween Activities

Southern Baptist leaders hope a 2019 Texas law passed with bipartisan support may become a model for other states in helping churches pass information among themselves about potential perpetrators of clergy sexual abuse.

The legislation, initially written by Texas pastor and current SBC President Bart Barber, protects charitable organizations, their volunteers and independent contractors from liability when disclosing credible allegations to prospective employers. It passed in the Texas Senate and House without opposition.

The law then became a model for a resolution adopted by messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
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More than 500 women gathered for the Lifeway Women Symposium at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest because they wanted to know God more deeply through His Word.

Lifeway Women hosted the Oct. 14-15 Lifeway Women Symposium as a celebration and commissioning for the kickoff of Lifeway Women Academy, a platform for online, on-demand courses for women, by women. Lifeway Women Academy is designed to fuel the ministry of women around the world and serve as a next step (or first step) for women to grow and learn in their walks with Christ, according to Elizabeth Hyndman, editorial project leader for Lifeway Women Academy.

The Lifeway Women Symposium marked the opening of registration for the first Lifeway Women Academy course. “How to Study the Bible: Hermeneutics 101” is a 10-session video course taught by Jen Wilkin, Julia Higgins and Elizabeth Woodson.

The Lifeway Women Symposium marked the opening of registration for the first Lifeway Women Academy course. “How to Study the Bible: Hermeneutics 101” is a 10-session video course taught by Wilkin, Higgins and Elizabeth Woodson.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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This year, as millions of Americans celebrate Halloween, many Protestant pastors in the United States are encouraging their church members to respond to the holiday in specific ways.

More than 7 in 10 (71 percent) pastors say they encourage church members to invite friends or neighbors to church events on or near Halloween, such as a fall festival, trunk-or-treat or judgment house, according to a Lifeway Research study. Nearly 3 in 5 (58 percent) pastors say they want church members to build relationships with neighbors who trick-or-treat. And 1 in 3 (34 percent) pastors encourage church members to hand out Gospel tracts to trick-or-treaters.

Lifeway Research found just over 1 in 8 (13 percent) say they encourage people in their congregations to avoid Halloween completely.

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