Three stories of God at work through CP • 13-14 | IMB’s David Platt: Pray for Nepal • 5
Volume 109, No. 7
MAY 18, 2015
IB Insider
BIG pic: Shaken, but still singing page 3
Liberty & Justices How the pending marriage ruling becomes a religious freedom issue
Carson withdraws from SBC Pastors’ Conference page 4 ‘This is Your Life’ celebration for long-time DOM page 12 Dave Says: Sell the cars! page 15 Top 5 Christian blogs page 16
News and updates Throughout the week:
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Washington, D.C. | As the U.S. Supreme Court prepared to hear oral arguments April 28 in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, much of the conversation swirled around the ultimate outcome: Will the Court decide this summer that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right? But during the arguments and in subsequent analysis, a new issue emerged, mostly due to an exchange between Justice Samuel Alito and Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli. If the Court legalizes same-sex marriage, will religious institutions—for example, Christian schools—stand to
lose their tax exempt status if they oppose same-sex unions? Verrilli’s response that “it’s certainly going to be an issue” set off warning bells for Christians, churches, schools and other religious organizations that before had been merely waiting for the Court to likely decide in favor of same-sex marriage. Instead, the focus shifted from the Fourteenth Amendment and equal protection under the law, to the First Amendment and freedom of religion. The Court is expected to issue its decision in June, making the Southern Baptist Convention’s focus on prayer
for spiritual awakening in America all the more timely. “Unfortunately, the defense of marriage in our culture has now turned into a defense of religious freedom,” said IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams. “I pray for a miracle in the Supreme Court’s decision in June, for if that doesn’t happen churches will find themselves in a precarious new position. “Even churches that have not been actively engaged in the defense of marriage issue must now be vigilant in defending their freedoms of speech and religious expression.” Continued on page 7
Leadership in focus at Priority Conference By Lisa Sergent
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
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IB Team Report
Let’s all go to
COLUMBUS See stories on pages 8-9
Decatur, Ill. | “You’ve got to minister outside the four walls of your church,” Carmen Halsey told women gathered in Decatur for IBSA’s Priority Women’s Resource Conference. “When we meet a need, we earn the right to share the gospel. We’ve got to be women who are willing to speak and share our stories…Leadership development involves every one of us.” Leadership was the focus of the April 24-25 meeting, formerly known as the Women’s Missions Celebration. More than 430 women representing 108 churches came to Decatur for plenary sessions and breakouts designed to give them tools to put to use in their own churches and communities. Continued on page 11
LOVE IN ACTION – Kimberly Sowell urges women to learn to love people like Jesus did.