It’s been a heavy week of headlines, with major shifts in denominational leadership and ongoing debates in the public square. Alongside the big stories, there were also powerful reminders of the need for community safety and personal encouragement. Here’s a look at some of the key conversations from the past few days.
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SBC Policy Arm President Resigns Amid Political Tensions
Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), resigned this week following a period of intense criticism. The move comes after the ERLC narrowly survived another attempt to abolish it at the SBC’s annual meeting in June. The resignation highlights the deep, ongoing divisions within the nation’s largest Protestant denomination over its role in politics and culture.
Published: July 31, 2025
https://baptistnews.com/article/leatherwood-quits-erlc/ -
Legal Group Asks Supreme Court to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
A decade after the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, a conservative Christian legal group has petitioned the Supreme Court to review the case of Kim Davis, the former Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Liberty Counsel’s filing is a long-shot effort that aims to get the court to end the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage. The move signals that legal and cultural battles over marriage and religious liberty remain a high priority for many.
Published: July 30, 2025
https://religionnews.com/2025/07/30/evangelical-group-asks-court-to-overturn/ -
Seattle Church Grieves After ‘Evil’ Targeted Shooting of Member
A Seattle church, The Pursuit NW, is in mourning after a new member was shot and killed in what police believe was a targeted attack outside a young adult ministry gathering. Pastor Russell Johnson described the victim as a young father who had recently become a Christian and was turning his life around. The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the local community and serves as a somber call to prayer for the victim’s family and for the safety of houses of worship.
Published: August 4, 2025
Pastor reacts to targeted shooting of church member: ‘It’s evil' | U.S. -
‘Black Spirituality Is What the World Needs Now’
In a powerful op-ed, writer Daryl Grigsby argues that the prophetic tradition of the Black Church is essential for addressing today’s sociopolitical challenges. The piece critiques what it calls the “capitulation of Christianity to White nationalism” and calls on believers to draw on their rich history of faith-fueled activism. It’s a challenging read that urges the church to bridge the gap between personal piety and social justice.
Published: August 4, 2025
Black spirituality is what the world needs now. -
A Call to ‘Gather the Lame’ and Find Strength in Weakness
In a devotional drawing from the story of Jesus healing the man with a withered hand, David Faust reflects on how we all have areas of weakness and brokenness. The article suggests the church is meant to be a “great gathering of the lame,” a place where people who recognize their own need find strength in Christ. It’s a reminder that God’s love isn’t for the perfect, but for all who stretch out their hand to him.
Published: August 4, 2025
Gathering the Lame - Christian Standard
Tools & Tips
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For Deeper Study: Logos Bible Study App
For those who want to go beyond just reading the text, the Logos app is a powerhouse. It’s like having a theological library in your pocket, with access to commentaries, original language tools, and cross-references. It’s perfect for small group leaders, Sunday school teachers, or anyone who wants to dig deep into a passage. -
For a More Consistent Prayer Life: Echo Prayer
It’s easy to say “I’ll pray for you” and then forget. Echo Prayer helps solve that problem by letting you keep a running list of your prayer requests and set reminders. You can even share lists with a small group, making it a simple, practical tool for making prayer a more intentional part of your daily life.
Fun Fact
Did you know an ancient Christian symbol might be hidden in a mysterious Latin word square? The ‘ROTAS-SATOR’ square, found in locations from England to Mesopotamia and even in the ruins of Pompeii (pre-A.D. 79), contains letters that can be rearranged to form ‘PATERNOSTER’ (Latin for ‘Our Father’) twice in the shape of a cross. The only letters left over are ‘A’ and ‘O’—representing Alpha and Omega, a title for Christ.
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Christian events or utilized new faith-based tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.