NASHVILLE (BP) – This year’s most read stories are all over the map – one quite literally. From one scholar’s attempt to trace human DNA around the world and back to Noah to an SEC quarterback’s biblical children’s book to the Southern Baptist Convention’s ongoing reckoning with sexual abuse, Baptist Press covered a little bit of everything this year.
Here are the stories people read the most.
1. SBC leaders respond to DOJ investigation
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has been informed that the United States Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the SBC that will include “multiple SBC entities,” according to an Aug. 12 statement from all SBC entity leaders and SBC President Bart Barber.
2. Tennessee quarterback and brother use NIL money to produce children’s book on Scripture
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Before he became the Heisman frontrunner leading the most feared offense in college football for the nation’s top-ranked team, Hendon Hooker thought it would be nice to write a children’s book.
3. FIRST-PERSON: Three thoughts on ‘Let’s go, Brandon!’
It all started at an October 2 NASCAR race at Talladega. The winner of the race, Brandon Brown, was being interviewed by an NBC Sports reporter as the crowd behind him began to chant. At first, the chant was unintelligible, but eventually, it became clear that the crowd was chanting a vulgar phrase directed at Joe Biden.
4. Global family tree ‘traced’ to Noah’s sons through Y chromosome
HEBRON, Ky. (BP) — One question puzzled Answers in Genesis researcher and biologist Nathaniel T. Jeanson for decades: What was going on in pre-Columbus America before Europeans arrived?
5. Key leaders named in Guidepost report respond
NASHVILLE (BP) – The names of numerous Southern Baptist leaders appeared throughout the lengthy report made available May 22 by Guidepost Solutions on the subject of sexual abuse allegations and the SBC Executive Committee. Although at differing levels of involvement today, each factored into the investigation’s scope of Jan. 1, 2000, through June 14, 2021.
6. Hunt resigns from NAMB, named in Guidepost report
ALPHARETTA (BP) – Longtime pastor and SBC leader Johnny Hunt resigned from his position at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) on May 13, according to a statement from NAMB President Kevin Ezell. Hunt served as the senior vice president of evangelism and leadership since August 2018. He led prominent Southern Baptist church First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., from 1986 until his appointment at NAMB.
7. Matt Chandler to take leave of absence following ‘inappropriate messaging’
FLOWER MOUND, Texas (BP) – The Village Church announced Sunday (Aug. 28) that lead pastor Matt Chandler will take a leave of absence from teaching and preaching following his admission to “inappropriate messaging” with a woman on Instagram.
8. Church music landscape rearranged as big publishers close
NASHVILLE (BP) – When it announced last month it was shutting down, Brentwood Benson became the latest in a line of major church music publishers closing their doors. Last year saw the bankruptcy of Lorenz Corp., which had purchased choral giant Word Music in 2017. Then a few months ago, Lifeway released its last box of new choral offerings for churches.
9. Bengals kicker no stranger to big stage
FORT PAYNE, Ala. (BP) – Long before his heroics Saturday night put the Cincinnati Bengals into their first AFC Championship game in 34 years, Evan McPherson had delivered under the lights.
10. BGCT considering change in relationship with Baylor
PLANO, Texas (BP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas is seeking to “review and consider changes” to the special agreement that defines its relationship with Baylor University.
