On This Date at MinistryWatch

Privacy protection laws passed, FaithfulGive, J.D. Hall arrested, Saddleback Church ordains women pastors

ONE YEAR AGO: On May 9, 2024, MinistryWatch reported that Georgia became the 19th state in the U.S. to pass a law protecting the privacy of members, donors, and volunteers of nonprofit groups. The Personal Privacy Protection Act, signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, prohibits a public agency in the state from compelling a nonprofit organization to release personal information of its donors or volunteers. Read more here.

TWO YEARS AGO: On May 8, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that Christian groups had pulled out of participating in the Lancaster County Community Foundation’s ExtraGive event over concerns about its nondiscrimination and anti-hate policies. An alternative known as FaithfulGive was organized for Fall 2023 and raised over $700,000 in its first year. Read more here.

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THREE YEARS AGO:  On May 17, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that Montana Baptist Pastor J.D. Hall, who has spent years critiquing pastors and warning of liberal drift within evangelical churches, was arrested on DUI and weapons charges. According to a copy of the initial offense report obtained by Religion News Service, Hall was charged at 11 p.m. with driving under the influence and carrying a concealed weapon while intoxicated. The DUI charge is a first offense, according to the report. A Sidney police officer observed Hall driving in a bike lane and pulled him over. Two months later, Fellowship Baptist Church rescinded his membership. Read more here.

FOUR YEARS AGO: On May 11, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention at the time and home to influential Pastor Rick Warren, ordained three women as staff pastors, a move that critics said violated the denomination’s statement of faith. In June 2023, the SBC affirmed its decision to expel Saddleback Church from the denomination because of its decisions to employ women pastors. Read more here.

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