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Historic Shem Tov Bible, Sold for $6.9 Million, Highlighted in New Display

A 14th-century Bible that sold for $6.9 million at auction last year is now on display at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. The Shem Tov Bible, purchased by Terri and Andrew Herenstein in 2024 through Sotheby’s auction house in NY.

‘Large Churches Are Growing Larger, While Small Churches Continue to Shrink’
A Lifeway report notes that “the large churches are growing larger and the smaller ones keep getting smaller,” highlighting a growing divide nationwide. While smaller churches face challenges, such as limited staff size and budgets, they also possess advantages.
Iowa Law Enables Students to Receive Religious Education in School
Iowa's Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 870 into law on Friday, allowing parents to send their children to “a course in private religious instruction that is provided by a private organization” during the school day.
PCUSA's New Ordination Standards Raise Concerns Over Control and Exclusion
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has recently completed the final step in approving an amendment to its Book of Order that introduces questioning of clergy candidates regarding their views on LGBT ideology.

SBC Motion to Prohibit Women from Pastoral Roles Fails to Pass

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was defeated in a motion to explicitly prohibit member churches from employing women in any pastor role. Last year, a similar measure to the Law Amendment was narrowly defeated. During the SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, messengers voted on a motion proposed by Juan Sanchez. The motion on the table aimed to revise Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the SBC Constitution.

SBC Rejects Willy Rice's Motion to Abolish the ERLC
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) voted against a motion to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) during its annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. The decision came after a debate, with 3,744 out of 6,581 ballots cast voting to keep the ERLC, representing 56.89% of the vote, while 2,819 votes, or 42.84%, supported abolition.
Clint Pressley Reelected as SBC President, Defeats Protestia's David Morrill
Clint Pressley has been reappointed as President of the Southern Baptist Convention for a second term. At the SBC Annual Meeting held in Dallas, Texas, Pressley secured his victory on the first ballot with 5,567 votes, amounting to 92.64% of the votes cast. Protestia publisher David Morrill received 408 votes, accounting for 6.79% of the vote.
93% of Evangelical Pastors believe in Hell, versus 45% of Mainline Leaders, Survey Finds
Findings from the National Survey of Religious Leaders show variations among clergy regarding fundamental theological issues such as perspectives on the Bible, Hell, miracles, and God's existence. When asked about belief in Hell, 93% of Evangelical pastors expressed certainty, compared to 70% of Catholic priests and 45% of Mainline Protestant leaders.