Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a national reporter for RNS based near Chicago, covering evangelicals, weird religion and the changing religious landscape. He is the author of “Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters.” Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for RNS and contributor to OnFaith, USA Today and The Washington Post. He is best known for his coverage of Islam and Islamophobia, including his comprehensive reporting on the Murfreesboro mosque conflict, and of evangelical Christianity, including the emotional journey of Pearl Joy Brown’s family as well as the Willow Creek Community Church scandal.
All Stories by Bob Smietana
California Baptists cut staff, citing decline in Cooperative Program Giving
By Bob Smietana — July 3, 2024
(RNS) — Overall giving to the SBC’s national funding program is down about 2%.
Dying of cancer, Amy Low finds meaning in the mundane of life
By Bob Smietana — June 27, 2024
(RNS) — In a new memoir, writer and cancer patient Amy Low describes the lessons she's learned while facing her mortality.
Why the swing state faith voters who really matter in 2024 aren’t evangelicals
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — June 25, 2024
(RNS) — MAGA evangelicals grab all the headlines. But it’s swing state faith voters — Catholics, mainliners and Black Protestants — who will likely decide the election.
The author of ‘Jesus Calling’ died last year. Why is a denomination investigating her?
By Bob Smietana — June 20, 2024
(RNS) — At a recent PCA meeting, critics of ‘Jesus Calling,’ written by Sarah Young, called for an investigation to see if the book was safe for Christians to read.
Paul Pressler, SBC legend accused of abuse, is dead at 94
By Bob Smietana — June 15, 2024
(RNS) — Pressler was one of the architects of the ‘Conservative Resurgence’ that took over the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s and 1990s. He was later accused of sexual abuse.
Southern Baptists pass resolution calling for strictures to curb IVF
By Bob Smietana — June 13, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (RNS) — At their annual meeting, Southern Baptists joined the recently renewed debate over in vitro fertilization, passing a resolution calling for restrictions on the practice. Some leaders went further, condemning the procedure as immoral.
The future of SBC abuse reform is now in the hands of denominational committee
By Bob Smietana — June 12, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (RNS) — A volunteer task force said it did not have the funds or influence needed to make abuse reforms stick. Now local church messengers have asked the SBC’s Executive Committee to take on the task.
North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley elected SBC president
By Bob Smietana — June 12, 2024
(RNS) — Pressley, a North Carolina megachurch pastor, was elected after a pair of runoffs.
The Southern Baptists are meeting in Indianapolis. Here’s why it matters.
By Bob Smietana — June 10, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (RNS) — More than 11,000 church members are expected to gather in Indianapolis for one of the largest, most influential church meetings of the year.
Church led by SBC candidate Clint Pressley reports volunteer to police for alleged abuse
By Bob Smietana — June 9, 2024
(RNS ) — Hickory Grove Baptist Church pastor Clint Pressley said that a student at the church's school reported the abuse, which was reported to police and child protection officials.
SBC abuse reform task force ends its work with no names on database and no long-term plan
By Bob Smietana — June 4, 2024
(RNS) — Their report marks the second time a proposed database for abusive pastors has been derailed.
Meet the six preachers who want to lead the Southern Baptist Convention
By Bob Smietana — June 4, 2024
(RNS) — The SBC presidency is perhaps the most influential volunteer religious job in the country. Though unpaid, the SBC president has a bully pulpit to tout his beliefs and shape the leadership of the nation's largest Protestant denomination.
Southern Baptist ethics committee says IVF is immoral, tells Christians to oppose it
By Bob Smietana — June 3, 2024
(RNS) — Echoing Catholic teaching, ERLC President Brent Leatherwood says the procedure causes moral harm and separates procreation from sex.
SBC seminary says former staffer ordered sex assault report destroyed
By Bob Smietana — May 29, 2024
(RNS) — The president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary says former chief of staff Heath Woolman told another staffer to make the report of a sexual assault ‘go away.’
Church places Matt Queen, former SBC seminary leader, on leave after federal charges
By Bob Smietana — May 28, 2024
(RNS) — Leaders at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church said they support their pastor’s pledge to cooperate with authorities and will monitor the situation.
