Bob Smietana

Bob 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.

After Years of Crisis, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Finds Its Path

Years of turmoil had left Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a tarnished reputation and a financial crisis. David Dockery, a low-key new leader, helped right the ship.

Tim Dalrymple Leaves Christianity Today to Become New President of Templeton

Tim Dalrymple, currently the CEO and president of Christianity Today magazine, will become the third president of the Templeton Foundation.

Gareld Duane Rollins, Whose Lawsuit Sparked a Southern Baptist Abuse Reckoning, Has Died

Gareld Duane Rollins, whose lawsuit accusing a legendary Southern Baptist leader of abuse sparked a crisis in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, died Friday (May 23).

New Jersey Church’s Proposed Homeless Shelter Still in Limbo After Zoning Meeting

The future of a proposed homeless shelter at a New Jersey church—and the future of the church itself—remains unclear after a zoning board meeting ended without a vote.

Churches Hope To Tap the Power of Pickleball

Millions of Americans have taken up pickleball, touting its health and social benefits. A growing number of churches want to tap into those benefits—with a side of spirituality.

Can the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Survive Trump 2.0?

Years of controversy during the Trump era have some Southern Baptists arguing that the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is more trouble than it is worth.

A New Jersey Church Wanted To Build a Homeless Shelter. Now the Town Might Take Its Property.

A long-simmering dispute over a proposed homeless shelter at a New Jersey church turned ugly last week, as leaders of Toms River voted to try to seize the church’s property.

Trump Signs Executive Order Creating Religious Liberty Commission

President Donald Trump presided over a National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House on Thursday (May 1), which culminated with the president signing an executive order establishing a new national Religious Liberty Commission.

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