WACO, Texas (ABP) — Rural churches, particularly those within driving distance of a seminary or denominational college or university, often become training grounds for ministerial staff. “Some churches see that as their ministry,” noted Judy Battles, coordinator for pastoral ministries…
Rural Churches: Strong sense of community gives churches new life
(ABP) — America’s rural churches were built upon and grew from a strong sense of community. Although many of rural congregations are in decline now, that community reliance may be the key to spiritual renewal and to thriving ministry. Some…
Rural Churches: Dwindling population base presents challenges
(ABP) — Rural churches in America face a host of challenges as they seek to continue ministry in their communities. The continued population shift from rural areas to urban centers can drain rural churches, noted Chuck Warnock, an expert in…
European Baptist leaders OK plan to move Prague seminary
ROME (ABP) — The elegant complex of 19th-century buildings that houses the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, Czech Republic, will likely be sold now that European Baptist Federation leaders have green-lighted a plan to move the seminary as a…
Baptist historians affirm individual conscience
ATLANTA (ABP) — A group of Baptist historians that meets annually to read and discuss early Baptist writings endorsed a statement Sept. 27 affirming the role of individual conscience in Baptist life. Fourteen members of the "Baptist Classics Seminar" group…
Baptist leaders hail Nagaland peace pact
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Baptist leaders hailed a pledge by top leaders of Nagaland's three rival political factions to cease hostilities that have for decades beset the heavily Baptist state in northeastern India. John Sundquist, retired director of International…
Chaplain: Executed woman was true to faith until end
JARRATT, Va. (ABP) — For Lynn Litchfield, the former chaplain at Virginia’s Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, the past few weeks have been a heartbreaking build-up to the execution of Teresa Lewis. On Sept. 23, Lewis became the first woman…
World leaders cite progress, challenges at UN poverty summit
NEW YORK (ABP) — World leaders voiced deep concern about the impact of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression on international anti-poverty goals at a three-day summit at the United Nations Sept. 20-22. An outcome document for the…
Texas religious leaders denounce Islamic-bias-in-textbooks resolution
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — A group of Texas clergy, including some Baptist pastors, is speaking out against a proposed resolution that a state governing board may use to embroil itself yet again in the nation’s culture wars – this time…