ATLANTA (ABP) — A $1 million grant is funding a new center at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology that aims to create a new paradigm for transitioning new ministers from the academic setting into the realities of local-church ministry….
U.S. religious groups square off over bill imposing new Iran sanctions
WASHINGTON (ABP) — With a key vote looming in the House of Representatives, religious leaders weighed in on both sides of the debate over new sanctions against Iran. Thirty-four conservative religious leaders, including the Southern Baptist Convention's top lobbyist, wrote…
D.C. set to become 6th jurisdiction in U.S. with legal same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The District of Columbia Council voted overwhelmingly — and despite vocal protests from a coalition of conservative evangelicals and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington — to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital Dec. 15. Anthony…
National race track chaplaincy group to relocate to Kentucky
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) — A national chaplaincy group that ministers to the horse-racing community is moving from California to Kentucky at the beginning of 2010. Race Track Chaplaincy of America Executive Director Enrique Torres (center right) shakes hands with Georgetown…
CBF leader says ministry-exellence training can boost clergy’s image
ATLANTA (ABP) — A moderate Baptist leader says a recent poll showing public confidence in clergy at a three-decade low should be a wakeup call for the importance of maintaining excellence in ministry. "In a culture that qualifies success as…
Creating carol for the troops inspires student, prof at Ky. Baptist school
The Chamber Choir at Campbellsville University sings the debut performance of "What is Christmas?" (Campbellsville U.) CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Thousands of American soldiers will be apart from their families this Christmas, but Campbellsville University graduate student Matt Hodge has…
Former high-profile preacher admits to fathering child
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — A former pastor once touted by Southern Baptist leaders as America's next great black preacher has admitted to fathering the child of a woman who claims he raped her during a counseling session in 2004. Before…
Clergy drop in poll rating honesty and ethics of professions
PRINCETON, N.J. (ABP) — Americans' views of the honesty and ethics of clergypersons has dropped to a three-decade low, according to the latest Gallup poll. The annual ranking of ethics of various professions found that 50 percent of Americans rated…
Baptist churches encouraged to invite a woman to preach
ATLANTA (ABP) — Baptist Women in Ministry is seeking pulpits for an annual emphasis to promote and encourage women preachers. The organization, which promotes and nurtures Baptist women in church leadership roles, has begun soliciting churches for the fourth Martha…
Baptist churches encouraged to invite a woman to preach in February
ATLANTA (ABP) — Baptist Women in Ministry is seeking pulpits for an annual emphasis to promote and encourage women preachers. The organization, which promotes and nurtures Baptist women in church leadership roles, has begun soliciting churches for the fourth Martha…
Texas cowboy pastor braving elements, hunger to focus on needy
Pastor Jason Norton of King’s Trail Cowboy Church in Van Alstyne, Texas, collects goods for needy families. VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (ABP) — Rain and snow don’t deter mail delivery, at least according to the old saying. Neither can they deter…
Rick Warren breaks silence on Ugandan anti-gay law
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — After significant criticism of his previous reticence on the subject, widely known Baptist pastor Rick Warren spoke out publicly Dec. 10 against draconian anti-gay legislation pending in Uganda's Parliament. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church…