ATLANTA (ABP) — There was no heated rhetoric, and only a few talking points, when two savvy 30-something Christians — a Democrat and a Republican — came to Mercer University to speak about their faith and their work inside the…
Virginia Baptists to consider renewed ties with Averett University
LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists will consider in November a proposal to renew ties to Averett University, a 152-year-old school in Danville, Va., whose relationship with the state’s Baptists was severed in 2005 in a dispute over homosexuality. The…
Civil War changed Americans’ view of Providence, historian says
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Americans in 1860s viewed the Civil War through the lens of God at work in human affairs — a lens left shattered by that bloody conflict, according to historian George Rable. Rable, the Charles Summersell Chair…
How to conduct a basic church security survey
(ABP) — Walk around your church. Stand at each entryway and look closely in every direction. Think like a thief or a criminal. Are you surrounded by suburbs, or is your church now located within a business community? No matter…
Churches advised to begin by assessing risks
UNIVERSITY, Miss. (ABP) –Concerned about developing a church security plan? Security expert Chester Quarles suggests starting with a risk assessment. "Risk assessment is usually historical. We need to know what has gone before," said Quarles, professor emeritus of criminal justice…
Safe and secure from all alarm
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — By definition, a "sanctuary" should be a place of refuge and protection where people feel welcome and feel safe. In practice, churches struggle with what it means to open their doors to everyone while providing a…
Fred Shuttlesworth, civil rights pioneer, dies at 89
Fred Shuttlesworth BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – Fred Shuttlesworth, the last of the “Big Three” of the civil rights movement with Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr., died Oct. 5. He was 89. Among the general public Shuttlesworth was the…
Baptist peace group urges prayer for Liberian elections
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) – A Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America delegation just back from two weeks conducting training in conflict transformation and non-violence with Liberian pastors and leaders is calling on Christians everywhere to join in prayer and fasting…
Opinion: Pastors don’t like stewardship campaigns, either
(ABP) — There’s a bite in the morning air. The leaves are starting to turn brilliant colors. Piles of pumpkins slow foot traffic at the entrance to the grocery store. In a pastor’s world this can mean only one thing….