NEW YORK (ABP) — One of the most prominent churches in mainline Protestantism has tapped a former Wake Forest Divinity School professor to fill its historic pulpit. Brad Braxton The pastor-search committee of Riverside Church, a landmark on the Upper…
BWA births division for justice; scholars spotlight ecology, diversity
WASHINGTON, DC (ABP) — Concern for freedom and justice were on the minds of participants at two recent international Baptist meetings in Prague, Czech Republic. Participants at meetings related to the Baptist World Alliance's annual gathering created a new office…
Falling revenue causes
LifeWay to cut staff
NASHVILLE (ABP) — LifeWay Christian Resources will cut 5 percent of its workforce by Sept. 30 because revenues are lower than expected, officials of the Southern Baptist Convention's publishing arm have announced. The cuts represent about 100 jobs. Officials would…
Celebrity Christians: Are their ups and downs more significant than ours?
What is it about high-profile Christians that leads some believers to accord them celebrity status—and what is it about their missteps that rivets the attention of their less-public fellow believers? RICHMOND, Va.—“Stay out of the limelight.” That’s Amy Grant’s advice…
Cowboy churches lassoing America
DALLAS (ABP) — The “cowboy churches” that are springing up throughout the United States are about more than worshiping God while wearing boots and cowboy hats. They are about finding ways to be relevant in the rodeo-circuit, country/Western culture. In…
CBF, Global Women agree to three-year partnership
ATLANTA (ABP) — Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Global Women recently agreed to enter a three-year partnership to meet the needs of women around the world, CBF officials announced July 29. The partnership will start with two specific…
Mo. church’s $2.2 million bequest largest in Central Seminary history
SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Central Baptist Theological Seminary has received a more than $2.2 million gift — the largest in the institution’s history — from the former members of a St. Louis-area church. Trustees of the recently disbanded Des Peres…
Cecil Sherman diagnosed
with acute myeloid leukemia
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship pioneer Cecil Sherman has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Sherman, 80, sought treatment options at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston after receiving the diagnosis July 25 and exploring possibilities in Richmond,…
BWA Prague meeting ushers in new structure, Muslim response
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (ABP) — About 400 delegates to the Baptist World Alliance's annual gathering in Prague, Czech Republic, ended their meeting July 25 with approval of a major re-structuring of the organization's governing structure. Baptists from more than 60…
Mimicking trends could turn musician into worship ‘barista,’ leader warns
WACO, Texas (ABP) – Trying to adapt to every trend in worship can become disruptive and distracting to a church, said Tim Studstill, director of music and worship for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Serving in a trend-driven congregation,…
Wounded ‘soldier of the Cross’ scarred by Christian service
No caption submitted BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (ABP) — After 18 years serving the Lord in hot spots around the globe, Kevin Turner finally was wounded in the line of duty — not physically, but emotionally and spiritually. As president of Strategic…
Mentoring program helps ministers chart true course
(ABP) — No one ever promised vocational ministry would be easy, said Michael Godfrey, executive director of True Course Ministries. That's why he began his mentoring program for clergy. Godfrey's 32 years experience in Christian ministry revealed to him a…