ATLANTA (ABP) — Until last summer, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship didn't have much of a ministry presence in Buffalo County, S.D. Leaders from Together for Hope, CBF's rural-poverty initiative that works in 20 of America's poorest counties, had identified the…
Mix of politics, religion inevitable, but all blends not equal, scholar says
ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Religion and politics inevitably will mix — especially in the U.S. presidential campaign — but that does not mean Americans should sanction a free-for-all, church-state expert Melissa Rogers insisted. Rogers, director of the Center for Religion…
Faith-in-schools debate best handled in local communities, Rogers says
ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Whatever the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately decides about the role of religion in public schools, communities should strive to have better conversations on the topic, Melissa Rogers told participants at the T.B. Maston Christian Ethics Lectures…
Children from FLDS compound praise Texas Baptist agency
SAN ANGELO, Texas (ABP) — Although Texas officials have taken some criticism for removing hundreds of children from a religious compound, the Baptist agency caring for them has earned praise from the most important people: the children themselves. Baptist Child…
Baptist groups mobilizing aid for Burmese victims
BANGKOK, Thailand (ABP) – Baptist groups are among the scores of international aid organizations trying desperately to bring relief to the hundreds of thousands of cyclone victims in Burma. Along with thousands of other aid workers, groups of Baptist relief…
In Indiana, N.C. primaries, Obama cuts into Clinton’s Catholic lead
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Echoing his successes in earlier contests, Barack Obama cut into the recent advantage Hillary Clinton had built among Roman Catholics during the Indiana and North Carolina Democratic presidential primaries May 6. Catholics in Indiana and North Carolina…
Speakers tell British Baptists: fight global warming, poverty
BLACKPOOL, England (ABP) — British Baptists heard warnings against overconsumption and further degradation of the environment during their annual meeting May 2-4 in Blackpool, Lancashire. Theologian Elaine Storkey told members of the British Union of Great Britain to reject “false…
Iraq status reportedly divides panel on religious freedom
WASHINGTON (ABP) — An independent, non-partisan federal panel's failure to issue a recommendation to the State Department about Iraq is reportedly due to political division. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its annual report and recommendations May…
How real is the Resurrection?
A young woman who had been visiting in the United Methodist congregation my husband serves came to him to inquire about membership. He was, of course, happy to answer her questions, but wondered about the “problems” she said that she…
Nashville megachurch fails to oust dissident members
The 71 members are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against church leaders last year alleging improper spending practices and seeking access to financial records. The ouster attempt was proposed by embattled pastor Jerry Sutton and the deacon chair, Carlos Cobos….
Upcoming ‘Manifesto’ rebukes evangelicals for becoming pawns
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Several prominent conservative Christian leaders, in a joint statement to be unveiled May 7, are rebuking their fellow American evangelicals for allowing secular politics to co-opt their faith. “An Evangelical Manifesto,” set to be released at a…
Nashville megachurch fails to oust dissident members
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A May 4 vote to oust 71 dissident members of Nashville, Tenn., megachurch Two Rivers Baptist Church failed by four votes — less than half a percent. The 71 members are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed…