NEW YORK (ABP) — Days before hiring a new general secretary, the National Council of Churches cut 14 staff positions due to a budget deficit. The Christian ecumenical group announced Oct. 3 the nomination of Michael Kinnamon, a professor, academic…
Evangelicals, liberals seek dialogue on ‘culture war’ issues
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A unique coalition of liberals and conservative evangelicals announced Oct. 10 that they are trying to bring about a cease-fire in the most contentious battles of the so-called “culture wars.” The question is, can they get both…
In single day, church plants 24,000 Purpose Driven books in S.C. prisons
COLUMBIA, S.C. (ABP) — Giving Rick Warren's best-selling The Purpose Driven Life to prisoners is nothing new for church volunteers. In fact, O.J. Simpson reportedly received a copy of the inspirational book from ministers at Clark County Detention Center in…
Missouri Baptist Convention may move headquarters to nearby town
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board will evaluate the sale of its downtown Jefferson City, Mo., headquarters and may accept a gift of property in a neighboring town. The board plans to consider the issue…
Gay-inclusive anti-discrimination bill on hold due to transgender provision
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A bill that would provide the first nationwide anti-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian people is on hold while members of Congress debate whether it should include protections for transgender persons as well. On Sept. 27, House…
Expatriate Baptist minister nominated for position in Kenyan Parliament
DALLAS (ABP) — A Kenyan Baptist minister appears likely to be elected to parliament in his homeland. Solomon Kimuyu has been nominated by the Kenya African National Union to represent Machakos township, about 35 miles east of Nairobi, in Kenya's…
Correction
Please make the following correction in the Oct. 4 ABP story, “Dan Stringer, Baptist executive for three conventions, dead at 79”: Change the first paragraph to read as follows: “Dan Stringer, believed to be the only person to serve as…
Baptist Joint Committee to begin looking for new property on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty is one step closer to having its own “Center for Religious Liberty” on Capitol Hill. Directors of the organization voted Oct. 1 to engage the services of a real-estate agent…
Texas convention launches internal audit on more alleged improprieties in the Valley
DALLAS (ABP) — For the second time in less than a year, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is looking into alleged misuse of church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley. BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade reported to the Executive…
Sutton, prominent Baptist pastor, safe in Nashville pulpit for now
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A former nominee for president of the Southern Baptist Convention will remain pastor of a prominent Southern Baptist church, the congregation decided Oct. 7. Jerry Sutton, who for more than two decades has served Two Rivers…
Manager of Christian bookstore in Gaza found murdered
GAZA CITY, Palestine (ABP) — The Palestinian Baptist manager of a well-known Christian book store in the Gaza Strip has been murdered. Authorities reportedly found the body of Rami Ayyad on Oct. 7 in Gaza City. He died from a…
Whites participating quietly, fruitfully in African-American Baptist body
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Recently, white Texas Baptist pastor Larry Bethune became the president of a mainly African-American Baptist group — and it didn't make news, because it was nothing new. Perhaps what is news to many Baptists is that…