CARY, N.C. (ABP) — The Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina has voted to remove itself from the North Carolina Baptist Building — and the state convention executive director's attempt to assert authority over its staff. The dramatic move culminates…
Succession sometimes sticky when beloved pastor leaves
(ABP) — When the only pastor an entire generation at a church has known leaves, there's no set model for ensuring a smooth transition, experts say. The right way to do it at one time in a church's history may…
Southern Baptist morality activist confesses to soliciting prostitute
SALISBURY, N.C. (ABP) — Moral activist and conservative Southern Baptist Convention leader Coy Privette received “deferred prosecution” on six charges of aiding and abetting prostitution during his hearing Aug. 22. Privette, a Rowan County, N.C., commissioner and former executive director…
How long before the new pastor really feels part of a church?
(ABP) — When a beloved pastor leaves a church, the replacement often faces an uphill battle in winning the trust and respect of the congregation. Sometimes, the newcomer faces a challenge simply in getting people to remember his name. Winfred…
Louisiana College to open law school named for SBC leader Paul Pressler
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College will establish a new “biblical” law school named after Paul Pressler, the Texas appeals-court judge better known for leading the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. The college hopes to open the…
Another prominent SBC church beset by controversy over pastor’s leadership
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The integrity of another prominent Southern Baptist pastor has been called into question by members of his megachurch — this one in the shadow of the Southern Baptist Convention's headquarters. Local and national news agencies have…
Will Huckabee’s strong Iowa showing bring money, credibility to campaign?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Could a Baptist preacher become the Republican Party's vice-presidential nominee – or more? Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's surprisingly strong showing in the Aug. 11 Iowa Straw Poll has significantly raised the profile of the pastor-turned-politician. But…
Guest opinion: Remembering all of the Baptist past
I must confess that I do not share the concern voiced across the spectrum of Baptist life that Baptists are afflicted by historical amnesia. My concerns lie elsewhere, and so I must explain. What is amnesia? It results in a…
Seventh Day Baptists to stay in Baptist Joint Committee
NEWBERG, Ore. (ABP) — A tiny Baptist denomination has voted, narrowly, to remain part of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty despite disagreements over church-state relations. Delegates to the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference voted 279-234 July 31 to…
Falwell’s life insurance policy erases Liberty University debt
LYNCHBURG, VA. (ABP) — Thanks to a substantial life insurance policy on the late Jerry Falwell, the university he founded is now debt-free, according to university officials. Jerry Falwell, Jr., Liberty University's chancellor and son of its founder, announced the…
Drake, SBC presidential candidate, calls for God’s wrath against AU
BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) — An early candidate for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention has called on Baptists to pray for misfortune to befall employees of a church-state watchdog group. Wiley Drake, a pastor, radio crusader and Baptist…
Taliban reportedly releases two of Korean hostages
GHAZNI, Afghanistan (ABP) — Two of the 23 South Korean hostages kidnapped by the Taliban last month were released Aug. 12. Associated Press reported Kim Kyung-ja, 37, and Kim Ji-na, 32, were driven to waiting Red Cross vehicles in rural…