ATLANTA (ABP) — Four years in the making, a new group designed to be the broadest ecumenical coalition in American history was officially formed March 31. Thirty-four denominational and parachurch groups, representing a broad spectrum of American Christianity, constituted Christian…
Record number of U.S. church groups reflects immigration, yearbook says
DALLAS (ABP) — Amid intense national debate about immigration reform, the National Council of Churches recently announced immigrants have had a positive impact on U.S. churches: The council's annual yearbook reports a record number of church bodies for 2006. One…
Coffin, outspoken activist, pastor of NYC’s Riverside Church, dies
NEW YORK (ABP) — William Sloane Coffin Jr., former CIA agent, peace activist, Yale University chaplain, accomplished pianist and esteemed pastor of Manhattan's Riverside Church, died April 12. Coffin died from congestive heart failure at his home in Vermont. He…
IMB may dismiss Africa missionaries for starting non-Baptist congregation
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Another controversy is brewing at the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, which reportedly is set to dismiss two of its missionaries in West Africa for cooperating with non-Baptist colleagues to plant a church that isn't…
Despite SBC urging, VP nominees don’t toe the line on donations
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — In a year when Southern Baptist Convention leaders are calling for the election of SBC officers “whose churches give at least 10 percent of their undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program” — the SBC's ministry budget…
Baptist General Convention of Missouri enters partnership with WorldconneX
ROACH, Mo. (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Missouri has entered into a three-year partnership with WorldconneX, a missions network launched by Texas Baptists in 2004. The purpose of the partnership, which took effect March 31, is to encourage…
Reccord mulls resignation from NAMB while some trustees warn of firing
ATLANTA (ABP) –As embattled Southern Baptist leader Bob Reccord met with prominent pastors April 13 seeking advice about his future, several of his own trustees at the North American Mission Board urged him to resign as the agency's president. Reccord…
800-student Chowan College adopts ‘university’ label
MURFREESBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Chowan College trustees voted April 6 to adopt a new name, exchanging “Chowan College” for “Chowan University.” Though it is often assumed that the name “university” necessarily implies the presence of graduate programs, that is not…
Pastor on 1,000-mile trek to closer walk with God
HOUSTON (ABP) — Pastor Ed Hogan lost about a dozen pounds since he started walking 10 miles a day, but he's more interested in talking about what he has gained from the experience — a closer walk with God and…
In paperless age, paper letters let dads leave legacy of love
DALLAS (ABP) — As one of 70 million baby boomers, Greg Vaughn says he's not alone when it comes to the hurt he felt when his dad died. And the worst part was the absence of any written document of…
‘Genius of America’ based on individual rights, rabbi says
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Baptists and Jews, both having suffered historically as minority faiths, share a strong commitment to religious liberty, Rabbi David Saperstein said during an inaugural Mercer University lecture series. Saperstein has directed the Washington-based Religious Action Center…
Rabbi warns of politicizing religion, says freedom from religion better
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — The model of religious freedom in the United States might not be best for other countries, but it sure works well here, Rabbi David Saperstein said during a lecture series at Mercer University. The April 4-5…