(ABP) — Regardless of size or budget, any church can make sure visitors hear the message of Christ during the season, according to those involved in church Christmas productions. The live camel, flying angel and quadraphonic sound are nice, but…
Whether on Advent or Hallmark calendar, churches sing carols to celebrate season
(ABP) — The starting date and finish line for singing carols in church depend on whether a congregation follows the Christian calendar or the Hallmark calendar — and how constrained worship leaders feel by their choice. Many churches begin singing…
‘Angel Breakfast’ unique opportunity for children, grandparents at Christmas
BATESVILLE, Ark. (ABP) — Kinley Stevens, 2, couldn't wait to go Christmas shopping for her mom, dad, sister and even her dog, Ace. But the experience would be far from typical as she and her grandmother, Pearline Mohlke, would go…
Mercer, Georgia Baptist Convention come to terms on ending relationship
ATLANTA (ABP) — Mercer University and the Georgia Baptist Convention have agreed to terms that will end their 172-year-old relationship. The convention will end funding of the school after 2007, but Mercer will get control of trustee elections and all…
While megachurches cancel worship, others adjust Christmas schedules
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — While some high-profile evangelical churches around the country are canceling their usual worship services since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, many more are carrying on — though sometimes on modified schedules. Leaders of the…
N.Y. court reverses marriage ruling, as gay-rights activists sue in Iowa
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A New York state appeals court has overturned a lower court's ruling in favor of gay marriage. Meanwhile, the effort to secure the right to marry has expanded to Iowa's courts. A five-judge panel of the New…
No word from captors on Baptist, 3 other Christian hostages in Iraq
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Militants threatening to execute a British Baptist and three other Christian hostages by Dec. 10 had conveyed no word of their captives' fate as of the afternoon of Dec. 12, according to multiple news reports. That left…
Native pastor nominated to lead Baptist Convention of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ABP) — Joseph Bunce, 50, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, N.M., is the unanimous choice of a search committee to become the next executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. A special meeting…
Churches incorporate Narnia theme into Advent celebrations, outreach
HOUSTON (ABP) — Alongside the greenery and candles usually associated with Advent, some churches this year are using lions, witches and wardrobes to help worshipers experience the Christmas story. Drawing on images from Narnia — a mythical world created by…
Conflicting reports on IMB vote tally raise questions about board’s intent
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Conflicting reports about the vote totals for a new International Mission Board policy on speaking in tongues are focusing public attention on what may be a deeper disagreement about the agency's leadership. Associated Baptist Press reported,…
Conservative columnist elected editor of Louisiana Baptist paper
ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) –Trustees of the Baptist Message of Louisiana, who last month were rebuffed in an effort to dissolve their independent board, unanimously elected conservative Oregon pastor Kelly Boggs as editor. Boggs, 45, pastor of Valley Baptist Church in…
Louisiana College probation lifted after controversial policies reversed
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Louisiana College will remain fully accredited, school officials learned recently, after the Baptist school rescinded several policies critics said impinged on academic freedom. The Pineville school had been on probation since December 2004 following a visit…