ASHEBORO, N.C. (ABP) — The five colleges and universities that relate to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina have asked the convention to study its relationships with the schools. The move reflects growing upheaval between moderates and conservatives in…
N.C. committee approves budget redefining CBF funds out of CP
ASHEBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Leaders of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention have approved a budget that no longer counts gifts to a moderate group as “Cooperative Program” funds. The convention's board of directors voted Sept. 28 to approve a…
Bush taps unknown Harriet Miers to replace moderate O’Connor
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush has nominated a White House insider with no judicial experience to replace a moderate justice on the Supreme Court. Just hours before the high court began its 2005-2006 term with new Chief Justice John Roberts…
Atlanta archbishop calls for closer Baptist, Roman Catholic relations
ATLANTA (ABP) — According to Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory, leader of the Atlanta archdiocese, there is a new thing happening among Baptists and Roman Catholics – cooperation, increased understanding and potential for greater relationship. “This could and can only…
Supreme Court agrees jury erred by basing death penalty on Bible
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The nation's highest court has upheld a Colorado court's ruling that said jurors erred when they consulted biblical law to sentence a murderer to death. On the first day of its 2005-2006 term Oct. 3, the federal…
Christians must reclaim prophetic role, Paynter says at ABP award banquet
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — God's people embody Christ's character when they reclaim their prophetic voice and speak truth to power, a Christian lobbyist told participants at an awards banquet sponsored by Associated Baptist Press. “In the realm of convictions and…
Jimmy Allen elected chair of Baptists Today board
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Directors of the independent news journal Baptists Today chose Jimmy Allen as their chair and honored outgoing chair Tommy Boland during their Sept. 22-23 meeting in Macon, Ga., where the national publication is headquartered. Allen, of…
Global Women adds two new staff members
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Two women have taken over staff positions with Global Women, a Christian organization based in Birmingham, Ala., that promotes ministry and witness among women worldwide. April Hurst of Texas is the new administrator, replacing Suzanah Raffield,…
Roberts confirmed, sworn in despite groups’ objections
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite strong objections from some civil rights groups, the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed John Roberts to a seat on the Supreme Court Sept. 29. A few hours after the 78-22 confirmation vote, Justice John Paul Stevens swore Roberts…
Conservative favorite DeLay indicted, replaced by Blunt
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — One of religious conservatives' strongest advocates on Capitol Hill has stepped down from his leadership post after being indicted in a campaign-finance scandal. Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) resigned from his post as House Majority Leader Sept….
FEMA to reimburse churches for housing Katrina victims
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a largely unprecedented move, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it will offer monetary reimbursement to churches and other houses of worship aiding Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Some watchdog groups greeted FEMA's Sept. 26 announcement with skepticism….
Chaplain in Iraq finds new role helping soldiers cope with war
NORTHERN IRAQ (ABP) — In Iraq, Army Chaplain Joe Moffitt sees himself as a spiritual medic who offers healing to souls in trauma. “I have found that pastoral care here is oftentimes more like triage, as compared to that in…