ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Some Baptists see civil religion as bland at best and idolatrous at worst. But others view broadly shared values of liberty, justice and acknowledgement of God’s providential care as a common ground Christians share with a…
Baptists should understand, teach church-state separation
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Because of their historic commitment to religious liberty and separation of church and state, Baptists have a responsibility to educate their fellow citizens what those concepts mean, church historian Jim Spivey said. “Separation of church from…
Central Seminary launches full teaching center in Tennessee
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) – Six years after starting as a pilot project, Central Baptist Theological Seminary’s center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is now fully accredited to award the master of divinity and diploma in theology degrees. That means quality theological education…
CBF founder says freedom movement must avoid ‘sloppy discipleship’
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) – Founded 20 years ago as a freedom movement in Baptist life, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship now must guard against a “sloppy discipleship” that downplays responsibility, a founder of the movement told alumni of the CBF Coordinating…
‘Baptist’ comes first for Seventh Day Baptists
JANESVILLE, Wis. (ABP) — Are Christians wrong to worship on Sunday when the biblical Sabbath is Saturday? Rob Appel, executive director of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference answers with a question of his own: “What day did Christ go…
Summit offers ideas, networking to fight poverty
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Missouri's poverty rate stands at 15.5 percent, with the rate among children under 18 at 18.9 percent. Individuals and groups, including churches, are partnering to help lower those numbers. Missourians to End Poverty — a…
CBF of North Carolina presents $100k to Global Missions Offering
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s meeting at the national CBF General Assembly June 23 was highlighted by a presentation of a $100,000 check to CBF missions coordinator Rob Nash and the announcement that North…
Passport hires staff member to help children, youth discover God’s calling
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – An international student ministry that partners with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired a staff member to spearhead a new initiative to help theologically moderate churches discover God’s calling for both clergy and laity. Jennifer Herron…
Cuban prison chaplains graduate
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) – A total of 87 pastors and lay leaders made up the first graduating class of prison chaplains in Cuba June 16. Co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Cuba and the Ecumenical Seminary in Matanzas,…