ROME, Ga. (ABP) — Shorter College's dissolution and reorganization that created a self-perpetuating board of trustees last year “cannot stand” without the Georgia Baptist Convention's approval, a state appeals court ruled March 17. The ongoing legal battle between the GBC…
Missionary family escapes Madrid terror attacks
MADRID, Spain (ABP) — Had it happened another day, David Dixon might no longer be dean of a Spanish seminary, no longer be pastor of an international church, no longer be father to three boys. Dixon normally would have been…
Missouri leaders will continue suit, but legal road may prove rocky
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Despite a legal setback, Missouri Baptist Convention leaders will continue their lawsuit against five institutions that have removed themselves from the convention's control. The convention's lead attorney in the case, Michael Whitehead, said he will…
Former SBC president Rogers has heart bypass surgery
CORDOVA, Tenn. (ABP) — Adrian Rogers, one of the most prominent pastors in America, had successful heart bypass surgery March 16. Rogers, pastor of the 27,000-member Bellevue Baptist Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn., was president of the Southern Baptist Convention…
Many Protestant ministers not willing to serve small churches, study says
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — Although there are more Protestant ministers than churches, many ministers don't want to work for those congregations, especially smaller ones, according to a study by Duke University. While nearly every denomination surveyed has more than one…
CORRECTION
CORRECTION: There is an identification error in the March 11 ABP story, “BWA Executive Committee issues statement on SBC flap.” In the eighth paragraph, the writer identified Fausto de Vasconcelos as “director of BWA's evangelism and education division.” That is…
Louisiana College president leaves, VP resigns, as trustees weather protests
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — The president and academic vice president are leaving Louisiana College, a Baptist school that has been embroiled in a controversy over academic freedom. Rory Lee, president for seven years, announced March 15 he is leaving at…
Pentecostals lead modest growth in U.S. church membership
NEW YORK (ABP) — The number of Protestants — particularly Pentecostals — continues to increase in the United States, with a fourth Pentecostal denomination joining the list of 25 largest U.S. religious bodies. The new numbers come from the 2004…
Four Southern Baptist missionaries killed in Iraq drive-by shooting
MOSUL, Iraq (ABP) — Four Southern Baptist missionaries were killed and a fifth critically injured in a drive-by shooting March 15 in Iraq. The International Mission Board team was in Mosul, Iraq, researching the needs for future humanitarian projects. The…
Judge dismisses convention lawsuit against Missouri Baptist agencies
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A Missouri judge has effectively dismissed a lawsuit filed by Missouri Baptist Convention leaders against five institutions that removed themselves from convention control. Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown ruled March 11 that the suit's…
BWA Executive Committee issues statement on SBC flap
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Hoping to put their controversy with the Southern Baptist Convention behind them, members of the Baptist World Alliance's Executive Committee issued a joint statement affirming historic Christian doctrines March 10. The action came during a…
Texas Baptist Men’s group sends food to Haiti
DALLAS (ABP) — A planeload of food sent by Texas Baptist Men arrived March 10 in Haiti, which has been ravaged recently by civil war. More than 300 pounds of nonperishable food landed at the airport in Cap Haitien, where…