WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad array of religious leaders has launched an ambitious effort to combat domestic hunger and poverty. Several hundred Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other leaders culminated a weekend conference in Washington June 7 by visiting Capitol Hill…
Air Force Academy officials clear cadet but outside investigations expand
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABP) — While the United States Air Force Academy has cleared its just-graduated top cadet of charges that he violated the First Amendment, Pentagon officials have announced further expansions of their investigation into the religious climate at the…
Alabama church draws from reality TV in new ‘makeover’ ministry effort
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – “Tell us again, Momma,” the children beg. And so Beverly Gardner tells her 13 children about the church members who are coming to make over their six-bedroom house and send the family away to do wonderful…
Lack of African-American support delays launch of ecumenical group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — An ambitious new ecumenical Christian group has postponed its formal organization due to a lack of enthusiasm from historically African-American denominations. Supporters decided to delay organizing Christian Churches Together during a June 1-3 meeting which was held…
Author of Bush abortion-rate study admits flaws, but challenges critics
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A controversial study suggesting the abortion rate has increased since President Bush took office was off the mark, its author now admits. But he also says new figures vindicate some of his contentions. A recent study of…
Church leaves SBC, N.C. convention over anti-Quran sign controversy
FOREST CITY, N.C. (ABP) — The church that received national media attention in late May for a sign that said the Muslim holy book should be put in a toilet has withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention. The congregation of…
Texas Baptist board approves revamped representation plan
DALLAS (ABP) –The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board has approved revised bylaws that would reduce the board's size by more than half. Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting Nov. 7-8 in Austin will vote on the amended bylaws…
Moderate Missouri convention elects executive, approves strategic plan
ROACH, Mo. (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Missouri approved a strategic plan and elected Jim Hill as executive director during the moderate convention's annual meeting April 29-30. Hill, named interim executive director at last year's meeting, will become…
Congressional leaders re-appoint three to religious-freedom panel
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Congressional leaders have re-appointed three long-time advocates for religious liberty to a federal panel charged with monitoring worldwide conditions for freedom of conscience. The leaders re-appointed Felice Gaer, Ricardo Ramirez and Nina Shea to the United States…