DALLAS (ABP) — While a seminary degree can be an important component of a pastor’s toolbox, relationships with other pastors can be just as important — if not more so, according to some Texas Baptists who work with students preparing for…
Life coaching makes its way into churches
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — Career coaching has been around in the business field for decades. More recently, it spun off a concept of life coaching. Now, the coaching concept is starting to make its impact in churches. Most experts credit…
Academy for Spiritual Formation blends discipline, community
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)—Growing up in a Baptist church and later working part-time as a youth minister, Johnny Sears always believed his faith had to go deeper than a set of beliefs or activities. “How do we take prayer from being…
Faith leaders call for ‘soul searching’ after Tucson attack
WASHINGTON (ABP) — More than 50 religious leaders signed an open letter to Congress urging a time of national "soul searching" following the recent tragedy in Tucson that included an attack on a member of the House of Representatives. Prominent…
Westboro Baptist Church changes picket plans
NEW YORK (ABP) — Westboro Baptist Church has dropped plans to picket the funerals of six victims gunned down Jan. 8 in Tucson, Ariz., in exchange for air time on a nationally syndicated radio show. The small, family church from…
Mohler takes on ‘theistic evolution’
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary president and evolution opponent has turned sights on "theistic evolution," the idea that evolutionary forces are somehow guided by God. Albert Mohler Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote an…
African-American Baptists increase Haiti aid to $1 million
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Five historically African-American Baptist denominations that collaborated last year for Haiti relief made a second grant of $500,000 Jan. 12 to build homes through Habitat for Humanity International. Announced on the one-year anniversary of the Haiti quake,…
One year after quake, Haiti faces long road to recovery
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (ABP) — Despite unprecedented generosity by religious charities, the progress of recovery efforts remains slow on the one-year anniversary of a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti last Jan. 12. "The progress is slow, maybe not as…
Church arsonists get maximum penalty
TYLER, Texas (ABP) — The mother of one of two men sentenced Jan. 10 to life in prison for burning down a string of East Texas churches said she believes the punishment does not fit the crime. Jason Bourque "No…
Foundation moves for amendment to or stay of Cole County ruling
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Foundation is asking a judge to delay enforcement of a ruling that returns control of the breakaway entity to the Missouri Baptist Convention. The Missouri Baptist Convention won its legal action against the Missouri…
Westboro Baptist Church to make unwelcome appearance at funerals
TUSCON, Ariz. (ABP) — Arizonans are up in arms over plans by Westboro Baptist Church to picket the funerals of six people gunned down in Tuscon Jan. 8. Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., a small independent congregation notorious for…
Missouri Baptist leaders call special meeting to discuss resignation
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The executive board of the Missouri Baptist Convention will convene Friday, Jan. 14, in a special meeting to hear details of the state executive director's resignation for "immoral behavior." In an internal e-mail dated Jan….