ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Creeds have a clarifying role in Christian life but they build barriers between believers when used incorrectly, Baptist leaders told a national leadership conference. Using human words as a tool for enforcing orthodoxy is a misuse…
Capital punishment not the gospel way, Mason says
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ABP) — God made peace with mankind through Jesus' “non-violent self-sacrifice rather than violent retribution,” and that is how Christians should make peace with others, said Dallas pastor George Mason. Christian belief and practice should “shape us…
Caution drives churches’ policies protecting children’s identities
(ABP) — When churches decide whether to publish the names and photos of children, a growing number cite protection as their guiding principle — protecting the children from predators and the church from legal action. Churches probably have little cause…
Baylor faculty again votes ‘no confidence’ in Sloan
WACO, Texas (ABP) — For the second time in a year, the Faculty Senate of Baylor University has voted “no confidence” in President Robert Sloan. The 28-5 vote, taken in a closed-door session May 4, was similar to the group's…
Reports of anti-Muslim incidents up 70 percent over last year
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Incidents of anti-Muslim bias in 2003 jumped 70 percent over the previous year, a study by an Islamic civil-rights group says. The Council on American-Islamic Relations released its ninth annual civil-rights report May 3. CAIR, which calls…
Friendship, passion drive ministries to special-needs individuals
(ABP) — Starting a ministry to special-needs individuals is as simple as a smile, handshake or hug, according to many who lead such efforts in their churches. Parents of a disabled child often feel awkward in a church setting because…
Not all churches prepared to minister to special-needs children, father says
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Though often started with the best of intentions, special-needs ministries don't always live up to their mission, says one father of a developmentally disabled child. Charlie Warren, editor of the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine in Little…
Christian teens as likely to pirate music, poll says
NASHVILLE (ABP) — Teenage Christians are as likely to steal songs electronically as other music fans, according to a new poll. In an online survey of about 1,500 teens, commissioned by the Gospel Music Association, 77 percent of born-again Christian…
Two cable music channels target Christian viewers
NASHVILLE (ABP) — The cable TV industry, which didn't warm to the idea of a gospel music network a decade ago, will be asked to welcome two such channels this fall. The Gospel Music Channel plans to offer music videos,…