NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A Baptist layman with an engineering background might not seem a logical choice to lead a spiritual-formation ministry run by United Methodists. Not surprisingly, the path that led Johnny Sears to Upper Room Ministries in Nashville,…
Suspects plead guilty to church arsons
TYLER, Texas (ABP) — Two men accused in a string of East Texas arsons early in 2010 pleaded guilty Dec. 15 in a Smith County court to burning five churches. Jason Bourque According to the Tyler Telegraph, Jason Bourque, 20,…
Fallout continues over departure of gay soccer coach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Fallout continues for Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., over the departure of a women's soccer coach who revealed she and her same-sex partner are expecting a baby. Nashville's Metro Council is considering revoking an agreement allowing…
Study says recession catching up to churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — After two years of only moderate impact on offerings, the recession has caught up with America's churches, according to new figures compiled by LifeWay Research. One in three Protestant churches reported receiving less money this year…
BGCT names search committee for exec
DALLAS (ABP) — Elected leaders of the Baptist General Convention and the BGCT Executive Board on Dec. 14 nominated 15 people to serve on a committee to recommend a new executive director for the convention. The person they recommend will succeed…
Pulido first to receive award named in his honor
ST. LOUIS (ABP) — A longtime Missouri pastor's desire to preserve Baptists' historic stand on religious freedom has earned him an award named in his honor. Rudy Pulido The St. Louis chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and…
Four Baptist students killed in Ghana accident
KUMASI, Ghana (ABP) — Baptists in Ghana are mourning the deaths of four ministerial students killed Dec. 11 in a bus crash while on their way to a classmate's wedding. Twelve more passengers were injured — two critically — when…
Scholars explore Baptist revivalism
ATLANTA (ABP) — The real culprit behind declining baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention might be youth soccer, says historian Bill Leonard. Bill Leonard Because of nightly requirements for church-going families — including children's sports — week-long and two-week revivals…
Joy to the World? Churches deal with holiday grief
DALLAS (ABP) — Ever since an angel announced good news to shepherds working the night shift, Christians have associated the birth of Jesus with joy. But some people who have experienced significant loss in the recent past find a season…
Suggested reading for those who grieve at the holidays
Cover of Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss by Michaelene Mundy. (ABP) — Pastors recommended the following books as particularly helpful to people who have experienced loss and to Christians who are seeking to minister…
Joy to the World: Joy, happiness not synonymous
(ABP) — Christians can experience joy even in loss — provided they don’t confuse joy with happiness but accept it as a gift from God, several pastors noted. “Joy is not the same as happiness. It is a deeper contentment…
Search for Everett’s replacement at BGCT to begin
DALLAS (ABP) — With the departure of Randel Everett, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is searching for a new executive director for the second time in three years. Everett, 61, accepted a unanimous call Dec. to serve as the…