DALLAS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists’ most historic and prominent congregations has officially embarked — with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions — on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history. Four buildings are…
Land criticizes Obama’s reference to political ‘enemies’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's top spokesman for moral concerns added his voice to a chorus of conservative bloggers and commentators criticizing President Obama for telling Hispanic voters to "punish your enemies" by getting out to vote….
‘Unchurched’ studies seek to understand why people leave
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Seeking to develop strategies to prevent formerly active members from leaving through the so-called “back door,” LifeWay Research has conducted surveys to better understand why people leave. “I think we have a lot of strategies for…
Why do people leave churches?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Many churches and denominations put a lot of effort into attracting new members only to lose many of them through a “back door” — a term used to describe people who regularly attended a church in…
At 60, Texas CLC still providing witness to broader culture
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Born with “a dream and an ache in the heart” 60 years ago, the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission has challenged and helped shape the Lone Star State — and Baptists all over the nation — ever…
Study finds large churches can do better at retaining members
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — Large congregations are more likely than small churches to emphasize evangelism and recruitment of new members but significantly less likely to contact members who stop attending, according to a recent study. A little more than half…
Baptists aid Haiti cholera victims
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) – The Baptist World Alliance has sent emergency funds of more than $12,000 to help counter a recent cholera outbreak in Haiti. The funds are earmarked through Baptist World Aid, the BWA’s relief-and-development arm. They will be…
Judge rules against Alabama Baptists in property-use dispute
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) – A judge has blocked development of property owned by Alabama Baptists, finding that an agreement allowing a neighboring homeowners' association to sign off on any site plan is still in force. That Alabama Baptist State Convention…
Pastor calls for church unity following arrest of associate pastor
GREENWOOD, S.C. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist pastor in South Carolina urged his congregation not to rush to judgment following the Oct. 26 arrest of its associate pastor/minister of music on charges of committing a lewd act upon a 13-year-old…
California appeals court strikes down Wiley Drake’s ‘birther’ case
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) — A state appellate court in California has dismissed a lawsuit filed by plaintiffs including a former Southern Baptist Convention officer claiming that Barack Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and therefore is…
Missouri Baptists change college’s name
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention renamed Hannibal-LaGrange College Oct. 26 to Hannibal-LaGrange University after alumni campaigned to retain the "LaGrange" part of the moniker. Messengers to the convention's annual meeting, gathering in Springfield, voted 593-360 to amend a motion…
Affinity document could guide BGAV’s future
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — A document to be considered at next month’s annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia could provide a guide for expansion of the association's ministry, if adopted by messengers. A proposal from an affinity…