Because of their historic commitment to religious liberty and separation of church and state, Baptists have a responsibility to educate their fellow citizens what those concepts mean, church historian Jim Spivey said. “Separation of church from state does not mean…
Justices rely on ‘standing’ in courts’ church-state disputes
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As the U.S. Supreme Court ends its 2010-2011 term, legal scholars say one decision is likely to resonate within church-state debates for years to come. The justices rejected a challenge to an Arizona school tuition credit program…
‘One Nation Under God’ — narrow nationalism or proper patriotism?
When American Christians pledge allegiance to their nation and its flag — sometimes in worship services — does that reflect narrow nationalism or proper patriotism? Some Baptists believe it all hinges on how they interpret “one nation under God.” Nationalism,…
Patriotism, spiritual ties may pull Christians in opposite directions
RICHMOND, Va. — When war erupted between Russia and Georgia in 2008, repercussions included more than the 2,000 deaths and tens of thousands of refugees attributed to the conflict. Casualities also included relations between the two countries’ Baptist fellowships, torn…
Passport hires staff member to help children, youth discover God’s calling
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — An international student ministry that partners with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired a staff member to spearhead a new initiative to help theologically moderate churches discover God’s calling for both clergy and laity. Jennifer Herron,…
Ken Medema articulates his art form
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — Ken Medema — singer, composer, pianist, artist and for four decades a softly prodding social conscience of the church — worked his art through the two days of the 2011 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly June…
Progressive Christians flock to Wild Goose festival in North Carolina
PITTSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — From Ontario, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta and dozens of towns and cities between people pulled into the dusty pasture in rural central North Carolina to see if four days chasing the wild goose in community with others…
Florida pastor says tell stories of ‘why’ moderates left, not ‘who’
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) – A Florida pastor said June 25 that the 20-year-old Cooperative Baptist Fellowship must recast its message for a rising generation. In order to interpret the movement’s history for younger Fellowship Baptists, Kyle Reese, pastor of Hendricks…
Progressive Christians flock to Wild Goose festival
PITTSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — From Ontario, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta and dozens of towns and cities between people pulled into the dusty pasture in rural central North Carolina to see if four days chasing the wild goose in community with others…
Blind musical artist Ken Medema articulates his art form
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — Ken Medema — singer, composer, pianist, artist and for four decades a softly prodding social conscience of the church — worked his art through the two days of the 2011 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly June…
CBF commissions 14 missionaries for national, international service
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship commissioned 14 self-funded individuals — including a couple from Virginia — to missions work June 23 at the General Assembly in Tampa, Fla. More than 1,600 Fellowship Baptists were in attendance on…
Task force offers interim vision report for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — Hundreds of listening sessions by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 2012 Task Force have surfaced identity, community and ministry as the three themes of greatest concern to CBF members. David Hull, appointed in 2010 to lead the…