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 the past…
Baptist missionaries fight cholera outbreak in Haiti
HAUT LIMBE, Haiti (ABP) — A medical missionary couple in Haiti jointly appointed by American Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship says it has not yet treated any cholera cases but is focusing on community education and prevention to halt…
Christian witness amid the partisan fray
By David Gushee All eyes are on the November 2 elections, which appear likely to sweep Democrats from control of the House of Representatives and perhaps the Senate. Republicans also appear poised to make gains at the state level, especially…
ABP honors founders
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A founder of Associated Baptist Press recounted the organization’s history Oct. 21 as an effort to maintain a free press in Baptist life. Events in North Carolina earlier in the same day served as a reminder that freedom in…
ABP honors journalist Charles Overby, other founders of group
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A founder of Associated Baptist Press recounted the organization’s history Oct. 21 as an effort to maintain a free press in Baptist life. Events in North Carolina earlier in the same day served as a reminder that freedom in…
N.C. Baptist newspaper editor resigns amid defunding threat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — The editor of North Carolina Baptists' newspaper has agreed to resign his post to prevent a threatened motion to defund the publication from being made at the upcoming Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting. Norman…
Who’s in charge? As churches grow, decision-making becomes complex
Baptist churches across the board agree — Jesus Christ is the head of the church. But when it comes to ways Christians discern Christ’s will for their particular congregation, handle its day-to-day administrative chores and make decisions about budget and…
Can a church be congregational in polity and have elders?
Baptists long have been known as strong advocates of the priesthood of the believer — the idea that every individual can approach God and have a personal relationship with the Creator. Each person has the right to interpret Scripture for…
Governing multi-site churches like franchising a business
As some congregations reach out to minister beyond their church campus, many have chosen to begin second or third or more sites under the church umbrella. Adding more sites usually means adjusting the congregation’s governing structure. Glenn Akins, assistant executive…