If I were being completely honest, I would tell you that the whole idea was a little, tiny bit self-serving. Having recently completed my doctor-of-ministry degree in preaching, I, strangely enough, managed to maintain my passion for the subject even…
Fort Worth church declines to send messengers to BGCT
FORT WORTH—Rather than face a challenge from the floor of the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting or submit to having its beliefs about homosexuality examined by the BGCT Executive Board, Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth chose not…
In strong support of the House health-care bill
By David Gushee From a Christian perspective aiming to advance human dignity at every stage of life, the version of the health-care bill that passed in the House Nov. 7 was a remarkable public-policy victory. It is stronger than the…
Texas Baptists provide solace in wake of Fort Hood massacre
FORT HOOD, Texas (ABP) — In the wake of the Fort Hood tragedy, Texas Baptists are helping people find comfort in Christ. Four chaplains endorsed by Texas Baptists are ministering directly to victims of the Nov. 5 shooting at the…
Don’t blame Islam for Fort Hood killings, Baptist leader says
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) — At least one Baptist leader cautioned against attempts to blame the the Nov. 5 Fort Hood massacre on the accused assailant's Islamic faith. Bruce Prescott, executive director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, said Nov. 8 that assuming…
Iranians celebrate Holy Spirit movement
PLANO—Persian praise songs resonated through the meeting hall at First Baptist Church in Plano as about 150 worshippers raised their hands and opened their hearts. They rejoiced in the way God’s Spirit is moving among Iranians, and they fervently prayed,…
Physicians give chaplains a clean bill of health
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Science and faith often may clash, but a new survey suggests most American doctors believe religion and spirituality can help patients. Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the survey found 90 percent of physicians are satisfied with spiritual…
ABP offers new, revamped e-mail products and content via Facebook, Twitter feeds
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Associated Baptist Press, the nation’s first and only independent news service created by and for Baptists, is set to offer content through several new formats, its leaders announced Nov. 5. The organization — based in Jacksonville,…
RIGHT or WRONG?
Younger generations in our church don’t seem to connect with stories of Baptist heroes who dealt with the moral crises of their day. So, how can we communicate the values upon which our forebears stood? My education, training and experience…
FAITH DIGEST
Lutherans ask Anabaptists’ forgiveness. Lutheran World Federation leaders plan to apologize for their ancestors’ 16th-century persecution of Anabaptists, religious reformers whose direct successors include Mennonites and the Amish and who influenced Baptists. The apology unanimously adopted by the federation council…
Some Christians unplug from social networking
WASHINGTON (RNS)—In the world of faith-based social networking, evangelical Christian leader Mark Oestreicher commanded a huge chunk of cyberspace. Known as “Marko,” the technological hipster amassed 4,000 Facebook friends, 1,500 Twitter followers and 2,000 daily readers of his blog. But…
Another Great Awakening?
Some observers of religion assert a socially transforming spiritual movement is sweeping the globe, resulting in 82,000 conversions to Christianity a day. But only 6,000 of them are in Europe and North America. "I believe we are in the midst…