HICKORY, N.C. (ABP) — Baptists in North Carolina reacted with shock to the apparent suicide Sept. 27 of a well-liked pastor active in denominational life. Sandy Ridge Baptist Church leaders said Pastor David Treadway, a member of the Baptist State…
Barna survey: Women pastors gaining ground in United States
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — The percentage of churches in the United States employing a woman as senior pastor has doubled during the past decade, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. The evangelical pollster said one church in…
Court voids $5 million judgment against Westboro Baptist Church
RICHMOND (ABP) — A federal appeals court has thrown out a $5 million judgment against members of a controversial Baptist church who picketed the funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq with inflammatory signs including "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."…
Faith leaders urge G-20 summit to remember the poor
PITTSBURGH (ABP) — Faith leaders including the missions coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship said the Sept. 24-25 G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh provided a unique opportunity to raise their concerns about the plight of the world's poor. Religious leaders, including…
Non-denominational, Baptist churches dominate listing of largest, fastest-growing congregations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — About one-fourth of the largest and one-third of the fastest-growing churches in America are Baptist, according to an annual listing compiled by LifeWay Research for Outreach Magazine. Nearly half of the nation's largest and fastest-growing churches…
Eddie Hammett will join North Carolina CBF staff
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Eddie Hammett, who was laid off in August from the staff of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in a cost-cutting move, will begin a part-time role with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina…
Southern Baptists, other conservative Christians urge Iran action
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Prominent conservative Christian leaders — including the current and former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention — wrote Congress and other world leaders Sept. 21 calling for urgent action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. As…
Morris Chapman to retire in 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Morris Chapman, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, announced plans Sept. 21 to retire at the end of September 2010. Morris Chapman announces retirement plans to the SBC Executive Committee. Chapman, a…
Scandal-plagued pastor loses bid to regain National Baptist presidency
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite a highly publicized effort to regain the presidency of the nation's largest African-American Baptist denomination, disgraced pastor Henry Lyons overwhelmingly lost his election bid Sept. 10. Henry Lyons, a former president of the National Baptist Convention…