It had all the marks of a transformational moment in American life. When President Lyndon B. Johnson declared “unconditional war on poverty” in 1964, around 19 percent of the nation lived in poverty. For the first time a sitting president…
‘War on poverty’ remains incomplete after half century, say advocates
‘We just need to be the church,’ says anti-poverty activist
Fifty years ago the United States declared war on poverty. Half a century and trillions of dollars later, what’s been accomplished? Is it an incomplete triumph or a wasteful failure? What really captured my thought was the slogan itself —…
Seven things you should know about poverty
$23,021 — The official poverty line for a family of four. It’s $11,484 for an individual. 15.1% — The number of Americans (46 million) in poverty, by the most common official figure. In 2007 the figure was 12.5 percent. 11.1% —…
Bluefield College suspends dental school project until funding is secured
By Robert Dilday Bluefield College has suspended plans for a new dental school due to uncertain funding, college officials have announced. The suspension follows a decision by Tazewell County, which was partnering with Bluefield in the public-private project, to end…
Center for Healthy Churches launches second partnership
By Robert Dilday The Center for Healthy Churches has announced a new partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina — the second collaboration for the church consulting group which launched Jan. 1. The partnership will make available to…
American Baptists decry religious conversion law in Burma
By Robert Dilday American Baptists’ top policy-making body has expressed its “strongest concerns” over a restrictive religious conversion law being considered in Burma and has endorsed legislation in the U.S. Congress to withhold security assistance until the country, also known…
Baptist higher education group approves major reorganization
By Robert Dilday A higher education association representing 47 Baptist-affiliated colleges and universities has approved a reorganization plan that reduces the number of paid staff members, cuts it budget nearly in half, reduces dues by 50 percent and relocates its…
Anne Neil, advocate for women ministers, dies at 94
By Robert Dilday Anne T. Neil, a former Baptist missionary whose advocacy for women ministers led to her own ordination to the ministry at age 80, died June 8 in Raleigh, N.C. She was 94. Neil’s passion for gender parity…