By Robert Dilday Amy Butler, a Baptist pastor in Washington nominated April 27 to fill the pulpit of the prominent Riverside Church in New York City, was elected June 8 as the 84-year-old congregation’s first woman pastor. Butler, 44, who…
At SBC’s annual meeting, sobering report, possible change in representation top agenda
By Robert Dilday Southern Baptists are heading to Baltimore next week, where they may consider a significant change in how churches qualify for representation in the national denomination, while grappling with a sobering report of declining baptisms and membership. Several…
Joining growing shift in higher education, Baptist college to explore shared governance
By Robert Dilday Trustees at Bluefield College have joined a burgeoning movement in U.S. higher education aimed at altering the way colleges and universities are governed, which has largely remained unchanged for 300 years. The board of the Baptist-affiliated school…
Ministry to more than 100,000 women in prison requires distinctive approach
By Robert Dilday A woman released from prison faced a tough choice — return to her hometown, where her children lived, or start a new life elsewhere. She longed for her children, but returning home also meant reconnecting with friends…
North Korea sends South Korean Baptist missionary to labor camp
By ABPnews/Herald staff North Korea has sentenced a South Korean Baptist missionary to a labor camp for life for allegedly spying and for trying to build underground churches in the country, according to several news reports. The missionary, Kim Jong-uk,…
Washington pastor to serve as interim executive for D.C. Baptist Convention
By Robert Dilday Washington pastor Kendrick Curry has been named interim executive director/minister of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. Curry, senior pastor of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in the District, will provide leadership until a successor is chosen for…
Publisher of controversial book resigns from Christian media group
By Robert Dilday The publisher of a book which has drawn strong criticism from Southern Baptist and other evangelical leaders for its view of homosexuality has resigned from one of the nation’s largest association of Christian communicators. WaterBrook Multnomah, a…
Kentucky Baptist Fellowship’s coordinator retiring after 16 years
By Robert Dilday John Lepper, the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship’s first and only coordinator, has announced plans to retire June 30 after 16 years as head of the state affiliate of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. “I have high hopes for the…
Baptists in Virginia mark 300 years of ‘uncoerced’ faith
By Robert Dilday In 1714, a small group of Baptists in Virginia asked their spiritual colleagues in Britain to send “messengers” to strengthen the fledgling religious movement in the colony. The result was the first documented Baptist congregation in Virginia….