WACO, Texas (ABP) — Conventional wisdom says “the family that prays together stays together.” But one study of 15 Baptist congregations found that what families want most from their church are opportunities to serve. In 2004, Baylor University researchers polled more…
Southern Baptist Convention looks to minorities to jumpstart growth
PHOENIX (RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention adopted a plan to try to boost minorities in their top leadership posts as the convention faces continuing reports of stagnant baptism rates and declining membership. Messengers to the annual meeting backed the…
Southern Seminary’s Mohler says Baptists must repent of homophobia
PHOENIX (ABP) — The president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said June 15 that Southern Baptists need to repent of a “form of homophobia” that keeps gays and lesbians out of their churches. Albert Mohler responded during his report to…
SBC president meets with gay-rights advocates
PHOENIX (ABP) – Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright met June 15 with a coalition asking the nation’s second-largest faith group to apologize for what they believe is damage to lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Jack McKinney (left) explains…
SBC president meets with gay-rights advocates who request apology
PHOENIX (ABP) — Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright met June 15 with a coalition asking the nation’s second-largest faith group to apologize for what they believe is damage to lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “Today is a special…
Southern Baptists support immigration reform
PHOENIX (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention adopted a debated resolution June 15 calling for “a just and compassionate path to legal status” for undocumented immigrants. President Obama supports immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for an estimated…
Southern Baptists ‘cannot commend’ new NIV Bible translation
PHOENIX (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention went on record June 15 saying it “cannot commend” the 2011 New International Version Bible translation and its use of gender-neutral language. “This is as big as it gets,” said Tim Overton of…
Opinion: The truth about the church
(ABP) — On Facebook this week some members of my church posted this phrase they saw on a church sign: “Visitors Welcome. Members Expected.” Another church member commented: “Pastor Amy would love this.” It’s true: I do. That Facebook post,…
Southern Baptists affirm doctrine of hell
PHOENIX (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention affirmed the reality of a literal hell June 15 in a resolution responding to Rob Bell’s Love Wins book that challenges traditional thinking about eternal damnation. Citing Bell’s book, the SBC resolution affirmed…
Southern Baptists ‘cannot commend’ new NIV Bible translation
PHOENIX (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention went on record June 15 saying it “cannot commend” the 2011 New International Version Bible translation and its use of gender-neutral language. “This is as big as it gets,” said Tim Overton of…
SBC affirms doctrine of hell
PHOENIX (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention affirmed the reality of a literal hell June 15 in a resolution responding to Rob Bell’s Love Wins book that challenges traditional thinking about eternal damnation. Citing Bell’s book, the SBC resolution affirmed…
Southern Baptists support path to legal status in immigration reform
PHOENIX (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention adopted a debated resolution June 15 calling for “a just and compassionate path to legal status” for undocumented immigrants. President Obama supports immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for an estimated…