MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — A judge ruled Nov. 17 that Muslims can move forward with plans to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Chancellor Robert Corlew III heard a total of eight days of testimony spread…
Evangelical support for Israel at all-time high
JERUSALEM (RNS) — When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Nov. 15 with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there…
Baptists hail release of Burmese democratic leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance rejoiced at Myanmar's release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and expressed hope that the act represents a symbolic gesture signaling greater freedoms for people…
Survey: Potential religious landmines for Obama, GOP in next election
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama and both the Democratic and Republican parties all face tough questions from faith-based voters going into the 2012 election cycle, a new survey on religion and the 2010 midterm elections suggests. The Public Religion Research Institute released results…
Retired Florida Baptist newspaper editor Edgar Cooper dies
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Edgar Cooper, editor emeritus of the Florida Baptist Witness, died Nov. 14 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla. He was one day shy of his 92nd birthday. Edgar Cooper Cooper, a pastor for two decades…
Legendary Oklahoma pastor Warren Hultgren dies
TULSA, Okla. (ABP) — Warren Hultgren, whose sense of humor and compassionate care endeared him to generations of Oklahomans as pastor of Tulsa’s First Baptist Church, died Nov. 14, according to church officials. He was 89. Warren Hultgren, in an…
Os Guinness: Civility needed in global public square
KELLER, Texas (ABP) — In an increasingly connected world where “religion is furiously alive,” the matter of how people of faith can live with their deep differences assumes growing importance, social critic and author Os Guinness told a Texas Baptist…
Baptist World Alliance hails release of Burmese democratic leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance rejoiced at Myanmar's release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and expressed hope it represented a symbolic gesture signaling greater freedoms for people of the…
Retired American Baptist regional exec Dennis Norris dies
CLEVELAND (ABP) — Dennis Norris, who led American Baptists in the Cleveland metropolitan area from 1987 to 2005, died Nov. 5. He was 75. Dennis Norris, in an undated photo from his seminary days. (Courtesy Norris family) “Our hearts are…
Georgia Baptists oust second church with woman pastor
ALBANY, Ga. (ABP) – For the second year in a row, the Georgia Baptist Convention has withdrawn fellowship from one of its most historic member churches for calling a woman as pastor. Geogia Baptists have declared a second church led…
SBCV reduces budget, increases funds for Southern Baptist Convention
LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia approved two resolutions Nov. 8-9 calling for continued support of its Cooperative Program unified giving plan, as well as increased CP commitment from its churches. During its annual meeting, the…
Georgia Baptist Convention ousts second church with woman pastor
ALBANY, Ga. (ABP) — For the second year in a row, the Georgia Baptist Convention has withdrawn fellowship from one of its most historic member churches for calling a woman as pastor. Geogia Baptists have declared a second church led…