“There’s no threat of Sharia law coming to Oklahoma and America, period. It’s just a scare tactic." Saad Mohammed The member of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City was referring to a Nov. 2 referendum to ban Islamic law…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida laments strange Baptists
Dear Jimmy, I’m sure this never happens to you, but sometimes my mind gets to wanderin’ a mite during the sermon. That’s why I can sure understand what happened to this feller who happens to be your Uncle Orley’s cousin,…
150 Bluefield students make professions of faith
BLUEFIELD, VA. — Bluefield College students were invited to trade in their hurt for healing during the school’s 19th Annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, featuring the ministry of evangelist Tony Nolan and professions of faith from more…
Richmond seminary starts D.Min. in contextual leadership
RICHMOND, Va. — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will welcome the first students in the summer of 2011 to its newly-focused doctor of ministry degree in contextual leadership, the school has announced. “The doctor of ministry is an advanced professional…
Church implodes buildings to make way for $115 million project
DALLAS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists’ most historic and prominent congregations has officially embarked — with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions — on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history. Four buildings are…
Land criticizes Obama’s reference to political ‘enemies’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's top spokesman for moral concerns added his voice to a chorus of conservative bloggers and commentators criticizing President Obama for telling Hispanic voters to "punish your enemies" by getting out to vote….
‘Unchurched’ studies seek to understand why people leave
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Seeking to develop strategies to prevent formerly active members from leaving through the so-called “back door,” LifeWay Research has conducted surveys to better understand why people leave. “I think we have a lot of strategies for…
Study finds large churches can do better at retaining members
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — Large congregations are more likely than small churches to emphasize evangelism and recruitment of new members but significantly less likely to contact members who stop attending, according to a recent study. A little more than half…
Why do people leave churches?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Many churches and denominations put a lot of effort into attracting new members only to lose many of them through a “back door” — a term used to describe people who regularly attended a church in…
Church implodes buildings to make way for $130 million project
DALLAS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists’ most historic and prominent congregations has officially embarked — with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions — on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history. An architect’s rendering…
At 60, Texas CLC still providing witness to broader culture
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Born with “a dream and an ache in the heart” 60 years ago, the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission has challenged and helped shape the Lone Star State — and Baptists all over the nation — ever…
Baptists aid Haiti cholera victims
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) – The Baptist World Alliance has sent emergency funds of more than $12,000 to help counter a recent cholera outbreak in Haiti. The funds are earmarked through Baptist World Aid, the BWA’s relief-and-development arm. They will be…