ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired a Richmond, Va., minister its third "field coordinator," a shared staff position designed to promote cooperation and communication between state and national CBF organizations. The Atlanta-based CBF and Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…
Great Commission Task Force head surprised at backlash to report
MONROE, Mich. (ABP) — The head of a task force appointed last summer to recommend ways to make the Southern Baptist Convention more effective in reaching the lost said March 16 he was surprised by negative reaction to parts of…
Last Baptist held in Haiti faces new charge
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (ABP) — The last of 10 Americans held in Haiti on suspicion of kidnapping now faces a new charge stemming from an earlier alleged attempt to bus child earthquake victims to the Dominican Republic three days before the…
American Baptist donations to Haiti top $1.2 million
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — American Baptist Churches USA organizations have given more than $1.2 million for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, the American Baptist News Service reported March 12. Two months after the Jan. 12 earthquake that jolted the…
Uzbekistan levies massive fines on Baptists for meeting without a license
OSLO, Norway (ABP) — Thirteen members of an unregistered Baptist church in Uzbekistan have been fined 100 times the nation's minimum monthly salary, an international news service that tracks stories about abuses of religious freedom reported March 15. The Norway-based…
SBC leaders criticize Glenn Beck’s choice of words, but say he has a point
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — One Southern Baptist leader said Glenn Beck's advice to leave churches that preach "social justice" was stated poorly but basically on target, while another said the statement was so broad that it would include asking people…
SBC leaders criticize Beck’s choice of words, but say he has a point
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — One Southern Baptist leader said broadcaster Glenn Beck's advice to his listeners to leave churches that preach "social justice" was stated poorly but basically on target, while another said the statement was so broad that it…
Trinity? There’s an app for that.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Nils Smith recognizes he has an unusual title — pastor for college and online community ministry. But he suspects he may be one of the first of a new breed of ministers. Smith was serving on…
Author worries online communities are hurting genuine relationships
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) — When it comes to Facebook, Jesse Rice sees an immensely popular social networking site that’s great for sharing photos and keeping in touch with friends. He also sees something that encourages attitudes and behaviors that don’t…
What lasts forever? Faith, hope, love …and anything posted on Facebook
A student’s Facebook entry chronicles the painful details of a romantic break-up. Or describes an ill-spent weekend partying with friends. Or scathingly blisters someone who holds differing political views. Fast-forward a few years. That same student sits in a job…
HERITAGE: Getting ready for the Congress!
Virginia Baptists are making travel plans for the 20th Baptist World Congress, the great gathering of the Baptist World Alliance. Every five years the Congress is held in a different location around the world. In July, the Congress is in…
A focus on transformation
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Across the months of January and February, student leaders from Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Virginia Tech utilized the arts, interactive experiences and children’s stickers to engage their peers with the message of the transforming power of Christ. …