RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — One sees them occasionally. Abandoned church buildings in rural areas stand in mute witness to changing times. In urban areas, big brick structures once crowded with eager worshipers now house restaurants, community centers or even nightclubs….
A Time to Die: How do — and should — churches die?
(ABP) — Churches close their doors every day. But is a church’s death inevitable? Who can give congregations permission to die? Should church members feel guilty for closing their facility’s doors? Peter Bush, author of In Dying We are Born:…
Seminary president apologizes for calling IMB head a liar
LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP) — The president of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary has apologized for calling the head of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board a liar, saying he got carried away in an interview while criticizing a mission strategy…
SBC to vote on reduced budget
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee is recommending $4.5 million in spending cuts next year in a Cooperative Program allocation budget to be voted on at the SBC's 2010 annual meeting June 15-16 in Orlando, Fla….
SBC leaders recommend 2nd reduced annual budget in a row
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee is recommending $4.5 million in spending cuts next year in a Cooperative Program allocation budget to be voted on at the SBC's 2010 annual meeting June 15-16 in Orlando, Fla….
EDITORIAL: Pewboy discovers theology
Pewboy was like a kid in a candy store. To be more precise, he was like an avid fisherman meandering through a boat show. He liked each one he saw better than the last. In his mind, he could see…
College student goes from wariness to embrace of elder-care ministry
HANNIBAL,Mo. (ABP) — For as long as she can remember, Katie Goldstein has been drawn to help people. Even in high school, the St. Louis native found ways to minister, especially among the homeless. Though the school’s human-services degree enticed…
On eve of summit, people of faith urge health-care reform
WASHINGTON (ABP) — On the eve of a bipartisan summit on health-care reform in the nation's capital, thousands of people of faith signed a letter urging the White House and Congress to "complete the task at hand on behalf of…
Group says U.S. foreign policy hampered by ignorance about religion
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States' foreign policy is hampered by a secular bias that causes policymakers to underestimate the role of religion in world affairs, a Midwestern think tank said in a 100-page report released Feb. 23. A task…
Former pastor convicted of murder seeks new trial
WACO, Texas (ABP) — A former Texas Baptist preacher convicted of murdering his wife says he deserves a new trial because his attorneys didn't adequately represent him. According to the Waco Tribune-Herald and other media reports, Matt Baker filed a…
Ministers go online to meet spouses
HOUSTON (ABP) — One in five Americans surfing the Internet is looking for romance, according to a recent poll. Online dating appeals even to young ministers, who due to their vocation must be wary about looking for love in the…
Ministers go online to meet spouses
HOUSTON (ABP) — One in five Americans surfing the Internet is looking for romance, according to a recent poll — and online dating appeals even to young ministers, who due to their vocation must be wary about looking for love…