JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Jerry Rankin, 67, has announced that he will retire next year after 17 years as president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rankin announced his plans to step down — at the…
Only 1 in 3 churches spiritually ‘vital,’ study says
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — A congregation's health depends less on theology than methodology, according to a first look at an upcoming national study by Hartford Seminary's Institute for Religion Research. Faith Communities Today 2008, due out Oct. 15, paints an…
Jerry Rankin to retire as IMB president in July 2010
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jerry Rankin announced Sept. 16 he will retire as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board this summer, ending a 17-year tenure as head of the mission agency. Rankin will be 68 when he retires…
Uzbek Baptist head, two other leaders face 3-year prison term
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (ABP) — The head of Uzbekistan's Baptist union and two colleagues face up to three years in prison on charges of tax evasion and teaching children about religion without permission from their parents — a crime in the…
UPDATED: Convicted felon loses bid to regain National Baptist presidency
(Editor's note: This story expands and updates a story originally published Sept. 9.) WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite a highly publicized effort to regain the presidency of the nation's largest African-American Baptist denomination, disgraced pastor Henry Lyons overwhelmingly lost his election…
Cecil Sherman honored as ABP’s Religious Freedom Award recipient
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Cecil Sherman, a pivotal figure in moderate Baptist life for the past half century, was recognized Sept. 10 for his fierce commitment to religious freedom as Associated Baptist Press presented him one of its top awards…
Scandal-plagued pastor loses bid to regain National Baptist presidency
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite a highly publicized effort to regain the presidency of the nation's largest African-American Baptist denomination, disgraced pastor Henry Lyons overwhelmingly lost his election bid Sept. 10. Henry Lyons, a former president of the National Baptist Convention…
Cecil Sherman receives ABP’s religious freedom award
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Cecil Sherman, a pivotal figure in moderate Baptist life for the past half century, was formally recognized Sept. 10 for his fierce commitment to religious freedom as Associated Baptist Press presented him one of its top…
Baylor study: Clergy sexual misconduct with adults widespread
WACO, Texas (ABP) — In any given congregation with 400 adult members, seven women on average have been victims of clergy sexual misconduct since they turned 18, a new study reveals. “We knew anecdotally that clergy sexual misconduct with adults…
Cecil Sherman honored as ABP’s Religious Freedom Award recipient
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Cecil Sherman, a pivotal figure in moderate Baptist life for the past half century, was recognized Sept. 10 for his fierce commitment to religious freedom as Associated Baptist Press presented him one of its top awards…
BGCT accesses $1 million from reserve funds
DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has decided to tap $1 million of its reserve funds to help support the organization’s ministry as the economy slowly begins to pull out of the recession, officials announced Sept. 14….
Samford basketball player found dead in dorm room
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Samford University basketball player Jim Griffin was found dead in his dorm room Sept. 8. School officials believe he died in his sleep from an undetectable heart condition, but results from an autopsy won’t be available…