WASHINGTON (ABP) — Americans who expected President Obama to make swift and dramatic changes from his predecessor on church-state relations may be disappointed. In his first few months in office, Obama has indicated only a handful of alterations to President…
SECOND OPINION: Religious liberty lives in Virginia through Christ’s example
Tony Campolo has said that trying to mix the predominantly secular power of the state with the spiritual power of the Church is like trying to mix manure with ice cream. It doesn’t hurt the manure, but the ice cream…
Human rights offering helps Christians in Middle East plant house churches
FREMONT, Calif. (ABP) — She gets up early, traveling all day to teach Bible studies and lead worship services. She must remain unknown to keep the churches she works with safe. She does her work quietly, fearing persecution — or…
BAPTIST BRIEFS
American Baptists reject restructuring. Delegates to the American Baptist Churches USA biennial meeting in Pasadena, Calif., torpedoed a major restructuring backed by denominational officials but criticized by some leaders and churches. They voted 377-217 in favor of the bylaws changes…
Conservative evangelicals say ballot is key to win
The ink had barely dried on Maine Gov. John Baldacci’s signature legalizing gay marriage in May when Catholic and evangelical opponents began circulating a petition for a “people’s veto” to override lawmakers with a simple majority at the ballot box….
Religious liberty demands constant vigilance, congressman insists
HOUSTON — An advocate in the U.S. Congress for church-state separation thanked Baptists for their contributions to religious liberty and reminded them of the need to continue defending the wall of separation. “I have seen too often the political temptations…
Transformed lives — not just sobriety — the goal of recovery ministries
Terry Walker fell to his knees in the shower stall of a South Texas substance abuse treatment center, crying out to God for release from the chains of addiction. “God blessed me with the gift of desperation,” Walker said. “At…
Highest freedom is freely giving self to God, Baptist historian says
HOUSTON — Baptists must aspire to the kind of freedom that leads them to relinquish their autonomy to God, historian Walter Shurden told participants at the William H. Whitsitt Baptist Heritage Society’s annual meeting. Shurden received the society’s 2009 Courage…
FAITH DIGEST
Christianity Today cuts back. Christianity Today International, citing hard times in the publishing industry, is shutting down four publications and laying off 31 workers. Two magazines will fold later this year — Today’s Christian Woman and the Campus Life College…
Ministry network recognized, hailed as emerging trend at commissioning service
HOUSTON — Participants at a commissioning service held in conjunction with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly not only prayed for six field personnel assuming new assignments, but also recognized representatives of a ministry network serving in China. Pastor Steve…
CBF adopts budget, acknowledges ‘difficult fiscal year’
HOUSTON (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellow-ship adopted a $16.15 million budget but will begin the 2009-2010 fiscal year spending at 80 percent of projected income, anticipating continued reduced giving due to the economy. “It will come as no surprise…
Young pastors urge CBF supporters to ‘embrace the world’
HOUSTON (ABP) — Participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly heard a visceral call to embrace the world — and all their neighbors — in worship. Taylor Sandlin, pastor of Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas, helps participants…