By looking back to their beliefs and practices from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century, Baptists can reclaim a view of baptism between the poles of sacramentalism and “mere symbolism,” church historian and theologian Sheila Klopfer said. Historically,…
Sewing skills are key for Portsmouth congregation
PORTSMOUTH — It started with a sewing pattern and a mission conference. Bruce Powers, pastor of Westhaven Baptist Church in Portsmouth, attended the MC2 conference sponsored by the VBMB last summer at Eagle Eyrie. Staffers of the Woman’s Missionary Union…
S.C. woman nominated as CBF moderator-elect
ATLANTA (ABP) — A graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond who has attended or worked only at churches aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has been nominated as the group's moderator-elect. If elected as expected Christy McMillin-Goodwin, associate minister…
Report says U.S. feeling effects of global warming
A government climate-change report predicts increases in very high temperatures, which scientists say will have wide-ranging affects. WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new government study on climate change says the United States is already feeling effects of human-induced global warming….
Report says United States already feeling effects of global warming
A government climate-change report predicts increases in very high temperatures, which scientists say will have wide-ranging affects. WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new government study on climate change says the United States is already feeling effects of human-induced global warming….
SBC president supports resolution celebrating Obama’s election
WOODSTOCK, Ga. (ABP) — The president of the Southern Baptist Convention has voiced support for a proposed SBC resolution celebrating President Obama's election. SBC President Johnny Hunt is pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga. SBC president Johnny Hunt…
Christopher Chapman to pastor prominent Raleigh church
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — A historic and prominent North Carolina Baptist church welcomes a new pastor to the pulpit June 21. Christopher Chapman becomes pastor of First Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., a 1,400-member congregation organized in 1812. He moves…
Jimmy Carter says Palestinians in Gaza treated like animals
ATLANTA (ABP) — Former President Jimmy Carter is calling Israel’s 2-year-old blockade of Gaza an “atrocity” and saying people there are being treated like animals. “Tragically, the international community largely ignores the cries for help, while the citizens of Gaza…
Religious leaders call for inquiry into U.S. use of torture
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A group of high-profile religious leaders from various faiths is pushing President Obama to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate alleged United States-sanctioned use of torture since 9/11. Thirty-three religious leaders met with administration officials after…
Historical records often scant on early U.S. Baptist women
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Women outnumbered men in many Baptist churches in colonial America, but most of their names have been lost to history, church historian Pam Durso lamented at a recent conference. “Some of the early Baptist church records…
Progressive movement in South left its mark on WMU history
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Southern-style Social Gospel may not be the first thing that springs to mind when most Baptists think of the Woman’s Missionary Union, but Southern progressivism significantly influenced the Southern Baptist organization in its formative years, church historian…
Historian: Origins of ordination among Baptists tangled
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — Pragmatism and tradition have stood alongside biblical and theological principles in shaping Baptist ordination practices, church historian Karen Bullock said at the recent B.H. Carroll Theological Institute colloquy. “The concept of ordination as practiced by Baptists today…