SAN FRANCISCO (ABP) — The same California court that handed gay-rights supporters a major victory last year handed them a significant, but expected, defeat May 26. Nonetheless, the state Supreme Court’s 6-1 decision to uphold a state constitutional amendment halting…
Calif. high court upholds Prop 8, but does not revoke existing marriages
Experts: Sotomayor’s record on religion unlikely to stir controversy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Supporters of separation between church and state reacted cautiously May 26 to President Obama’s selection of Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor meets with President Obama prior…
Baptist Women in Ministry announces Davis Award recipients for 2009
ATLANTA (ABP) — A support group for Baptist women in ministry has awarded a recent graduate of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary and a student at Central Baptist Theological Seminary for excellence in ministry. Marquette Bugg, who graduated…
SBC not flexible enough to value churches who do missions outside system, says Hunt
WOODSTOCK, Ga. (ABP) — Part of the reason Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt was ready to “shock the system” with a strongly worded call to a “Great Commission Resurgence” is that he and other leading Southern Baptist pastors feel…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Why handouts?
In my attendance at our Baptist meetings — associational, state and national — I’ve often questioned, within my own mind, why we spend so much money on advertising — promoting our ministry efforts through handouts. It seems somehow redundant, for…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Darfur atrocities
Your editorial on the atrocities against the people of Darfur was vividly thorough, though long overdue. While I commend you for your coverage, I was appalled at your veiled comparisoin of the alleged torture of prisoners at the Guantanamo prison…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Evolution is uncertain
I am responding to previous letters by Marylee Sturgiss (April 23), John Klink (March 12) and Spencer Williams (May 7). Ms. Sturgiss, please allow me to humbly treat the various issues you raise in your response to Mr. Klink in…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Saddened by school closing
I am saddened by the decision of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary administrators and trustees to close the School of Church Music and Worship at my alma mater, and move the remainder into a lesser role in a different division of…
Churches can become welcoming places to parents of children with learning differences
Parents of squirming children who cannot stay focused and who often end up labeled as “troublemakers” some-times feel isolated – and maybe even unwelcome in church. Author Maren Angellotti believes they are in good company. The parents of John the…
Parents look inward, not upward, for guidance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Most American parents believe their parenting skills and family lives are pretty good, but they are reluctant to describe their homes as peaceful, relaxed or joyful. They say their daily family time consists mostly of eating…
Huguenot Road Church transforms sister congregation
RICHMOND — Last month the ministerial and support staffs at Huguenot Road Baptist Church were not in the office for three days–and it wasn’t spring break. On March 30-April 1 they could be found at a sister church engaging in…