Last year, sacred music composer Christopher Teichler noted a disturbing paradox. The widely observed decline in biblical literacy among American Christians has paralleled a growing interest in developing new and enriched ways of worshipping. Some ministers are saying a bracing…
Baptist songwriter William Reynolds dies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — William Reynolds, long-time Southern Baptist musician and author of popular hymns including “Share His Love” and “People to People,” died March 28. Reynolds, 88, worked 25 years in the church-music department of the Sunday School Board…
Songwriter William Reynolds dies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — William Reynolds, author of popular hymns including Share His Love and People to People, died March 28. Reynolds, 88, worked 25 years in the church music department of the Baptist Sunday School Board of the Southern…
Texas textbook decisions on science standards have national implications
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — More than two centuries after his birth and nearly 150 years after his groundbreaking On the Origin of Species was published, Charles Darwin is still a controversial character in Texas. And the latest battle over his…
Coalition takes aim at reducing domestic, global poverty
WASHINGTON (ABP) — More than 1,000 faith leaders and activists are expected to descend on Washington this month in what planners say is one of largest and most diverse coalitions ever to fight against domestic and global poverty. Jim Wallis,…
Baptist newspapers adapt to changing industry
DALLAS (ABP) — Hard times have fallen on the newspaper industry, and the Baptist journalism world isn't being spared. Recently the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention sent out a letter announcing it is ceasing publication of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Witness,…
Mo. appeals court refuses to rehear convention suit against Windermere
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A Missouri appeals panel announced March 31 that it will not re-hear the Missouri Baptist Convention’s argument against Windermere Baptist Conference Center, nor will it transfer the case to the state’s highest court. Convention officials…
Philip Wise, pastor active in moderate Baptist life, dies
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Philip Wise, a leader in moderate Baptist life who helped pave the way for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's becoming a member of the Baptist World Alliance, died March 30, less than a year after being diagnosed…
Philip Wise, pastor active in moderate Baptist life, dies
Philip Wise, a longtime pastor active in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Baptist World Alliance, died less than a year after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Philip Wise, a leader in moderate Baptist life who helped pave…
Baptist church, pastor minister after shooting at N.C. nursing home
Thomas Herndon is pastor of First Baptist Church in Carthage, N.C., and chaplain of the Carthage Police Department. (PHOTO/Steve DeVane)CARTHAGE, N.C. (ABP) — First Baptist Church in Carthage, N.C., designed its fellowship hall to be used in a disaster. But…
RIGHT or WRONG: Praying in school
My child’s kindergarten teacher taught him a prayer, which his class recites before lunch. Do you think that is OK, or should I talk to her? If the public school teacher shares your religious beliefs, you might be tempted to…
SECOND OPINION: The source and cure for what ails us
For more than a decade I hosted a nationally syndicated talk show. I read five newspapers a day, 30 journals a month and a few books a week. All of that helped me learn to spot certain trends, and all…