RICHMOND — Kirby Smith has his life back. After years of struggling with clinical depression — what he calls “a hell on earth” — the Virginia Baptist pastor has discovered in both medical and psychological treatment a way to deal…
Church finances begin to feel impact of economic crisis
DALLAS (ABP) — Churches that aren’t cutting their budgets due to the economic downturn are, by and large, taking measures to curb expenses, according to a survey the National Association of Church Business Administration has done of its members. The…
Gift of $2 million to fund new chapel on Central Seminary campus
SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Central Baptist Theological Seminary will be able to build a chapel on its new Shawnee, Kan., campus thanks to a $2 million gift from a prominent Baptist family foundation. The John and Eula Mae Baugh Foundation…
Widow of slain pastor says she isn’t angry at accused killer
MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — The widow of slain Baptist pastor Fred Winters says she harbors no anger toward her husband's alleged murderer. "I do not have any hatred or even hard feelings toward him," Cindy Winters said March 16 on…
Church gathers week after pastor slain
MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — One of a select fraternity of pastors who has experienced a church shooting consoled and challenged an Illinois Baptist congregation one week after its popular pastor was fatally shot while preaching his Sunday sermon. "You are…
Church gathers for worship week after pastor slain
MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — One of a select fraternity of pastors who has experienced a church shooting consoled and challenged an Illinois Baptist congregation one week after its popular pastor was fatally shot while preaching his Sunday sermon. "You are…
Slain Baptist pastor hailed as hero, martyr
MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — A fellow pastor and former church member hailed slain Baptist preacher Fred Winters as a "hero and a martyr" at a memorial service at First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill., March 13. "I believe with all…
Slain Baptist pastor hailed as hero, martyr
A hearse carries the body of Fred Winters from First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill., where he was pastor for 22 years. MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — A fellow pastor and former church member hailed slain Baptist preacher Fred Winters as…
Freeman: For women, proper question not ‘ordination,’ but ‘calling’
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. (ABP) — Asking whether women should be ordained to the ministry is the wrong question, according to Baptist professor Curtis Freeman. “The question is, ‘Who is being gifted in the church?’” said Freeman, research professor of theology…
Freeman: For women, proper question not ‘ordination’ but ‘calling’
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. (ABP) — Asking whether women should be ordained to the ministry is the wrong question, according to Baptist professor Curtis Freeman. “The question is, ‘Who is being gifted in the church?’” said Freeman, research professor of theology…
Opinion: The future of American Christianity
(ABP) — Trinity College’s American Religious Identification Survey was released March 9. Its headline finding, as summarized by USA Today: “Faith is shifting, drifting or vanishing outright.” The news that “almost all denominations are losing ground” is sobering indeed. It…
Opinion: The future of American Christianity
(ABP) — Trinity College’s American Religious Identification Survey was released March 9. Its headline finding, as summarized by USA Today: “Faith is shifting, drifting or vanishing outright.” The news that “almost all denominations are losing ground” is sobering indeed. It…