Lyn Robbins, left, discusses action with Stephen Wilson, chair of the Executive Committee's bylaws work group. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has asked a Texas church to clarify its views on homosexuality before determining whether…
SBC Executive Committee postpones vote on membership of Texas church
Lyn Robbins, left, discusses action with Stephen Wilson, chair of the Executive Committee's bylaws work group. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has asked a Texas church to clarify its views on homosexuality before determining whether…
Contact with global partners gave church expanded vision
Lynne Hybels told participants at The Next Big Idea Conference how Willow Creek Church, near Chicago, became transformed through its global partnerships in developing countries. (BAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY/Robert Rogers)WACO, Texas (ABP) — When Lynne Hybels and her husband, Bill, started a…
Service central to becoming an externally focused church
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Chase Oaks Church in Plano, Texas, and LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, Colo., minister 817 miles apart. But they stand side-by-side in their response a devastating question-and-answer. Q: If their church evaporated, would anybody outside the church…
Simple steps lead to ‘next-level’ ministry to communities
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Churches can strengthen the ministries they provide to their communities by taking five key steps, ministry specialist Amy Sherman told participants during the recent Next Big Idea conference at Baylor University. The “next level” of ministry…
Basketball player at Baptist university suspended after altercation
DANVILLE, Va. (ABP) — A student athlete at historically Baptist Averett University has been suspended from the men’s basketball team and could face and could face criminal charges after allegedly beating a teammate at practice Feb. 13. The Register &…
Arkansas House passes bill allowing guns in church
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — The Arkansas House of Representatives approved a bill Feb. 11 that would allow people with concealed-weapon permits to bring their guns to church. The bill, approved by the House by a vote of 57-42, now…
Arkansas House passes bill allowing guns in church
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — The Arkansas House of Representatives approved a bill Feb. 11 that would allow people with concealed-weapon permits to bring their gun to church. The bill, approved by the House by a vote of 57-42, now…
Kay Warren: Following Christ means being ‘seriously disturbed’
Kay Warren described her transformation from a “suburban mom” and pastor’s wife to global activist for orphans and advocate for people with HIV/AIDS. Warren talked with participants at The Next Big Idea conference at Baylor University. (BAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY/Robert Rogers)WACO, Texas…
It takes a village to renew community and build healthy society
Residents of a poor Shreveport neighborhood work in the Allendale Garden of Hope and Love, a community garden that occupies a vacant lot once frequented by drug dealers. (PHOTOS/David Westerfield/Community Renewal International)WACO, Texas (ABP) — On a corner lot in…
Relying on pastors for everything limits ministry, speaker says
WACO, Texas (ABP) — A church that depends upon its pastor for ministry fails both the pastor and the laypeople, ministry strategist Alan Nelson recently told participants at The Next Big Idea conference at Baylor University. A litany of woes…
Pastor says faith sustaining family of pilot in deadly plane crash
LUTZ, Fla. (ABP) — The pilot of a deadly plane crash Feb. 12 in upstate New York was a Southern Baptist. Marvin Renslow, captain of the Continental Connection commuter flight that went down and crashed into a home while trying…