WASHINGTON (ABP) — The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States began Jan. 18 with an invocation and ended Jan. 21 with a benediction. Controversy over religion between those bookend events highlighted America’s ongoing give-and-take over…
Youth from three denominations celebrate unity at Disney
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — Youth from three Christian denominations spent Martin Luther King Day Weekend exploring commonalities of their respective faiths through worship, education and community-building activities. Nearly 2,500 students in grades 6-12, group leaders and chaperones traveled to Orlando,…
Youth from three denominations celebrate unity at Disney
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — Youth from three Christian denominations spent Martin Luther King Day Weekend exploring commonalities of their respective faiths through worship, education and community-building activities. From left, Kendale Bridges, Macie Wilkins and Tonda Folk of First Baptist…
CBF leader writes President Obama with ‘heartfelt requests’
ATLANTA (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal sent an Inauguration Day letter congratulating Barack Obama and urging the newly sworn-in president to lead America in building a more civil and just society. Writing on behalf of the…
Ethnic missions pioneer Oscar Romo dies
CUMMING, Ga. (ABP) — Oscar Romo, a pioneer in starting ethnic Southern Baptist churches, died Jan. 16 from complications related to Parkinson's disease. Romo, 79, worked for the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, forerunner to today's North…
Ecumenical group says stimulus package should include the poor
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The nation’s most broadly ecumenical Christian group is urging the new administration of President-elect Obama to include help for the poor in any economic-stimulus package. Leaders of Christian Churches Together in the USA met with journalists, members…
Liberals, evangelicals call for common agenda on abortion, sexuality
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Progressive and evangelical leaders have joined together to propose shared policy solutions on issues that have long divided left and right in the so-called culture wars. Two years ago Third Way, a non-profit think tank that supports…
Survey: Protestants no more loyal to denomination than toothpaste brand
PHOENIX (ABP) — Protestants in the United States are about as loyal to their brand of toothpaste as their denomination, according to one research firm. A new poll by Ellison Research asked churchgoers who attend worship services at least once…
Historians debate reasons for rise of Landmarkism in 19th century
All Landmark Baptists believe in church succession, at least to some degree, but not every Baptist holding that position is — or was — a Landmarker, according to Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection. Neither J.M. Carroll,…
No evidence recession pulls people into pews
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Economic recession has not led to increased attendance at U.S. houses of worship, according to Gallup pollsters. Despite anecdotal evidence cited in high-profile media outlets, Americans' worship patterns held steady in 2008, the Gallup Poll reported. Since…
Baptists celebrate past with an eye to the future
In 400 years, the Baptist movement has grown to 200,000 churches with more than 50 million members in countries around the world. But even though Baptists globally continue to show statistical growth, the largest Baptist group in the United States…
Most Americans believe in multiple paths to salvation, survey reveals
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Most American Christians believe at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life, a new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reveals. Even among evangelicals, who profess belief that an individual must…