GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — North Carolina Baptist churches soon won't be able to support the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship through the state convention, messengers decided at their annual meeting Nov. 12. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina voted to kill…
SECOND OPINION: Dear Michelle
Dear Michelle: I'm probably supposed to call you something more important now that you'll soon be our country's first lady, but I'm not sure what I should call you exactly, and, anyway, we're not much for titles around here. I…
OUT LOUD
“Deuteronomy says if your kid doesn't follow your God, kill 'em. That's what we do, but not physically. To us, you're dead if you're not serving our God.” Star R. Scott The pastor of Calvary Temple in Loudon County was…
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Congregations are being torn apart by conflict. Usually, the decisions to resolve the issues are decided by majority votes. Why is there no deference to minority reports? After all, that is the ground out of which Baptists developed. Controversy and…
Obama narrows — but doesn’t close — the electoral ‘God gap’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Analysis of exit polls dissecting Barack Obama's historic presidential victory indicates the “God gap” dividing American politics remains in place, but Obama fashioned a victory by significantly narrowing it nearly everywhere — among those who worship frequently…
Leading the black church: Can it be a woman’s place?
CLEVELAND (RNS) — Imelda Ellison sits quietly in her pew as, one by one, dressed all in white, the members of the Emmanuel Women of Worship come down the center aisle. Their heads held high, 15 women step and sway,…
Fair trade fights poverty
A Cambodian woman makes a bag sold by Trade as One in Good News Goods markets, as well as online. (PHOTOS courtesy of Trade as One) DALLAS (ABP) — Any so-called gospel that fails to take seriously Jesus’ proclamation of…
Have yourself a simple little Christmas
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — It’s time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do…
A ‘Simple Christmas’ suggestion box
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. (ABP) — Here are some suggestions to reduce and reallocate Christmas spending habits: • Draw names instead of…
Tough economic times don’t dim lights on Living Christmas Trees
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — Rather than cutting back on lavish Christmas programs this year due to the economy,…
Have yourself a simple little Christmas
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — It’s time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same…
Fair trade fights poverty, allows gift giving with a clear conscience
A Cambodian woman makes a bag sold by Trade as One in Good News Goods markets, as well as online. (PHOTOS courtesy of Trade as One) EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced…