WASHINGTON (ABP) — Barack Obama’s election as president could signal waning influence by the Christian Right in American politics, according to several experts — but his improvements over previous Democratic nominees’ appeal to religious voters could also simply be a…
Experts: Obama win may signal
Three evolution critics appointed to Texas curriculum-review panel
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Three of six members of a panel appointed to review proposed curriculum standards for Texas public-school science classes have criticized evolution. Because Texas is one of the largest markets for textbook sales in the United States,…
Baptist hymnody largely settles for two out of three in Trinity
Hymns sung in most Baptist churches historically have been “More About Jesus” than about either God the Father or the Holy Spirit, several church music experts agree. “From a Baptist perspective, I don't think the hymnody has ever been Trinitarian,”…
Pastor creates interfaith church where Christians are not in charge
NEW YORK (RNS) — A Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist and an atheist walk into a prayer meeting. Any number of punch lines could follow. But the members of Faith House Manhattan have serious business in mind. They…
Charismatic Southern Baptist churches see themselves as open to spiritual gifts
HIXSON, Tenn. (ABP) — Suffering from burnout after a decade as pastor of Central Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in suburban Chattanooga, Tenn., Ron Phillips wrote his resignation letter on a portable computer on the way to a meeting…
FAITH DIGEST
White literalists less likely to vote for minority candidates. More than eight in 10 white American Protestants would vote for a racial minority candidate for president, but fewer whites who interpret the Bible literally or who worship in an all-white…
Trinity debate trickles down to gender roles
DEERFIELD, Ill. (ABP) — There's a tempest brewing among evangelical theologians about the triune nature of God, with potential to spill beyond academic halls into relationships between males and females in the church and home. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School sponsored…
CBF Coordinating Council adopts new strategic priorities
ATLANTA — A year-long spiritual discernment process culminated Oct. 10 in the unanimous approval by its governing Coordinating Council of the re-prioritizing of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's work. In addition to the vote to adopt new strategic priorities and bless…
Two centuries and a quarter for Dover Baptist Association
Members from churches spanning seven counties gathered at New Highland Baptist Church in Mechanicsville Oct. 26 to commemorate the historic 225th anniversary of the Dover Baptist Association. The event, three years in the planning, celebrated Dover's long and storied history….
FCC bans some wireless microphones
WASHINGTON (BP) — After his church invested $250,000 in wireless technology, Chris Hinkle of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas is concerned by the federal government's Aug. 21 vote to ban wireless microphones in the 700 megahertz band. “There are 75…
Blue Ridge marks 150 years of ministry
Messengers to the Blue Ridge Baptist Association celebrated a century-and-a-half of ministry as they gathered Oct. 23 at Fairystone Baptist Church. Many came dressed in period attire as they looked back in time to celebrate their most significant accomplishments. Guest…
GuideStone Services adds property & casualty insurance
DALLAS (BP) — This fall, many Southern Baptist churches and ministries will have access to property and casualty insurance and risk management services from GuideStone Agency Services. The GuideStone Property & Casualty (P&C) Program will gradually roll out regionally over…