ATLANTA (ABP) — Why would some Baptist writers go out of their way to create the impression that the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is not even Christian? CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal said he is trying to answer that question after…
John Templeton, religious philanthropist, dead at 95
NASSAU, Bahamas (ABP) — Sir John Marks Templeton, religious philanthropist and founder of an annual award that honors innovation in religion, died of pneumonia July 8 in Nassau, Bahamas. He was 95. Perhaps most widely known for the Templeton Prize…
Carson-Newman names Baylor Provost Randall O’Brien president
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (ABP) — Veteran Baylor University professor and administrator Randall O’Brien has been named president of Carson-Newman College. Trustees of the Jefferson City, Tenn., school elected him July 8. O’Brien will assume full-time duties Jan. 1, 2009, after…
Economy may affect churches in ways other than giving
(ABP) — The bottoming markets, soaring gas and food prices and a steady stream of home foreclosures may be affecting other sectors of the economy, but that doesn’t mean church budgets will necessarily feel the pinch. But local congregations may…
Liberian student plans study at Oak Hill
Talk about culture shock. When Jimishua Beauty Dahn leaves Baptist-affiliated Ricks Institute in Liberia to attend Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, she will stepping into a different world. Dahn was selected by the faculty and staff of Ricks…
Radical change: Are Southern Baptists ready for it?
Johnny Hunt's election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention came as no real surprise. Going in, most people assumed that he had a better chance than most of the other five candidates to emerge as the eventual winner. What…
Virginia judge sides with churches
WASHINGTON (RNS)—A Civil War-era law that lets Virginia churches keep their property when leaving a denomination where a “division” has occurred is constitutional, a county judge ruled June 27, siding with 11 former Episcopal parishes. Fairfax County Judge Randy I….
Pastor aims at half his former self
PINE BLUFF, Ark. (BP)—Harold Chandler ain't half the preacher he once was. Last year, at 349 pounds, he was two cheeseburgers short of 350. Today he is under 190 pounds, well on his way to his goal of 170. He…
Bluefield group performs twice at Carnegie
BLUEFIELD—Piano virtuoso Authur Rubinstein was once approached on a New York City street near Carnegie Hall and asked, “Pardon me sir, but how do I get to Carnegie Hall?” He replied, “Practice, practice, practice.” Although Rubinstein's comment is legend, the…
Jesus in MySpace: Churches use social networking sites
(ABP)—Social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are redefining the way many Americans build and maintain relationships—and also how their churches communicate. In the last few years, relating to social contacts through such sites has become practically ubiquitous among the under-30…
EDITORIAL: SBC continues its snub of the BGAV
Since some of the more conservative among us withdrew from the Baptist General Association of Virginia in 1996, the BGAV has given to the Southern Baptist Convention through designated and undesignated gifts more than $85 million. Yet, in that length…
Young CBFers, responding to Sherman, call for end to bitter anti-SBC rhetoric
ATLANTA (ABP)—In response to controversial comments at the recent Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, a group of younger CBF supporters has called for an end to “old rhetoric” and for renewed attention to the world's needs. Seven leaders issued an…