RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (RNS) — Hundreds of Muslim leaders from around the world have endorsed Saudi King Abdullah's recent call for intensified interfaith dialogue in order to dampen global conflict and demonstrate Islam's commitment to solving world problems. The declaration…
Polygamist sect’s children sing, write poems to thank Baptists
GONZALES, Texas (ABP) — Children seized from a polygamist sect's compound and temporarily entrusted to a Texas Baptist child-care agency bid farewell to their former caretakers May 31 with poetry, song and strong emotion. In anticipation of a court ruling…
FAITHSHAPERS: Teaching tricky topics: The Trinity (2)
God sent Jesus partly to make himself real to us, and his reality makes Jesus the easiest topic among the Trinity. By teaching children about the nature of Jesus, we also teach them about the nature of God and the…
Jesuits promise ‘creative fidelity’ to Pope
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Responding to explicit requests from Pope Benedict XVI, leaders of the Jesuits declared their fidelity to the papacy and church doctrine, while stressing their need for “freedom” and “creativity” in carrying out their work. The statements…
Heritage Tour of New England
The brilliant fall colors of New England! A brilliant Baptist scholar! Heritage Tour of New England Oct. 3-8, 2008, Providence, R.I. Join Dr. Walter Shurden Renowned Baptist historian and minister-at-large, Mercer University Sponsored by Associated Baptist Press Celebrating the 400th…
SBC officials reject idea of sex-offender database
INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — Citing Baptists' “belief in the autonomy of each local church,” a Southern Baptist Convention official announced May 10 that the denomination's Executive Committee would not support the creation of a database of sexual offenders in SBC churches….
SBC business items include bids to re-join BWA, oust churches
INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention will consider rejoining the Baptist World Alliance, removing churches that hire women pastors and restricting agency heads from serving as SBC president. Messengers presented those and 20 other motions during the SBC annual…
Volunteers in missions: Short-term workers make long-term impact
COLUMBIA, Mo. (ABP) — Kevin and Naomi Scantlan of Columbia, Mo. feel called to international missions. But as integrated technology services analysts at University of Missouri Health Care and church lay leaders, committing to years abroad really isn't feasible. That's…
Baptists to have place to worship, baptize near historic Jordanian site
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptist visitors to Jordan will soon have a place to worship near the historic spot traditionally viewed as the site of Jesus' baptism. King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan has conveyed a plot of land…
Volunteers in missions: Texas church’s reach extends to Macedonia’s families
PRIDDY, Texas (ABP) — Their church building may be small and unassuming, but members of one tiny Texas church are making a powerful impact on children living in the ghetto of Skojpe, Macedonia. A few years ago, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…
God uses broken vessels, pastors are assured
INDIANAPOLIS—God calls and uses broken people for his service, participants at the Monday morning session of the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference learned. Brokenness is “the recognition of our shattered pride without a need to glue it back together again,” said…
Establishment candidate Johnny Hunt wins SBC presidency on 1st ballot
INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) – Atlanta-area pastor Johnny Hunt was elected Southern Baptist Convention president over five contenders on the first ballot June 10, returning control of the 16 million-member denomination to its fundamentalist establishment. On the first day of the 2008…