WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court effectively enabled states to move forward with executions April 16, declaring constitutional a kind of lethal injection used in almost all of the nation’s 30-plus death chambers. In its Baze v. Rees (No. 07-5439)…
Delayed life choices demand new strategies, scholar insists
PRINCETON, N.J. (RNS) — As increasing numbers of young people postpone marriage and children, other life choices — like returning to church — are affected as well, according to a leading scholar of American Protestantism. As a result, Princeton Univer-sity's…
Theologian urges greater sensitivity to suicide
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Churches can be a major factor in preventing suicide if they are willing to learn about the problem and reach out with compassion, said a theologian who specializes in pastoral care related to suicide. “People who…
Some Jews ‘uneasy’ with high-profile Christian allies
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In recent years, conservative Christians have emerged as some of the most vocal supporters of the state of Israel — support many Jewish groups have welcomed at a time when they feel Israel is under siege. One…
FAITH DIGEST
Most ministries submit materials to Grassley. Two-thirds of the prominent ministries Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating are cooperating with requests to provide financial information. Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga., said it will provide…
Virginia author interprets Anne Frank in poem
CHESAPEAKE — One might wonder why a Christian woman in Virginia would feel compelled to write a book of poetry about a little European Jewish girl who died more than half a century earlier. “I've even had Jewish people ask…
Taking care of business
Some best practices in the corporate world translate well to the nonprofit sector, including churches, experts insist. And at the same time, churches can benefit by looking at some lessons failed business learned the hard way. Baptists with expertise in…
Pastor describes McCain as devout
PHOENIX (ABP) — John McCain has a deep and personal Christian commitment despite his reluctance to speak publicly about it, according to the man the presumptive GOP presidential nominee claims as his pastor. Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist…
Good leaders in business and church possess some of the same qualities
The same leadership skills that make many of the best business leaders successful also can enable church leaders to fulfill their potential, some Christian business experts note. “In both worlds, … leaders go first. Leaders set the culture,” said Craig…
‘Peace committee’ proposed for Missouri
REPUBLIC, Mo. (ABP) — As battles between conservatives continue to roil the Missouri Baptist Convention, one prominent layman in the state is proposing a miniature re-creation of the ill-fated Southern Baptist Convention “Peace Committee.” But the convention's president — cautioning…
BTSR budget shortfall leads to faculty lay-off for four
RICHMOND — Faced with “worrisome” financial challenges, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will downsize its faculty and staff, the school's president announced April 8. Four full-time professors and at least three administrative staff members will be let go in an…
What’s behind the Saudi monotheism summit?
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A group of visiting Japanese scholars was making a routine courtesy call recently on King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz when the monarch raised a subject that, as he put it, had “obsessed me since two years…