WASHINGTON (RNS) — A new study of more than 35,000 adult Americans by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life captures the depth and breadth of religious America — 78.4 percent Christian, 4.7 percent members of other faiths and…
Judge rules in Windermere’s favor, against convention
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Windermere Baptist Conference Center acted legally when it changed its articles of incorporation, Cole County (Mo.) Circuit Court Judge Richard Callahan ruled March 4. The ruling was the latest action in a lawsuit the Missouri…
FAITH DIGEST
Amazing Grace takes top honors. Amazing Grace, the big-budget film that traced the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, won Most Inspiring Movie of 2007 and Best Movie for Mature Audiences at the 16th annual Movieguide Faith and Values Awards in…
Baptists Today to honor Knight at 25th anniversary celebration
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Walker Knight, founding editor of Baptists Today, will be honored April 3 as part of the independent news journal's 25th anniversary celebration. Knight launched the national publication first known as SBC Today in 1983, shortly after…
Follow the money
Most observers of congregational life agree — a person can tell a lot about a church by looking at its budget. But exactly what conclusions can be drawn about a church's priorities remain an open question.tory “It's a question I've…
Obama speech spurs IRS investigation
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A speech that Barack Obama made last year to his fellow Congregationalists has spurred an Internal Revenue Service investigation that threatens the tax-exempt status of an entire denomination. Leaders of the Illinois senator's United Church of Christ…
Journalist Moyers’ son recounts journey from addiction to faith
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — William Cope Moyers grew up believing the prayer his parents taught him: “God is great. God is good.” But when his childlike faith in a good and great God died in a flash, he sought to…
Follow the money
Most observers of congregational life agree — a person can tell a lot about a church by looking at its budget. But exactly what conclusions can be drawn about a church's priorities remain an open question. “It's a question I've…
Obama says he’ll use ‘bully pulpit’ to encourage same-sex marriage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama sought the support of voters in the homosexual community Feb. 28, telling them in a letter that if elected president he would work to pass laws important to that constituency and…
Opinion: The battle for power and the spirit of Christ
(ABP) — In various ways I have been trying to pry open some space between our Christian understanding of the mission of the church and the work of earthly politics — without creating such a gulf that we retreat entirely…
Cash receipts and disbursements present challenges for churches
DALLAS — Handling cash presents some of the greatest challenges — and potential problems — for churches in terms of finances, said Roger Hall, retired chief financial officer and treasurer for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. “The biggest risk…
Wilberforce documentary to air on PBS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — One year after the movie Amazing Grace reintroduced America to William Wilberforce, a new documentary about the famous Christian abolitionist seeks to shed more light on the British man whose fight against slavery inspired Abraham Lincoln…