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…
Grassley targets ministries’ alleged abuse of tax laws
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sen. Chuck Grass-ley insists that he's not trying to impose his Baptist theology on Pentecostal and Charismatic ministries; he simply wants them to obey the tax laws. The Iowa Republican has drawn fire for using his position…
VBS influence too great to ignore, says LifeWay resource specialist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Vacation Bible School is huge. How huge? Almost 1 in 16 children ages 5-12 in America was enrolled in a Southern Baptist VBS, according to figures from 2006. Add the number of non-SBC Vacation Bible Schools…
On March 4, Catholics boost Clinton; evangelicals can’t save Huckabee
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In the March 4 election contests, Hillary Clinton reestablished her previous support among Catholic Democrats while continued evangelical support wasn't enough to keep Mike Huckabee in the GOP race. The upshot of religious voters' effect in the…
Correction
In the March 4 story titled “Kidnapped worker, Afghan driver apparently dead in Afghanistan,” please change the 19th graph to: According to an April 10, 1997, BP story, the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, led by Palmer, launched ARLDF, which…
Correction
There was an error the March 4 ABP story, “Kidnapped worker, Afghan driver apparently dead in Afghanistan.” Baptist Global Response did not found the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center or the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation, but is led by…
Catholics, others denounce McCain for courting Hagee
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Arizona Sen. John McCain may have imperiled his chances with one important religious constituency by appealing to another. Democratic leaders and conservative Catholic groups alike have criticized the Republican presidential candidate for courting an endorsement from Texas…
Kidnapped worker, Afghan driver apparently dead in Afghanistan
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (ABP) – A kidnapped aid worker from a Baptist background and her Afghan driver are believed dead, according to the agency that supported them. Cydney Mizell, 50, and Muhammad Hadi, whose age is unknown, were taken at gunpoint…