(ABP) — Many of my friends and ministerial colleagues recently returned from the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta full of enthusiasm. I myself have yet to feel much excitement. Not that I'm not happy to see African-American…
SECOND OPINION: Pursuing edification and discernment
I recently had the privilege of enjoying the hospitality of the Englewood Christian Church of Indianapolis. This congregation isn't as well known as Saddleback, nor has its pastor (Michael Bowling) ever been interviewed by Larry King, but its story is…
Indian pastors’ conference hears reports of persecution of Christian believers
KOTTYAM, India — On the evening of December 24, 2007, as Christians in the Kandhamal District of the Indian state of Orissa were preparing for Christmas, a well-orchestrated attack on Christian churches and homes began. For three days the rampage…
Pastor points to Muslims as source of Kenya violence; experts disagree
DALLAS (ABP) — Religious extremism prompted much of the violence surrounding Kenya's disputed presidential elections, according to a Kenyan expatriate and Baptist pastor who lost a bid for a seat in parliament. But international experts with contacts in the region…
OUT LOUD
“In spite of their best efforts to steer people to another candidate … they failed. Why? Because the people said, ‘I don't care who you think I should vote for. I'm going to vote for who I want to vote…
Haggard leaves ‘restoration’ process with Colo. church
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (RNS) — Ted Haggard, the former pastor of a Colorado megachurch who was dismissed after a sex and drug scandal, has decided to end a “spiritual restoration” process that had been set up by the congregation. “He…
Will ‘evangelical center’ emerge to rival waning Christian Right?
(ABP) — If the Religious Right is losing its influence, as many pundits predict, will it be replaced by the “other” evangelicals — a center-and-left coalition with a broader social agenda and a kinder, gentler brand of cultural engagement? Advocates…
Gathering of the tribes
The opening session of the New Baptist Covenant was like being in church — a very large Baptist church with a huge congregation. African-American Baptists were dressed in their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes with those fantastic church hats. The younger generation of…
Wheaton officials withdraw from letter to Muslims
WHEATON, Ill. (RNS) — The president of Wheaton College, a flagship evangelical institution in Illinois, and two other school officials have removed their names from a letter that called for cooperation with Muslims. The open letter, drafted by Yale Divinity…
Sexual exploitation alive in America; churches can end it
ATLANTA (ABP) — Many church-goers know human trafficking and sexual exploitation are global issues. But more than 200,000 children in the United States have become “sex commodities” as well, Baptist social workers say. Ellyn Waller and Brenda Troy led a…
Ruth Stafford Peale, Guideposts founder, dies at 101
PAWLING, N.Y. (RNS) — Ruth Stafford Peale, the co-founder of the inspirational magazine Guideposts and widow of author and minister Norman Vincent Peale, died Feb. 6 at her home in Pawling, N.Y., the Guideposts organization announced. Peale, who was 101,…
FAITHSHAPERS: Introduction to spiritual formation
What are we trying to do to our children? You have probably read or heard the statistics that indicate the importance of instilling faith in children. The likelihood of a person coming to faith declines significantly with the onset of…