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…
Opinion: Torture is the bone caught in America’s throat
It is clear to me that the problem of torture is like a bone caught in our national throat. We can't swallow it, but we can't quite spit it out. And so we are choking on it. The sound of…
Huckabee endorsement brings IRS investigation of Wiley Drake
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Outspoken California pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention officer Wiley Drake is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. The candidate for the SBC presidency this year is under scrutiny for using his church letterhead and church-sponsored…
Surgery causes Al Mohler to bow out of SBC race
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptists' oldest seminary and spokesman for conservative social causes, will bow out of the race to head the nation's largest Protestant denomination, according to a Feb. 14 statement. Mohler will undergo…
Religious voters in ‘Potomac Primary’ boost Obama, protest McCain
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In the latest presidential primary contests, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama improved his position among Catholics on the Democratic side while most white evangelicals chose not to vote for Arizona Sen. John McCain, even though he is now…
CBF council approves budget, reports revenue shortfalls at February meeting
ATLANTA (ABP) -– Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship approved a $16.5 million budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year and heard of budget shortfalls during the CBF Coordinating Council's Feb. 7-8 meeting in Decatur, Ga. The council's finance committee reported…
Polls, authors say white evangelicals embracing political independence
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A raft of recent polls and books suggest that the evangelical vote may be turning — or returning — to a more even distribution between the Republican and Democratic parties. A Zogby International poll released Feb. 11…
Texas’ Church Under the Tree reaches disenfranchised youth
ROCKWALL, Texas (ABP) — Commitment is the key to a fruitful ministry, Ron Evans says. He should know. He is the pastor of a church that literally meets under a tree. On any given Sunday afternoon, people of all ages…
Dobson backs Huckabee after Romney bows out
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (ABP) — In a move unprecedented for him, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has endorsed a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. In a statement released Feb. 7, Dobson backed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee…
Baptist ministry assistants gather for certification
Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia (BMAV) will gather in Virginia Beach April 1-4 for professional certification and skillshops at the Quality Inn & Suites — Oceanfront. The theme for this conference is “Teaching by the Seaside” and is taken from…
Essay contest announced
RICHMOND — High school students are invited to enter the third annual Roots & Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The contest is open to all 11th and 12th grade high school…
Seminar set on Islam
EMPORIA — Muslim beliefs will be part of the focus of a one-day seminar on Islam presented at Main Street Baptist Church in Emporia on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Christians Look at Islam: Islam in…