DES MOINES, Iowa (ABP) — One of the nation's three largest insurers of congregations has backed away from covering lawsuits filed as a result of church splits and denominational disputes. Since July, GuideOne Insurance of West Des Moines, Iowa, has…
Southeastern Seminary student charged with child sex abuse
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Police have charged a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary student with sexually abusing a 10-year-old child at an after-hours YMCA program, re-emphasizing the growing problem of sex abuse among Southern Baptist clergy. It's not the first time…
Rob Bell: Christians shouldn’t fear controversy over doctrine
LOUISVILLE, Ky (ABP) — Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., has become a controversial figure among evangelical Christians. On a recent stop for his lecture tour, “The Gods Aren't Angry,” in Louisville, Bell sat…
Burleson lauded for helping professor fired by Southwestern for being female
MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists' most outspoken pastors has been recognized for his defense of women — although he does not personally feel women should serve as pastors. Wade Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Okla.,…
Author John Grisham joins lineup of New Baptist Covenant speakers
ATLANTA (ABP) — Mega-author John Grisham, whose recent novels have revealed his deeply rooted Christian faith, will deliver a rare public speech at the New Baptist Covenant meeting in late January. Grisham, a member of University Baptist Church in Charlottesville,…
New Baptist Covenant, Huckabee rank as top stories in ‘07, journalists say
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The biggest news story among Baptists in 2007 was about an event that has not even happened yet — the announcement of an unprecedented meeting of Baptists from across North America — according to an informal survey…
New Baptist Covenant, Huckabee rank as top stories in ‘07, journalists say
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The biggest news story among Baptists in 2007 was about an event that has not even happened yet — the announcement of an unprecedented meeting of Baptists from across North America — according to an informal survey…
Former atheist shapes youth program through Baptist agency in Moldova
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Five weeks in North Carolina undid a lifetime of atheism for Tatiana Ceban. Nearly 14 years later, she is helping a Baptist agency craft a transitional living program for youth who have aged out of government-run…
For some, happy holidays means no gifts
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS)—Scrap the gift lists. Trash the wrapping paper. Blow off the mall. That's the mind-set of Americans who can't stomach exchanging holiday presents. They aren't grinches or scrooges. They just reject what they consider the wastefulness and stress…
Bluefield scholarship to aid ministers
BLUEFIELD—A Virginian's love for Christian ministry will result in more trained ministers, thanks to an endowed scholarship established in his memory at Bluefield College. Sheridan Williams of Max Meadows wanted to preserve the legacy of her husband, Elbert Williams, and…
Churches’ cooperation strengthen ministry in among students in China
MACAU, China — Eager hands reached for strips of paper. “This one goes next,” voices shouted as the group of Chinese students pieced the strips together to tell the story of Christ's birth. The problem: the story had been written…
That’s a wrap: Lakewood Manor’s Wilson is wrapping machine
RICHMOND—At this holiday gift-giving time, Stacey Wilson, Lakewood Manor's program coordinator, becomes a wrapping machine. She is not wrapping the presents for her friends and families but for the Lakewood residents. Lakewood Manor resident Peggy Warren (right) gets help with…