SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (ABP) — In a rare move, trustees of a Southern Baptist Convention agency voted Nov. 6 to censure one of their own and effectively bar him from carrying out the duties of his office. However, reform-minded Oklahoma pastor…
Pat Robertson endorses Giuliani despite views on abortion, gays
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The controversial founder of the Christian Coalition has endorsed a Republican presidential candidate known for his support of abortion rights and gay rights. In a Nov. 7 Washington press conference, television evangelist Pat Robertson announced he is…
Chuck Poole returns to former pulpit after 4 years among city’s poorest
JACKSON, Miss. (ABP) — In 2003, Chuck Poole left the pastorate of Northminster Baptist Church to minister to the street people of Jackson, Miss., and others living in poverty. Four-and-a-half-years later, he is returning to that same pulpit — changed…
Hundreds of North Carolina Baptists serve in weekend missions blitz
HENDERSON, N.C. (ABP) — The small Flint Hill neighborhood in Henderson, N.C., hadn't seen traffic like this in years. Cars and church vans packed into a small lot, bulldozers moved through the neighborhood, and dumpsters crowded the street — all…
National survey reveals lack of knowledge about First Amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the Founding Fathers meant the United States to be a Christian nation, and more than half believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation, a national survey revealed. Produced by The First…
Opinion: Toward a truly evangelical Baptist future
In moving this summer from Union University to Mercer University I transitioned from a school that moves in the orbit of the Southern Baptist Convention to an institution that moves in the orbit of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. And so…
Kerry hopes presidential candidates ‘get it right’ on religion in ’08 race
WASHINGTON (ABP) — On All Saints' Day 2007, John Kerry talked publicly about his faith in a way that many of his fellow Democrats wish he had in 2004, when he lost his presidential bid to President Bush. But, Kerry…
Response to immigration
My comments are directed at Daniel Carro's article titled “Immigration: What should churches Do?” in the Oct. 18 issue of the Religious Herald. Daniel Carro implied, if not recommended, that churches join the “New Sanctuary Movement,” a movement to disobey…
Baptists in New Mexico approve largest-ever budget, board members
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ABP) — Baptists in New Mexico approved the largest budget in convention history Oct. 24, which will require a substantial increase of Cooperative Program receipts from area churches. “God's Purpose, Our Destiny” was the theme of the Baptist…
Developer says foreclosure averted on former Windermere acreage
CAMDENTON, Mo. (ABP) — A refinancing agreement with a bank means private development will move forward on land adjacent to Missouri Baptists' Windermere Baptist Conference Center. Corporate representative Jerry Hill confirmed Oct. 25 that a foreclosure notice has been served…
BWA leader urges U.S. Baptists to cooperate
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Declaring that “the mission of God in this century of glorious mission opportunity needs as much unity as possible,” Baptist World Alliance President David Coffey is calling on his Baptist brethren in America to set aside…
Crapa, USCIRF director, dies; Land re-appointed to panel
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The director of a unique federal panel charged with promoting religious freedom worldwide has died after a struggle with cancer. Joseph Crapa, executive director of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, died Oct. 25, according…