For many, the command not to worry about tomorrow is a mandate for ministers to live entirely by faith, especially in financial matters. But the command to be good stewards indicates an equal calling to use resources wisely, which includes…
IMB envisions 3,000 more missionaries on field
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP) — Many Southern Baptist churches that pride themselves in being “missions minded” might have a hard time convincing an impartial observer, an International Mission Board leader told trustees Sept. 12 at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center. The meeting…
SECOND OPINION: Celebrating Baptists’ 400th
The Baptist historian Robert Gardner said that “in the United States there are at least 57 different Baptist groups.” The largest Baptist group or denomination in North America is the Southern Baptist Convention with over 16 million members and over…
Thompson: Not regular churchgoer, won’t talk frequently about faith
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Although the newest GOP presidential candidate is gaining lots of positive attention from the leaders of the Religious Right, he is not involved in a local church and says he won't talk much about his faith on…
SECOND OPINION: Greeting a new pastor
On a recent Sunday I said farewell to a wonderful congregation where I have served for the past four months. I want to leave behind these thoughts on how to greet a new pastor. • First, honor the complexity. “Keep…
Progressive Baptist women wary of Clinton’s candidacy
NEW YORK (ABP) — Many Christian conservatives have put her in the “anyone but” category — they'll vote for anyone but Hillary Clinton. However, progressive Christians, who some think should be the senator's natural allies, aren't jumping on her bandwagon…
FAITHSHAPERS: Introducing reinforcement
Parenting with a long-term focus rests on our ability to strategically increase desirable behaviors while reducing undesirable ones. Our next few articles will focus on how parents can take greater control of the learning process. The key is to remember…
Southern Baptist leaders retract blog endorsements
NEW YORK (ABP) — Several well-known Southern Baptist leaders have rescinded their previous endorsements of a controversial blog that provides news and opinion related to the Southern Baptist Convention. Jerry Rankin, David Dockery, Thom Rainer and Frank Page all initially…
Candidates’ religious commitment not a big voter draw, survey shows
WASHINGTON (ABP)—A new survey of voters' attitudes toward presidential candidates shows that being perceived as highly religious may not help the 2008 hopefuls much. The study, released by two bipartisan public-interest groups, also suggests many issues most important to conservative…
Pastors collaborate on new SBC blog
NEW YORK (ABP) — Four conservative pastors have joined the increasingly wild and wooly frontier of blogs discussing the state of the Southern Baptist Convention. Robin Foster, Wes Kenney, Tim Rogers, and Joe Stewart have announced the launch of a…
McCain’s claim of Baptist identity raises reporter, blogger queries
WASHINGTON (ABP) — GOP presidential candidate John McCain is raising questions about his religious affiliation with a comment he made Sept. 16 at a campaign stop in heavily Baptist South Carolina. The Arizona senator, according to the Associated Press, answered…
Hearing the Call: Congregations strive to create a culture of calling
(ABP) — Hearing God's call to vocational service may not be as easy in a Baptist church as it once was, but some congregations are determined to change that. Once upon a time, a public invitation at the close of…