(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…
Missouri Baptist conference center wins latest round in legal battle
JEFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Windermere Baptist Conference Center will not face a trial this year in its continuing legal battle with the Missouri Baptist Convention, thanks to a judge's ruling. The decision is a victory for the center, encouraging…
U.S. Attorney’s Office refutes rumors about Texas church-start scandal
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ABP) — Contrary to an Internet blogger's assertions, all documents pertaining to a probe into misappropriated Texas Baptist church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley have been turned over to federal authorities, a high-ranking official in the U.S….
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…
Southern Baptist state convention offers anti-sex-abuse measures
GRAPEVINE, Texas (ABP) — Two groups affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention are attempting to respond to the problem of child sexual abuse in churches by recommending a company that does background checks. However, clergy sex-abuse activists say the solution…
Baptist Joint Committee director joins Baptists, others in panel on faith
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, is joining other prominent religious leaders as a panelist for a Washington Post/Newsweek online forum on faith issues. Walker's thoughts will appear alongside those of…
Calif. pastor/seminary president to join SBC presidential field
SAN FRANCISCO (ABP) — Bill Wagner, California college president and pastor who also was a long-time employee of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, has said he will run for the SBC presidency next year. Wagner, who wrote How…
Opinion: Another reason to grieve on 9/11
(ABP) — This column appears on the sixth anniversary of the unthinkable 9/11 attacks on the United States. The attacks themselves were the most heinous terrorist acts ever visited on this country. We will be grieving our losses for a…
California legislators again pass bill legalizing gay marriage; veto likely
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) — In a repeat performance, California legislators sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) a bill legalizing same-sex marriage Sept. 10. And, in another repeat performance, the governor is expected to veto the measure. The California Senate approved the…
IRS probe clears Focus on the Family despite Dobson’s 2004 endorsements
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Colorado-based Focus on the Family ministry will retain its tax-exempt status despite the fact that the group's founder endorsed President Bush and other Republican candidates in the 2004 elections. James Dobson, who founded the ministry in…
Providing clean water in Macedonia is life-giving work, ecologist says
ATLANTA (ABP) — When Darrell Smith explains the development work he does in Macedonia, he often tells the story from Luke's gospel of Jesus cleansing the lepers. “Jesus healed them simply because they asked,” said Smith, who is affiliated with…
Aging minister recalls price paid for recognizing God’s image in all people
HILLICOTHE, Mo.—When Norman Shands made a vow to God 65 years ago, he couldn't have imagined that it would thrust him into the center of the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta. The vow—that he would view and treat every person…