NEW YORK (ABP) — Several well-known Southern Baptist leaders have rescinded their previous endorsements of a controversial blog that provides news and opinion related to the Southern Baptist Convention.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…
12 more Korean hostages freed in Afghanistan
GHAZNI, Afghanistan (ABP) — The Taliban released 12 more South Korean Christians Aug. 29, after holding them hostage for six weeks. Red Cross officials picked up the 10 women and two men near Ghazni, about 80 miles from Kabul. The…
4 pastors collaborate on new blog set to join Southern Baptist ranks
NEW YORK (ABP) — Four conservative pastors are joining 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…
42 Baptist schools make magazine’s ‘best colleges’ rankings for 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Forty-two members of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities are listed among America's best colleges in annual rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report magazine. All told, 1,900 colleges and universities are ranked…
CBF of North Carolina embraces WMU, seeks emergency funds
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — After news that the Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina is loosening ties with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the state's Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has announced a special offering to help the mission-focused organization….
Ministerial students want to serve God, but not necessarily in local church
DALLAS (ABP) — College students who feel called to work in ministry want to make a difference for God's kingdom. But a significant number don't believe the local church is the place to do it, according to guidance directors for…
Pastoral residency programs give needed mentoring for new pastors
DALLAS (ABP) — When a Baptist minister graduates from seminary or divinity school, what factors predict whether that person will succeed or fail in local church ministry? Educational training plays a part, as does the personality of the congregation the…
Virginia Baptists’ Venturers program to total 14 this fall
RICHMOND—By this fall, Virginia Baptists' Venturer program will have 14 Venturers serving around the world in response to requests from Virginia Baptist mission partners for assistance with a variety of ministry needs. Venturers are individuals and couples at least 18…
Another prominent SBC church beset by strife
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The integrity of another prominent Southern Baptist pastor has been called into question by members of his megachurch — this one in the shadow of the Southern Baptist Convention's headquarters. Local and national news agencies have…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Falwell's insurance erases LU debt. Thanks to a substantial life insurance policy on the late Jerry Falwell, the university he founded is now debt-free, according to university officials. Jerry Falwell Jr., Liberty University's chancellor and son of its founder, announced…
Historic First Baptist of Dallas names Robert Jeffress as senior pastor
DALLAS (ABP) — First Baptist Church in Dallas has called one of its own products, Robert Jeffress, to become its new senior pastor. According to a statement on the church's website, more than 3,000 congregants affirmed the 51-year-old at an…
EDITORIAL: Love your enemies and pray for …
Wiley Drake, former second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and has requested prayer for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and particularly for two staff members. For those who may not be aware, Americans United…