(ABP) — When a beloved pastor leaves a church, the replacement often faces an uphill battle in winning the trust and respect of the congregation. Sometimes, the newcomer faces a challenge simply in getting people to remember his name. Winfred…
North Carolina WMU decides to leave convention’s control
CARY, N.C. (ABP) — The Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina has voted to remove itself from the North Carolina Baptist Building — and the state convention executive director's attempt to assert authority over its staff. The dramatic move culminates…
Southern Baptist morality activist confesses to soliciting prostitute
SALISBURY, N.C. (ABP) — Moral activist and conservative Southern Baptist Convention leader Coy Privette received “deferred prosecution” on six charges of aiding and abetting prostitution during his hearing Aug. 22. Privette, a Rowan County, N.C., commissioner and former executive director…
Will Huckabee’s strong Iowa showing bring money, credibility to campaign?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Could a Baptist preacher become the Republican Party's vice-presidential nominee – or more? Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's surprisingly strong showing in the Aug. 11 Iowa Straw Poll has significantly raised the profile of the pastor-turned-politician. But…
Louisiana College to open law school named for SBC leader Paul Pressler
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College will establish a new “biblical” law school named after Paul Pressler, the Texas appeals-court judge better known for leading the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. The college hopes to open the…
Another prominent SBC church beset by controversy over pastor’s leadership
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…
Seventh Day Baptists to stay in Baptist Joint Committee
NEWBERG, Ore. (ABP) — A tiny Baptist denomination has voted, narrowly, to remain part of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty despite disagreements over church-state relations. Delegates to the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference voted 279-234 July 31 to…
Drake, SBC presidential candidate, calls for God’s wrath against AU
BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) — An early candidate for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention has called on Baptists to pray for misfortune to befall employees of a church-state watchdog group. Wiley Drake, a pastor, radio crusader and Baptist…
Falwell’s life insurance policy erases Liberty University debt
LYNCHBURG, VA. (ABP) — 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 the…
Guest opinion: Remembering all of the Baptist past
I must confess that I do not share the concern voiced across the spectrum of Baptist life that Baptists are afflicted by historical amnesia. My concerns lie elsewhere, and so I must explain. What is amnesia? It results in a…
Pentagon investigation faults generals for endorsing evangelical ministry
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A group of high-ranking Pentagon officials improperly endorsed and aided an evangelical Christian ministry, according to a Defense Department investigation recently made public. The Department of Defense inspector general's report was dated July 20 and released to…
Lutherans ask bishops to refrain from disciplining gay pastors
CHICAGO (ABP) — In what pro-gay activists hailed as a historic opening, members of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination voted Aug. 11 to loosen a policy that bans gay ministers from having sexual relationships. By a 538-431 margin, delegates to…