WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite pleas from a wide coalition of religious, free-trade and anti-hunger groups, the House passed a massive agriculture bill July 27 with only a handful of reforms. The chamber approved the 2007 Farm Bill on a mostly…
Christian themes in Potter books make good evangelism tools, some say
DALLAS (ABP) — J.K. Rowling isn't likely to repeat John Lennon's mistake. She probably won't compare the record-setting popularity of her Harry Potter books to that of Jesus Christ, but the global reach of the title character's adventures is undeniable….
2nd Korean Christian hostage killed; Taliban set new exchange deadline
KABUL (ABP) — A second Christian hostage from South Korea has been killed by Taliban fighters, the Associated Press reported July 31. Twenty-one of the 23 South Koreans abducted July 19 remain hostages after police found the body of Shim…
Breakaway agencies could amend charters, Mo. convention concedes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention's Executive Board has abandoned its contention that trustees of five institutions acted illegally when they changed their charters to elect their own board members. Convention lawyers agreed at a July 18…
SECOND OPINION: What would Marlo do?
Marlo Rodriguez is a 24-year-old illegal immigrant in Virginia—euphemistically called “undocumented” by the press and other politically correct operatives. He came to Northern Virginia 16 years ago, when he was only 8. His parents, together with two younger siblings—who at…
BAPTIST BRIEFS
Vandals burn Israeli flag at Baptist church. A Baptist church that since last summer had flown the Israeli flag to show support for Israel fell victim to criminal activity July 17 when the star in the center of the flag…
FAITHSHAPERS: Eyes on the prize
In Philippians 3:14, Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize ….” He is talking about his life as a Christian, but this passage came to mind as I thought about how to approach parenting from…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they say. A…
Women ministers’ progress: More theoretical than practical
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Moder-ate and progressive Baptists continue to grow in their theoretical support for women as pastors, but their churches remain far behind in practice. That's one conclusion from the second annual “State of Women in Baptist Life” report, released by…
Hate crimes bill delayed in Senate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate stalemate over the Iraq war claimed another victim July 18: a hate-crimes statute that supporters had hoped to attach to a defense bill. But although the attempt to add gender, sexual orientation and disability to…
‘Let the little children come — to worship
An increasing number of churches offer separate worship services for children, but that may not be what is best for either the children or the church, many children's ministry professionals agree. The faith formation of children is greatly enhanced by…
Court affirms religious obligation in case pitting sacred vs. secular
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS)—The Texas Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a suit brought by a former member of a Fort Worth church who accused her pastor of violating her confidentiality. The case centered on questions of what roles civil courts should have…