SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (ABP) — When young, charismatic Christian publisher Jason Christy was tapped two years ago to lead the powerful Christian Coalition, the group's leaders praised him for his ability “to inspire and encourage people of faith to action.” But…
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…
House passes agriculture bill without reform amendment
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…
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…
Effective children’s ministry more than numbers
An effective children's ministry is more than an appendage to a congregation's programming: It's an integral part of a church's mission and vision, children's ministry leaders say. Although it's tempting to evaluate the success of children's ministry only by the…
Urban population crunch prompts crowds in church
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Predictions that increased urbanization around the world would lead to a more secularized society are un-founded, and in fact the opposite may be true, according to a new report from the United Nations Population Fund. “Rapid urbanization was expected…
Baptist churches on ‘influential’ list
NEW YORK (ABP) — Two of the top 10 most influential churches in America are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, according to a recent magazine report. The SBC-affiliated Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and Fellowship Church in Grapevine,…
Ministry to children changes moms’ & dads’ lives, too
Children's pastors across the country continue to reach families by first reaching children. Parents—Christian and non-Christian alike—want what's best for their respective families, children's ministry leaders report. Parents want their children to be brought up correctly and loved in a…
Want your kids to keep faith? Take a chance on college degree
Southern Baptist promoted to Army chief of chaplains
FORT MYER (BP) — Doug Carver was sworn in as the 23rd U.S. Army Chief of Chaplians and promoted to major general during ceremonies at Fort Myer, Va., on July 12. He is the first Southern Baptist to hold the…
Virginians answer God’s call to children’s ministry
RICHMOND — This spring when Anna Kissne entered the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's certification in children's ministry program, she was taking another step in answering God's call to minister to children. Anna's faith journey began in her native Romania at…