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…
Affluent pastors use wealth differently: some give back, others buy yachts
DALLAS (ABP) — There's a rare breed of creature often spotted in exotic locations leading a large pack. No, it's not a yellow-tailed wooly monkey. It's a wealthy pastor, and its very existence is controversial. Success in many professions is…
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…
Baylor gets $4M estate gift to benefit religion department
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University announced June 20 an approximately $4 million gift from the estate of Allene Hubler, which will establish an endowed chair, an endowed professorship and an endowed scholarship in Baylor's religion department. Hubler's gift will…
Collaborative blog wins endorsements from top Southern Baptist leaders
NEW YORK (ABP) — In a ringing show of support, several prominent Baptist leaders have publicly endorsed a groundbreaking blog operated by reform-minded pastors within the Southern Baptist Convention. The endorsers include the presidents of three SBC entities and a…
Gay-friendly Baptist groups excluded from New Baptist Covenant event
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The organization sponsoring an upcoming historic pan-Baptist gathering has told two gay-friendly Baptist groups they cannot participate in an official capacity. The North American Baptist Fellowship, under whose auspices next year's “Celebration of a New…
Church corruption, questionable gifts live on, long after Bakker scandal
DALLAS (ABP) — For some, Tammy Faye Messner's death July 20 stirred fond memories of a joyful Christian TV personality, and for others, painful memories of the sex-and-money scandal that destroyed her former husband's popular Christian television network. Her death…