NEW YORK (ABP)—Most people think they can spot a sexual predator. He's the pale loner with greasy hair and quivering lips or the grinning lech who hugs too long and slowly rubs the backs of female co-workers—or church members. Could…
Are atheists now becoming the new fundamentalists?
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Despite its minority status, atheism has enjoyed the spotlight recently, with several books that feature vehement arguments against religion topping bestseller lists. But now even some secular humanists are saying they should embrace more than the strident rhetoric poured…
NEW: Definition of Cooperative Program sparks SBC messenger debate
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A proposal to define what constitutes Cooperative Program giving sparked lengthy debate during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, including a charge that the measure “goes against historical Baptist polity.” The recommendation…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sex-abuse victims speak up to help others & find healing themselves
NEW YORK (ABP)—Debbie Vasquez was 14 when her pastor started touching her inappropriately. She was 15 when he raped her and 19 when she had his baby. Tina Boyd was molested at 11 and later raped by her church bus…
Study suggests Muslims in U.S. more mainstream than in Europe
WASHINGTON (ABP)—One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind suggests Muslims in the United States are far better assimilated into the nation's culture—and far less likely to espouse extremist beliefs—than their counterparts in Europe. However, the Pew Research Center…
NEW: North Carolina pastor named president of Leland Center
ARLINGTON – North Carolina pastor Mark Olson has been named president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, a Baptist-affiliated seminary in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Olson, who is pastor of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Stepping over the line: Should sexually straying clergy be restored to
DALLAS—Some Baptists consider sexual misconduct by clergy the unpardonable sin when it comes to hiring church staff, and many survivors of abuse agree. But others say it depends on which scarlet letter the minister wears—“W” for “wanderer” or a “P”…
FAITH DIGEST
Creation Museum opens The Answers in Genesis Ministry opened a $27 million Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., just across the state line from Cincinnati, Memorial Day weekend. The main hall of the 60,000-square-foot building features animatronic dinosaurs and figures of…
Definition of Cooperative Program sparks SBC messenger debate
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A proposal to define what constitutes Cooperative Program giving sparked lengthy debate during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, including a charge that the measure “goes against historical Baptist polity.” The recommendation…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Virginia Baptists’ Christian life committee to issue report on sex abus
RICHMOND — Virginia Baptist churches will have an additional resource to assist them in dealing with sex abuse in their congregations when a key committee releases a report this summer. The Baptist General Association of Virginia's Christian life committee will…
Virginia Baptist named to lead TLW expansion in Africa
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Virginia Baptist Sharon Pumpelly, who with her husband, Larry, spent 25 years as an International Mission Board missionary in Uganda and Kenya, has been named lead consultant for True Love Waits International's expansion in Africa, LifeWay president and CEO…
SBC appoints strategy coordinator for churches’ ‘ex-gay’ ministries
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention has commissioned a Texas pastor to become its “national strategist for gender issues” — a position designed to promote “ex-gay” ministries to SBC congregations. Bob Stith, who said God convicted him more…