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…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—ANALYSIS: What to do if a minister is accused of sexual misconduct
Most pastors and staff members are aware that ministry sometimes puts them in unique circumstances with all kinds of people. Most also are aware that a rumor of wrongdoing often is enough to end an otherwise fruitful ministry. For this…
Election of Romanian Baptist may signal unity
CLUJ, Romania (ABP)—In a move signaling a renewed interest in partnering with the European Baptist Federation, Romanian Baptists have elected Otniel Bunaciu as their president. The May 18 decision of the 34th congress of the Baptist Union of Romania was…
SBC messengers pass motion, resolution on clergy sex-abuse
SAN ANTONIO — On June 1, the Baptist General Convention of Texas posted online the names of eight convicted sex offenders who worked as ministers in convention-affiliated churches. The list is the latest development in a heated discussion within Southern…
Fifty years later, General Assembly honors Langford
RICHMOND — On Sunday, June 3, Henry Victor Langford, 88, received a resolution of praise and approval from the General Assembly at the Hermitage United Methodist Home in north Richmond, where he lives. After passionately endorsing the Supreme Court's 1954…