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…
Radical Islam, radical atheism threaten America, Colson tells pastors
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The United States faces twin dangers of radical Islam and radical atheism, Chuck Colson, the former Watergate-conspirator who founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention. “No time in history have we looked…
Radical Islam, radical atheism threaten America, Colson tells pastors
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The United States faces twin dangers of radical Islam and radical atheism, Chuck Colson, the former Watergate-conspirator who founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention. “No time in history have we looked…
Missional gathering at SBC event contemplates global movement
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A global church planting movement could begin in five to 10 years, Pastor Bob Roberts told a small but passionate gathering of missional leaders who met prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Meeting late…
SBC messengers re-elect Page, choose Richards over Rogers
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Although the Southern Baptists re-elected as their president a pastor supported by denominational reformers, they defeated the reformers' candidate for first vice president. Messengers at the denomination's annual meeting re-elected South Carolina pastor Frank Page June…
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, close to death
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, went into a coma early June 13 and is close to death, a family spokesperson said. According to a statement released by Larry Ross, Graham's spokesman, Ruth Graham…
Bush greeted with standing ovation, thanks Southern Baptists at annual event
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Judging by his reception at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting, President Bush's popularity remains strong among Southern Baptists, whom he thanked for their support June 13. Bush was greeted with a standing ovation of sustained…
SBC messengers raise questions about IMB finances, trustees
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin presented an upbeat report June 12 to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, but he was unable to escape concerns from messengers at the San Antonio, Texas, meeting. A concern…