DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas is providing a list registered sex offenders who were or are on staff at its affiliated churches. The Texas Baptist convention will post online at www.bgct.org/brokentrust the eight names of people in its file…
RIGHT OR WRONG: Censorship in the church library
A church member recently donated a book to our church library. But a question has been raised about the book's appropriateness for the library. If we don't shelve the book, we will be accused of censorship. How should we determine…
Ruth Bell Graham dies at 87
MONTREAT, N.C. (BP)–Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, died at 5:05 EST June 14, surrounded by her husband and five children at her Montreat, N.C., home. She was 87. “Ruth was my life partner, and we were called…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sexual predators often fly under the radar at church
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…
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…