WASHINGTON (ABP) — In upholding a federal ban April 18 on a rare kind of late-term abortion procedure, the Supreme Court may have begun undermining its key abortion precedent. Activists on both sides of the abortion issue greeted the court's…
In days following shootings, Hokies search for bright spots amid tragedy
BLACKSBURG, Va. (ABP) — Two days after Cho Seung-Hui shot and killed at least 32 students and professors on the campus of Virginia Tech, students are searching for something good to come of the massacre. “There are people out there…
Churches in parenthesis: Intentional interims serve specific purposes
PLAINVIEW, Texas (ABP) — According to Michael Summers, a director of church services at Wayland Baptist University in Texas, every church needs to step back periodically and reevaluate its purpose. It's a time for members to determine who they are,…
Churches in parenthesis: Churches benefit from intentional interims
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Churches that go through an intentional interim pastor process show lasting benefits, according to recent research. The North Carolina-based Center for Congregational Health examined churches 24 to 36 months after they completed an intentional interim, paying…
Devastated Va. Tech students gather for prayer at Baptist campus center
BLACKSBURG, Va. (ABP) — As the sun began to set and the wind continued to howl over a wounded campus and city April 16, Virginia Tech students gathered for prayer, comfort and counseling at the school's Baptist student center. Blacksburg,…
Opinion: Practice resurrection throughout entire Easter season
Happy Easter! My greeting might seem misplaced, especially in light of the recent horrifying Virginia Tech shooting. On a much smaller scale, many of us are weighed down with other worries and anxieties. But isn't Easter already over? Like many…
Baptist workers in China minister through jobs as English teachers
ATLANTA (ABP) — Don and Karen Barnes teach English in China, but they call themselves “tentmakers.” The term harkens to the Apostle Paul's vocation that allowed him to minister to new Christians as he worked. As professors at Guangxi University,…
Corporate setting offers chaplains unique opportunities for ministry
ATLANTA (ABP) — Baptist agencies like the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship endorse hundreds of chaplains, most of which serve with the armed services or in healthcare facilities, but Alan Tyson is part of a select few: he works in corporate America….
In 20th annual convocation, Alliance honors Holt, approves new staff plan
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Alliance of Baptists honored its history and took steps to reshape its future during its 20th annual convocation, held April 13-15 in the nation's capital. Meeting at Washington's Calvary Baptist Church, more than 500 Alliance members…
’20/20′ investigates sexual abuse in SBC, other Protestant bodies
NEW YORK (ABP) — ABC's “20/20” examined the problems with clergy sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention April 13, warning that some convicted “preacher predators” remain on an SBC's list of ministers available for employment. Featuring interviews with Southern…
Va. Baptist groups rush to counsel students after Va. Tech massacre
BLACKSBURG, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists were well positioned to respond to the unprecedented massacre at Virginia Tech April 16. Ministers from Blacksburg Baptist Church and officials from the Baptist General Association of Virginia's campus ministry at Virginia Tech and…
Report on Clippard’s firing leaves questions about discrimination suit
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Missouri Baptists may never know the specific reasons why their executive director was fired April 10, other than a few vague details released by a special committee April 16. Members of an ad hoc investigative…