WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Episcopal Church USA, on the verge of a split with its worldwide religious body over homosexuality, is being “pushed toward a decision by impatient forces within and outside this church,” according to the group's head. But…
Negrut, ‘hero’ to SBC conservatives, accused of plagiarism in Romania
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Paul Negrut, the president of the Romanian Baptist Union and a “hero” to Southern Baptist conservatives, is accused of plagiarizing a book by an American author — ironically, for use in a Romanian seminary class…
Leader of alternative Va. convention nominated as NAMB president
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (ABP) — After a 10-month search to replace disgraced former head Bob Reccord, the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board has recommended Virginian Geoffrey Hammond as its next president. Hammond, 49, is currently senior associate director of…
BTSR hosts 9th preaching and worship conference
UNEDITED NEWS RELEASLE — RICHMOND,Va. – “Let Justice Roll” is the theme of the Ninth annual Chester Brown, Hampton Baptist Church Preaching and Worship Conference, May 21-23, at Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Plenary and worship sessions will explore Christ's…
Ark. tornado prompts response by churches, convention
DUMAS, Ark. (ABP) — Within a few hours after an F-3 tornado tore a path of destruction through a southeast Arkansas town Feb. 24, Arkansas Baptists disaster-relief volunteers and area church members were on hand aiding victims and assessing the…
Baptist workers help provide training to church leaders in China
ATLANTA (ABP) — What's the greatest spiritual need in China today? According to Bill and Michelle Cayard, Houston-natives who have worked in China since 2003, the country desperately needs more churches and trained leadership. Case in point: Sichuan, a Western…
Archaeologists, evangelical leaders criticize Titanic director’s latest film
DALLAS (ABP) — Archaeologists, biblical scholars and Christian leaders are casting doubt on explosive claims about the life of Jesus in a new documentary from Hollywood director-producer James Cameron. The film, called The Lost Tomb of Jesus, presents evidence producers…
Combative high court hears arguments over ability to file religion lawsuits
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Feb. 28 in a case that, on the surface, is about technical issues — but could end up having significant ramifications for the way courts handle church-state cases. At stake, advocates…
American religious delegation travels to Iran to seek peace
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABP) — A Christian delegation led by Quakers and Mennonites met with political and religious leaders in Iran to improve relations between the United States and the volatile nation. Representatives from the American Friends Service Committee and the…
Mainstream Baptist leaders credit ‘freedom’ for keeping them Baptist
IRVING, Texas (ABP) — A refrain of freedom echoed through a Mainstream Baptist Network convocation in suburban Dallas Feb. 23-24. About 80 participants from across the South gathered for the sixth-annual event. During the session, seven speakers addressed the theme…
Texas lawsuit, drug company decision slow push for mandatory HPV vaccine
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Advocates for mandating a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer for teenage girls have received two new setbacks, with a lawsuit against the first state to make the regimen mandatory and an announcement that the pharmaceutical…
Opinion: The freedom of fasting
It's already Lent and so far we've had a relatively snow-free winter here in Hanover County, Va. While the schools provided the kids with a couple of delayed openings and at least one “just in case” closing, there hasn't really…