ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ABP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Air Force that claimed the branch's top training academy violated the Constitution by promoting evangelical Christian beliefs among cadets. On Oct. 27, U.S. District Judge James Parker…
Probe finds Texas church-starters got up to $1.3 million for bogus churches
DALLAS (ABP) — A five-month investigation uncovered evidence church-starting funds from the Baptist General Convention of Texas were misused between 1999 and 2005 in the Rio Grande Valley. Independent investigators discovered about 98 percent of the 258 church starts reported…
Election day features major issues beyond control of Congress
WASHINGTON (ABP) — While Americans are focused on whether Democrats will regain control of one or both chambers of Congress during the Nov. 7 elections, several other issues important to religious voters will appear on state ballots. In eight states,…
Reaction tempered from theological schools left out of CBF’s top tier of ‘partners’
DALLAS (ABP) – After Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leaders voted Oct. 13 to award “identity partner” status to just four of the nine theological schools that applied for the designation, CBF board members and officials worried about the strained relationships and…
Missouri Baptist committee wants to boot 18 churches with ties to moderates
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — If a Missouri Baptist Convention committee has its way, messengers to the convention's annual meeting Oct. 31 will effectively eject 18 congregations — including the very church in which the convention got its start. If…
Reform-minded Wiley Drake won’t accept traditional obscurity of SBC’s 2nd VP
BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention expects very little from its vice presidents — nothing, in fact — unless the SBC president becomes incapacitated. Traditionally, those elected each year to the mostly honorary VP positions are seen…
ANOTHER VIEW: Forgive or die
Few recent tragedies have affected me as deeply as the horrific murders at the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pa. It seems that each day brings more mayhem in our blood-soaked country. But this one–this image of 10 little girls…
Cut into the darkness
The sun was setting in the west and the shadows were lengthening when this columnist headed out one Saturday on his way to a Sunday speaking engagement in the country. The destination was Straightstone Baptist Church in the northeast corner…
New Orleans churches stagger back to life
Seventy-five people gathered in bright sunshine on a recent Sunday outside Reaping the Harvest Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans. They applauded as pastor Troy Lawrence, resplendent in a three-piece gray pinstriped suit, cut a red ribbon and, for…
Dress casual
Last year in this space, I offered several good reasons why Virginia Baptists might enjoy attending the annual meeting dressed in casual attire, and it appeared as if many messengers made the transition to casual in Woodbridge last November. May…
Franklin Baptist proves unsinkable
Suffering its second flood in seven years, Franklin Baptist Church was closed for a week as waters from the swollen Blackwater River crept into town. “During the Sunday we were out [of the building] we had a community service,” offered…
Support Bluefield
We Baileys and Rackleys are proud to have had four generations attending Bluefield College. Dad, David L. Bailey Sr., began the journey in the 1920s; both of my brothers, David and Bob attended; I graduated in 1954. I currently have…