“The church is part of the larger society. Its members live in a society that is plagued with all sorts of challenges, contradictions and a penchant for negating all the values in the Holy Bible.” With these words, Olusegun Obasanjo,…
The ideal candidate
I remember, as a child, hearing about the “Yella Dog Democrats” who would vote for a yellow dog as long as it was running as a Democrat. Many of those YDDs were Baptists living in the South. Occasionally, I still…
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…
N.J. court gives gays marriage rights, but not the right to call it ‘marriage’
TRENTON, N.J. (ABP) — The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Oct. 25 that the state's constitution requires that marriage rights be available to same-sex couples on an equal basis with heterosexuals. But the court left state legislators to decide whether…
Labels mask diverse opinions on faith issues, researchers say
WACO, Texas (ABP) — The stereotypical images of “liberals” and “evangelicals” create a distorted picture of what issues are important to each group and how each will vote in November, according to new research. A recent survey by researchers at…
Survey: Moms fed up with sexy dolls, wish for wholesome alternatives
DALLAS (ABP) — Moms across America are fed up with overly sexy dolls, according to a Sept. 25 report from Synovate, a market-research firm. The study, which surveyed 1,010 mothers with daughters 4 to 9 years old, found that 85…
Belief in Halloween spooks, paranormal, said to be spreading among Americans
DALLAS (ABP) — With Halloween fast approaching, adults across the nation are loading up on candy and decorations, planning to hunker down for a night of trick-or-treaters, parties and hi-jinx. But how many of them actually believe in the ghosts…
Buckner ‘Comes Home’ to Tennessee
UNEDITED NEWS RELEASE — KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Buckner Children and Family Services, a 127-year-old Dallas-based social services ministry, has announced it will return to its founder's roots through a new partnership with First Baptist Church, Knoxville. The church-based community ministry…
Ala. church ejected from association for hiring female associate pastor
MOBILE, Ala. (ABP) — An Alabama Baptist church has been ejected from its local association for hiring a female associate pastor — which may be a first of sorts. The Mobile Baptist Association voted Oct. 19 to withdraw fellowship from…