NASHVILLE (ABP) — Members of the coalition that fought the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy over sexual abuse by priests are asking the Southern Baptist Convention to prevent similar clergy abuse in the denomination's churches. Members of the Survivors Network of…
Avoiding other vices may make Baptists fatter, researcher suggests
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (ABP) — Of all believers, Baptists are the most likely to be obese, according to a new study from Purdue University. But then, obese people tend to live in states heavily populated by religious people — particularly…
Ruth Ann Foster, founding prof at Truett Seminary, dies of cancer
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Ruth Ann Foster, one of the two founding faculty members of Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary, died Sept. 28 in Waco after battling cancer. Her age was not immediately known. Foster joined Truett Seminary…
Showdown over Missouri exec ends in draw, sources say
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — David Clippard remains executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, despite an apparent effort to oust him Sept. 22. Following a marathon, closed-door meeting at the convention building in Jefferson City, Executive Board members attempted…
What the Pope really said
Lost in the sound and fury of Islamic response to the Pope's perceived attack on Muhammad is his direct attack on the cherished assumptions of the secularized West. We in the West pride ourselves that our removal of faith from…
Dueling SBC groups angle to speak for conservative ‘young leaders’
WINTER PARK, Fla. (ABP) — A group of young Southern Baptist conservatives has issued a statement to counter the influence of a rival conservative group that has been critical of the use of power by recent Southern Baptist Convention leaders….
House passes measure to chill establishment-clause lawsuits
WASHINGTON (ABP) — After impassioned debate on the separation of church and state Sept. 26, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would make it harder to sue the government for violations of church-state separation. House members voted 244-173…
British Baptist minister leads environmental protest at airport
NOTTINGHAM, England (ABP) — Twenty-four environmental protesters, led by a British Baptist minister, were arrested Sept. 24 for breaching the security perimeter at the Nottingham East Midlands airport. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, the protesters cut through fences around…
Church fights turn high-tech: Web is new weapon of choice
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Bellevue Baptist Church is on the cutting edge of a growing trend — at least when it comes to conflict. Like members from several other prominent churches nationwide, congregants at the Memphis-area megachurch are using web…
American Baptists will move historical collections to Atlanta
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — The American Baptist Historical Society, which claims the largest collection of Baptist resources in the world, is moving to the heart of the Deep South — Atlanta. The collection will have a new home on…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for September 21, 2006
Staff changes Ben Laird, to Trinity Church, Martinsville, as pastor. Chris and Karen Harbin, to Central Church, Lowesville, as co-pastors. Ronnie Campbell, to Bethany Church, Baskersville, as pastor. Gregory Todd Randall, to Clarksville Church, Clarksville, as senior pastor. Richard L….
Making a difference: Churches mentor via Big Brothers Big Sisters program
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A Birmingham chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program is using a new, faith-based approach to matching adults with children in need of mentors. The initiative, called Faithful Friends, is unique to the agency…