The SBC's International Mission Board will get a chance to resolve its own trustee dispute, despite a plea for outside arbitration. Trustee Wade Burleson asked SBC messengers to authorize the convention's Executive Committee to create a special committee to study…
Condi Rice tells messengers U.S.’s job is to spread freedom
In an address that was received like a campaign stump speech, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, exhorting her listeners to support the United States in spreading freedom around the globe. After a…
Rogers’ widow warns of narrowing parameters in SBC
(ABP) — Adrian Rogers' widow captured unexpected attention at the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference by asserting her husband would not approve of narrowing parameters of fellowship in the Southern Baptist Convention. Joyce Rogers, whose deceased husband was a former Southern…
Seminary presidents Mohler and Patterson debate Calvinism
Baptist seminary presidents Paige Patterson and Albert Mohler may have philosophical differences on the subject of divine election as interpreted by Calvinism, but those differences have small practical effect, an hour-long dialogue between the two revealed. Patterson and Mohler discussed…
SBC dedicates statue of Billy Graham at annual meeting
Billy Graham's impact on the Southern Baptist Convention will last for generations, and a bronze sculpture unveiled June 14 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention will likewise cement forever the famous evangelist and his gospel message for…
Leland Center fully accreditated
The John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Arlington has received full accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools. ATS, the premier agency for seminary accreditation in North America, granted the accreditation at its June 14 board meeting. “Full accreditation…
Foundation issues $50,000 challenge to Oak Hill Academy
The board of trustees of the Virginia Baptist Foundation has approved up to a $50,000 in a matching scholarship endowment grant to Oak Hill Academy. These scholarship endowment funds will remain under the perpetual management care of the Foundation. Announcing…
Harton is interim dean at BTSR
R. Michael Harton became interim dean of the faculty at Baptist Theological Seminary Richmond on June 1. Harton will serve in the interim position for one year. He replaces Richard Vinson, who stepped down May 31. Vinson will continue in…
Baptist history on alcohol: not totally teetotaling
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Question: Why do you always take two Baptists with you when you go fishing? Answer: Because if you only bring one, he'll drink all your beer. Most everybody who grew up in the South has a…
BWA delegation presses Vietnamese government on religious freedom
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — A Baptist World Alliance-led delegation recently returned from Vietnam, where they pressed government officials to ensure greater religious freedom in the rapidly Westernizing nation. Though conditions for religious groups — especially Protestant groups — have…
Former mission board worker fights for NAMB support for ailing wife
WACO, Texas (ABP) — In his day, Nathan Porter jokes, he was the sex symbol of the Southern Baptist Convention. These days, he said, he's the sex symbol of the AARP. No matter. The tall 73-year-old Brazilian with blueberry eyes…
CBF leaders elect Rob Nash to global missions post
ATLANTA (ABP) — With a standing ovation, leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship unanimously approved Rob Nash as the group's new global missions coordinator June 21. The CBF Coordinating Council approved Nash to head up the organization's missionary force in…