MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Sam Shaw, senior pastor at Germantown Baptist Church, has a problem on his hands. As in a growing number of Baptist churches, Germantown leaders — including Shaw — want to elect elders. And while many people…
Reinstated Africa missionaries accept IMB guidelines for church-planting
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Under a new agreement, officials at the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board have reinstated a missionary couple they threatened to fire for establishing a church that was not explicitly Baptist in the West African nation…
Even among elder-led churches, the buck stops in different places
(ABP) — What do some contemporary, Calvinist and cowboy churches have in common? They all have elders. But the similarity pretty much stops there. As with many other churches, the identity, role and authority of elders varies widely. In contemporary-style…
Federal panel again names U.S. allies as violators of religious freedom
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Several of the United States' allies remain among the world's most egregious violators of human rights, according to a non-partisan federal panel's report. In addition, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said, two nations whose oppressive…
SBC narrowness calls for repentance, reform, disgruntled conservatives say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — About 30 Southern Baptist conservatives from diverse backgrounds are repenting of the triumphalism, arrogance and isolationism they say threatens the integrity of the 16 million-member denomination. Saying they represent “disparate constituencies” in the Southern Baptist Convention,…
Peace talks falter as thousands rally against Darfur genocide
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Peace talks aimed at ending what the United States government and international human-rights groups have labeled “genocide” in Darfur faltered May 2, just days after thousands of protesters rallied in Washington for beefed-up measures to help the…
American Baptist regional group moves ahead with plan to separate
POMONA, Calif. (ABP) — After years of conflict centering mainly on the issue of homosexuality, a large regional body of the American Baptist Churches USA has voted to continue the process of separating itself from the denomination. In an April…
NAMB ‘moving on’ after resignation, but won’t disclose Reccord’s severance
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (ABP) — Trustees of the North American Mission took the first steps down the road to recovery May 1-2, two weeks after their embattled president resigned under pressure. “We walked away with a great deal of unity…
Conservatives concerned with SBC to meet in Memphis May 1-2
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Bubbling dissatisfaction over the Southern Baptist Convention's direction among some of its most loyal supporters may become action after a summit, scheduled to take place May 2-3 Memphis. Benjamin Cole, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in…
IMB official reverses decision to fire Africa missionaries
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — International Mission Board officials have reinstated Wyman and Michelle Dobbs, the missionary couple who had faced termination for establishing a “baptistic” church in the West African nation of Guinea. The couple's pastor reported the news May…
Maine high court upholds law barring religious vouchers
PORTLAND, Maine (ABP) — Maine's highest court has turned away an attempt to force a state voucher program to include religious schools. In a 6-1 ruling, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court said April 26 a state law that bans a…
BGCT hires accountant to study church fund mismanagement
DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has enlisted an independent accountant to investigate possible mishandling of church-starting funds in the lower Rio Grande Valley. “Allegations came to our attention, and we began an internal probe,” Charles Wade,…