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…
Alliance vows to go on offensive as ‘anti-racist organization’
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Meeting in a city known for both racism and reconciliation, the Alliance of Baptists pledged to remake itself into “an anti-racist organization.” The action came as the Alliance began its 20th year with its annual convocation…
At least half of Mercer trustees, all future presidents to be Baptist
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Following a formal separation initiated by the Georgia Baptist Convention last November and several pronouncements by university leaders calling for a clear Baptist identity, Mercer University trustees voted April 21 to amend the school's charter to…
BJC director: Americans believe lies about church-state separation
ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Americans are besieged by lies about the relationship of church and state, Brent Walker insisted during the Maston Christian Ethics Lectures at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology, April 10-11. “The lies I want to talk…
Baptist dilemma is balancing freedom, structure says honoree Cecil Sherman
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — Historically, Baptists are reluctant to organize beyond local congregations out of fear that such structures will impinge freedom, said longtime Baptist leader Cecil Sherman during an April 21 event honoring his service. “To get a job…
‘Jericho’ walks help church planters begin indigenous church planting
AMARILLO, Texas (ABP) — Neal Hughes feels certain about two things: Churches need to be started in multihousing environments, and doing so begins with prayer. Hughes, a missionary for the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, should know. As pastor…
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,…