DALLAS (ABP) — Amid intense national debate about immigration reform, the National Council of Churches recently announced immigrants have had a positive impact on U.S. churches: The council's annual yearbook reports a record number of church bodies for 2006. One…
Coffin, outspoken activist, pastor of NYC’s Riverside Church, dies
NEW YORK (ABP) — William Sloane Coffin Jr., former CIA agent, peace activist, Yale University chaplain, accomplished pianist and esteemed pastor of Manhattan's Riverside Church, died April 12. Coffin died from congestive heart failure at his home in Vermont. He…
IMB may dismiss Africa missionaries for starting non-Baptist congregation
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Another controversy is brewing at the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, which reportedly is set to dismiss two of its missionaries in West Africa for cooperating with non-Baptist colleagues to plant a church that isn't…
Church & People News for March 30, 2006
Staff Changes Randy Moore, to Clinchco Missionary Chapel, Clinchco, as interim pastor. Mike Jones, to Enon Church, Roanoke, as interim pastor. Nick Pegram, resigning as minister of education and administration at Manassas Church, Manassas, after 17 years of service. Krista…
Despite SBC urging, VP nominees don’t toe the line on donations
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — In a year when Southern Baptist Convention leaders are calling for the election of SBC officers “whose churches give at least 10 percent of their undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program” — the SBC's ministry budget…
Church & People News for April 6, 2006
Staff Change Betty Watson, retiring as music director at Stockton Memorial Church, Richmond, after 23 years of service. Death Retired Virginia Baptist pastor Charles Herbert Morris died March 27 in Richmond at the age of 83. He and his wife,…
Baptist General Convention of Missouri enters partnership with WorldconneX
ROACH, Mo. (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Missouri has entered into a three-year partnership with WorldconneX, a missions network launched by Texas Baptists in 2004. The purpose of the partnership, which took effect March 31, is to encourage…
Church & People News for April 13, 2006
Staff Change Kathy S. Shereda, to High Hills Church, Jarratt, as pastor, effective May 1. Mack C. Scott Jr., to Temple Church, Norfolk, as pastor, effective April 23. Todd Childers, to Norwood Church, Forest, as pastor. John Rayburn, to Glade…
Reccord mulls resignation from NAMB while some trustees warn of firing
ATLANTA (ABP) –As embattled Southern Baptist leader Bob Reccord met with prominent pastors April 13 seeking advice about his future, several of his own trustees at the North American Mission Board urged him to resign as the agency's president. Reccord…
Tennessee Baptists to challenge Belmont
The Tennessee Baptist Convention will hold a rare special convention May 9 to deal with a growing rift with Baptist-affiliated Belmont University. Belmont wants to elect its own trustees, who have been appointed by the convention for more than 50…
Texan nominated as CBF moderator
Texas leadership consultant Harriet Harral will be nominated as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's moderator-elect, the highest elected position in the national group. The CBF moderator presides at the group's annual General Assembly and leads the Coordinating Council, or executive committee….
Churches launch largest unity group
Leaders of 34 U.S. church bodies have officially launched the broadest-ever Christian unity organization in American history and said fighting poverty will be its first priority. Christian Churches Together in the USA was formally inaugurated on March 31 after a…