BALTIMORE (ABP) — With a state judge's Jan. 20 ruling that Maryland's law banning same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, Maryland becomes the latest front in the nationwide battle over gay marriage. Baltimore City Circuit Judge Brooke Murdock said a…
Mercer president-elect decries ‘spiritual masters’ who limit freedom
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Baptists need no “spiritual masters” — either from the right or the left — to tell them what to believe in their churches or universities, said Bill Underwood, incoming president of Mercer University. Any attempt to…
Segregation undermines churches’ ability to reach society with gospel
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Christians undermine their ability to reach society with the gospel because they segregate their churches by race, sociologist/author George Yancey told participants in a workshop aimed at racial reconciliation. Yancey, assistant professor of sociology at the…
Multiracial congregations exhibit seven characteristics, says Yancey
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Seven principles characterize successful multiracial congregations, according to studies conducted by sociologist and author George Yancey. Yancey, who has written a book titled One Body, One Spirit: Seven Principles of Successful Multiracial Churches, described those principles…
CBF of North Carolina hires Jones to missions post
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — The North Carolina state affiliate of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired an associate pastor from Wilmington to serve as its missions coordinator. The group's coordinating council called Linda Marie Jones to the post, introducing her…
California lawsuit opens new front in battle over intelligent design
Opponents of intelligent design theory have opened a new front in the battle over the theory, filing suit against a California school district that teaches intelligent design as philosophy rather than science. On Jan. 1, the district's board of trustees…
Draper, retiring LifeWay president, honored for 15 years of ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Affirming his commitment, compassion and vision, friends and colleagues gathered Jan. 13 to honor James T. Draper Jr., who will retire Feb. 1 as president of LifeWay Christian Resources. Draper, elected president of the former Baptist…
IMB seeks to remove blogging trustee
By Robert Dilday and Greg Warner Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board will seek to remove a member of their board, apparently for posting information about the board's deliberations on his weblog. Oklahoma pastor Wade Burleson has…
A new century for the Baptist World Alliance
Open Letter By Denton Lotz General Secretary, BWA Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Jan. 1, 2006, was the beginning of a new century for the Baptist World Alliance. The challenges confronting Baptists and the Church are very different from…
Conference to define leaders’ ‘Jesus-style’
By Karen McGuire Ministry Resources, Lead Like Jesus Lead Like Jesus, a small nonprofit organization in Augusta, Ga., has the dream of inspiring and equipping people around the world to lead like Jesus. One way that noble goal expresses itself…
Safeguards vowed after Va. shooting
Officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have vowed to work to keep their missionaries safe after one missionary was murdered in Chesapeake and another was injured. The statement from the Salt Lake City-based church was issued…
DDM conference set in Richmond
A conference focusing on the largest unreached people group in America is set for March 9-11 at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond. “A Future and a Hope” is aimed at anyone interested in persons with developmental disabilities, including…