VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — Although the church is frequently viewed as behind the times, a new study shows Protestant congregations are quickly embracing new technologies. The Barna Group survey shows that, since 2000, many congregations across regional, denominational and sociological…
Federal court again rules pledge unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Once again, a federal court in California has found the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools unconstitutional because the oath affirms that the United States is “under God.” U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton, ruling…
Roberts tips his hand little in three days of questions
– Editor's note: This story updates one issued Sept. 13. WASHINGTON (ABP) — Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, in three long days of questioning before a Senate panel Sept. 13-15, danced delicately around some of the most controversial legal questions…
Massachusetts legislators reject gay-marriage ban overwhelmingly
BOSTON (ABP) — The Massachusetts legislature has overwhelmingly rejected an effort to repeal legalized gay marriage in that state. The Sept. 14 move bucks a national trend against gay marriage and means same-sex couples may continue to marry in that…
Fellowship hurricane relief focuses on niche needs, long-term efforts
ATLANTA (ABP) — As relief efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is using a focused approach to link specific needs with churches that want to help. “We're deliberate in coming alongside other responders to…
Offers of help abound, but most New Orleans seminarians to stay
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Seminaries all across the theological spectrum are offering help to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which temporarily has moved operations from its flooded campus to a satellite site in Atlanta. Theological schools as diverse as ultraconservative…
Additions:
In the Sept. 13 ABP story, “American Baptist region withdraws, may trigger split in denomination,” please replace the 6th paragraph with the following: In a statement Sept. 14, members of the National Executive Council of American Baptist Churches USA said…
Regents delay vote on president for Baylor, as interim withdraws
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Contrary to expectations, Baylor University regents emerged from their Sept. 9 meeting without a new president for the 160-year-old Baptist school, and Interim President Bill Underwood announced he had removed his name as a candidate for…
American Baptist region withdraws, may trigger split in denomination
COVINA, Calif. (ABP) — In what may be the beginnings of a national split over homosexuality, leaders in a regional group of the American Baptist Churches USA voted Sept. 8 to begin leaving the denomination. Directors of the American Baptist…
Roberts discusses abortion, faith in first round of questioning
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, in his first day of questioning before a Senate panel, danced delicately around questions about how he would rule on abortion but also said he wouldn't let his personal faith and or…
Louisiana paper changes vote, will accept convention control
ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) — Just 14 weeks after rejecting the idea, trustees of the Baptist Message of Louisiana voted 6-1 Aug. 30 to dissolve their board and move the newspaper under the control of the Executive Board of the Louisiana…
With hospitals closed, Baptist volunteer helps fill medical need in hurricane zone
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (ABP) — For residents of this coastal town devastated by Hurricane Katrina, seeing their hospital disabled by the storm only added to their desperation. So when Ed Tate and other disaster-relief workers set up a makeshift…