ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) — The scene is like a war room. Charts cover the walls. A frazzled worker holds a desk phone to one ear and a cell phone to the other. Individuals rush about distributing information and asking questions….
Tennessee leaders reject Belmont plan to add non-Baptists to trustee board
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (ABP) — Tennessee Baptist leaders Sept. 13 rejected a proposal from Belmont University to allow up to 40 percent of the Nashville school's trustees to be non-Baptists. Currently all trustees must be members of churches affiliated with the…
House adds sexual orientation to hate-crimes protections
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a surprise move while most of the political world's attention was focused elsewhere, the House of Representatives voted Sept. 14 to add sexual orientation to federal hate-crimes protections. On a 223-199 vote, the chamber added the…
New Orleans couple weds in shelter that became home after Katrina
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Inspired by the Christian faith of those who cared for them, a couple who fled New Orleans got married Sept. 10 in the shelter that has become their home since Hurricane Katrina. Barry McBride and Samantha…
Study says Protestant churches rapidly adopting technology
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…
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…