The first Emerging Leaders Summit was held April 15-16 in Charlottesville at University Baptist Church. The event, sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's emerging leaders team, was held in collaboration with the traditional leadership training weekend for collegians. The…
Baptist colleges’ future stymied by ‘fear-mongering,’ says president
By Ken Camp The future of Baptist colleges and universities depends on educators' willingness to “move on” beyond the political categories that have dominated denominational life for more than 20 years, Baylor University president Robert Sloan told a national conference….
Right to dissent may be key mark of Baptist colleges, Leonard suggests
The right to dissent-even about what makes a school religious-should be a key distinctive of Baptist higher education, suggested church historian and seminary dean Bill Leonard. “Baptists began as a community of dissent,” Leonard said during his presentation on how…
What makes a college ‘Baptist’?
Virginia Baptists aren't the only ones struggling with the nature of Baptist colleges and universities. The question is bedeviling the Baptist landscape, as institutions and state conventions across the nation look for new ways to relate in the midst of…
N.C. church removes members for political views, deacon says
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — A Baptist deacon says he and eight other members of a North Carolina church were removed from membership because they disagreed with the pastor's political views. Frank Lowe said he had been a member of the…
Study shows Senate OK’d pro-life, religious judges
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A study of Senate records shows many of President Bush's judicial nominees who are religious and hold pro-life views have been approved by senators — including Democrats. Many religious conservatives recently accused Senate Democrats of blocking Bush's…
Virgnia Baptist leader named editor of Religious Herald
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — James White, a Virginia Baptist employee and former pastor in the state, will become editor of the Religious Herald on June 1. White, 54, who has been department head for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board empowering…
Younger marriages struggle with children, studies say
DALLAS (ABP) Having a child is called the most joyous event in one's life. But that joy may be fading. According to studies, the latest generation of parents is less able than past generations to cope with raising children while…
Churches that support marriages become healthier, advocate says
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Churches can help strengthen marriages if they are willing to become relationship-oriented rather than remaining event focused, according to a former president of the Association of Couples in Marriage Enrichment. Britton Wood, a member of…
Bush cites ‘dependence on Almighty’ in observing day of prayer
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush observed the National Day of Prayer May 5 by acknowledging American leaders' history of relying on prayer — and doing so to an audience that exemplified the United States' very modern religious diversity. Speaking to…
Provost Frank Bonner elected president of Gardner-Webb
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — Frank Bonner, provost of Gardner-Webb University, was elected president of the Baptist-affiliated school May 1. Bonner, 57, provost and senior vice president of the North Carolina school since 1992, was elected unanimously in a called…
Panel to study religious discrimination by evangelicals at Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A top Pentagon official has ordered the appointment of a special task force to investigate “lingering allegations” about religious discrimination at the Air Force Academy toward cadets who are not evangelical Christians. A May 3 press release…