The House of Representatives has passed another bill giving religious charities the right to discriminate in hiring, even when they receive federal funds. On a largely party-line vote of 224 to 200, the chamber passed the Job Training Improvement Act…
Don’t export the conflict, European leader urges Baptists
A prominent European Baptist leader cautioned U.S. Baptists not to export their disputes or manipulate Baptists worldwide into their way of thinking. “We should be very careful how we are pulling the ropes in our mission work, in our evangelism…
Moderate Baptists looking for ‘something to get excited about’
By Greg Warner Southern Baptists account for roughly half of all U.S. Baptists-about 16 million people-and thus get most of the attention. The other half also represents a significant presence in America, but they lack a unifying identity, according to…
Uproar predicted if justices remove public Ten Commandments displays
If the U.S. Supreme Court prohibits public displays of the Ten Commandments nationwide, all heck may break loose. Religious conservatives predict the resulting furor would be greater than the reaction when a California court ruled “under God” did not belong…
BGCT publisher to produce BWA Bible studies
DALLAS (ABP) — BaptistWay Press, the publishing arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will produce the Bible study materials for this summer's Baptist World Alliance Centenary Congress in Birmingham, England. The Texas publisher replaces LifeWay Christian Resources, the…
Are the Ten Commandments really integral to American legal history?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of government displays of the Ten Commandments, and one local official thinks he knows why such displays are legal. “American law is all about God,” said Allan Watson, mayor of…
House passes bill allowing discrimination as Bush reaffirms faith-based plan
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives has passed another bill giving religious charities the right to discriminate in hiring, even when they receive federal funds. On a largely party-line vote of 224 to 200, the chamber passed the Job…
Prodigal father gets second chance through New Orleans Baptist ministry
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — When Jim Blakely faced medical difficulties in recent years and had to be admitted to the hospital, a friend would ask if there was a family member who needed to be contacted. “I have no one,”…
CBF, Buckner sign partnership to expand global ministry among children
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A major initiative designed to transform the lives of children and families domestically and abroad is being launched in 2005 through a partnership among African Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Texas-based Buckner Baptist Benevolences….
Wary Supreme Court hears arguments in two 10 Commandments cases
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The justices of the Supreme Court waded cautiously March 2 into one of the nation's most controversial issues: Whether, and how, governmental displays of the Ten Commandments can ever be constitutional. Hearing oral arguments in two cases,…
Activists weigh in as Decalogue debate spills over to Supreme Court plaza
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Two different views of religion's role in government clashed inside and outside the Supreme Court March 2, as the justices heard arguments about Ten Commandments displays on public property. Charles Hoffman, an activist from Kentucky, held aloft…
Retreat participants cast vision for CBF collegiate ministry
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — August brought a lot of the same for college minister Tim Willis. Same campus. Same students. Same mission. But there was one major difference – a new job and a new ministry venture. After 18 years…