LIBERTY, Mo. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri has named Jeff Langford as its new associate coordinator. Langford, 35, previously was general manager of the International Publishing Management Association in Liberty. He received a bachelor of arts degree…
Hispanic attorney general draws praise from conservative groups
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Socially conservative groups have expressed support — and civil-liberties groups have expressed concern — over President Bush's selection of Alberto Gonzales to replace John Ashcroft as attorney general. Bush nominated Gonzales, who serves as the White House's…
Conservatives unhappy with Specter as chair of Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Religious conservatives are raising loud objections to the elevation of a pro-choice Republican to the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter is in line to become the committee's new chairman when the…
Falwell forms new political group to cash in on ‘values vote’
LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP) — Jerry Falwell will “resurrect” his Morality Majority with a new name in order to turn conservative momentum from the recent national elections into an “evangelical revolution.” The Southern Baptist pastor and political activist announced the formation…
BGCT supports biblical marriage, public schools in resolutions
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas passed resolutions Nov. 9 supporting traditional marriage and public schools, but messengers avoided controversy over gay marriage and a proposed “exodus” from public education. Many state Baptist conventions this fall…
BGCT avoids Baylor dispute, declines motion to escrow funds
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas sidestepped the controversy over leadership at Baylor University when convention president Ken Hall ruled a motion to escrow funds for Baylor was out of order. Hall, president of…
Florida Baptists denounce gay unions, tighten church theological standards
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Florida Baptists voted to back amendments to the state and federal constitutions to ban gay marriage and to work with other denominations for their passage. The motion passed apparently without opposition during the annual meeting of…
BGAV disputes property, elects first black officer
ROANOKE, Va. (ABP) — Messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia's 181st annual meeting elected the group's first African-American officer, agreed to apply for membership in the Baptist World Alliance, and engaged in unexpected debate over the sale of…
Razor-thin vote in Florida opens door for slot machines
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (ABP) — Though voters nationwide defeated most attempts to expand gambling Nov. 2, another razor-thin Florida vote count could bring slot machines to the state. By a margin of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent — or 3,606,045 to…
GOP gains may not guarantee Bush free hand in Congress
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Even though both houses of Congress became more Republican in the Nov. 2 elections, that doesn't necessarily mean President Bush will have an easier time appointing conservative judges or passing the most controversial parts of his social…
Voters block gambling expansion in several states, maybe Florida
(ABP) — Voters defeated most attempts to expand gambling in five states Nov. 2, which opponents say continues a trend to rein in gambling expansion nationwide. Only in Oklahoma, where voters approved a state-run lottery, could gambling proponents claim clear-cut…
Hispanic churches facing challenge of bilingual culture, leaders say
DALLAS (ABP) — Hispanic congregations face a familiar struggle — how to preserve church traditions without losing younger generations. The problem is becoming all too common among Hispanic congregations, particularly in Texas. They are filling their pews with older generations…