ATLANTA (ABP) — Christians need to prepare for religious struggles ahead as the center of Christianity shifts to the south, says historian and author Philip Jenkins. In his book, “The Next Christendom,” Jenkins says by the year 2050 the heart…
Pelosi appoints Balkans expert to religious-freedom commission
WASHINGTON (ABP) — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has appointed a Boston academic who is an expert on international relations and religious issues to a federal panel that monitors religious freedom worldwide. Pelosi appointed Boston University professor Elizabeth Prodromou…
Evangelical professor’s study shows abortion rise under Bush
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new statistical analysis by an evangelical seminary professor suggests the abortion rate has risen under President Bush, an abortion opponent, after falling for years under his pro-choice predecessor, Bill Clinton. Glen Stassen, a trained statistician and…
Public policy should be measured by social justice, Forbes says
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Biblical justice demands either a change of heart or change of resident in the White House, renowned preacher James Forbes told a symposium at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. Reading from the Old Testament book of…
Thomas resigns Southwestern chaplaincy; church reviews spending practices
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Claude Thomas, who resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas, three weeks ago to become chaplain and special assistant to the president at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, abruptly declined the new position…
Gary Baldridge to leave CBF missions post he shares with wife, will pursue writing
ATLANTA (ABP) — Gary Baldridge, who with his wife has led the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's global missions effort for five years, will leave CBF at the end of the year to return to a career in writing. Daniel Vestal, CBF…
Fellowship reports record donations, led by large gifts to missions
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship finished its 2003-04 fiscal year June 30 with revenues of $24.26 million, the highest-ever annual total. The record total included undesignated contributions of $8,869,883, designated gifts of $8,709,160, and a global missions offering…
New Orleans Seminary trustees say yes to ‘sole membership’ with reservations (updated)
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — After months of sometimes pointed discussion, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees agreed Oct. 13 to adopt proposed charter amendments designed to tie it securely to the Southern Baptist Convention — but with some reservations. Spending…
New Orleans Seminary trustees vote to adopt ‘sole membership’ with reservations
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — After months of sometimes pointed discussion, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees agreed Oct. 13 to adopt proposed charter amendments designed to tie it securely to the Southern Baptist Convention — but with some reservations. Spending…
Supreme Court hears arguments on juvenile death penalty
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The U.S. Supreme Court considered Oct. 13 whether or not giving the death penalty to offenders who are 16 or 17 at the time of their crimes qualifies as the kind of “cruel and unusual punishment” banned…
Americans United asks IRS to investigate Miami church
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A church-state group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate another church for appearing to endorse a presidential candidate this election season. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked the IRS to investigate…
Southern Baptists in New York elect new executive director
EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. (ABP) — The executive board of the Baptist Convention of New York elected long-time pastor Terry Robertson as the fifth executive director of the 35-year-old convention. He will succeed J. B. Graham on Graham's retirement Nov. 5….