BIRMINGHAM, Ala (ABP) — “Lord, help us to become more of what you have already made us to be.” Several hundred church leaders from around the United States gathered June 24 to explore what this prayer means for congregations in…
Patterson stands by statements that BWA leader labeled ‘slander’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Southern Baptist Convention leader reacted June 22 to charges that he slandered the Baptist World Alliance in a speech by affirming his complaints against the worldwide Baptist body — and issuing more. Paige Patterson, president of…
CBF embraces Baptist World Alliance; Lotz urges Baptists to ‘break down walls’
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — One week after Southern Baptist Convention messengers voted to cut ties to the Baptist World Alliance, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship participants welcomed BWA with open arms. During CBF's opening plenary session at its June 24-26 general assembly…
CBF joins new ecumenical organization, adopts budget
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship voted to help start a national ecumenical organization, approved a $16 million budget, and elected new leaders June 25 during its annual general assembly in Birmingham, Ala. During the business portion of…
Jews, moderate Baptists meet to foster relationships, learn
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Members of both Jewish and Baptist communities joined together Friday at a luncheon during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly to share stories and encourage an interfaith relationship. And the effort, according to Jewish and Baptist…
Vestal defines essential principles that bind CBFers together
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — “Fellowship” is a defining principle for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal declared at the organization's general assembly June 25. Although CBF participants are separated by geography and involved in autonomous churches, they're organized…
Getting around ‘clash of civilizations’ aids missionaries sent to Middle East
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (ABP) — “Is Christianity dying in the land of its birth?” This was the question posed by Jim Jennings at his seminar, “The Vanishing Church in the Middle East,” at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's annual meeting June 25….
Alabama governor names appointee to replace deposed chief justice
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R) named a replacement for deposed state Chief Justice Roy Moore June 22. Riley appointed his state finance director, Drayton Nabers, as the new head of the state's Supreme Court. In November,…
News briefs from Associated Baptist Press
Group sues Bush officials over 'faith-based' plan WASHINGTON — A Wisconsin group that opposes government endorsement of religion has launched the broadest legal attack to date on President Bush's plan to fund social services through religious charities. The Madison-based Freedom…
CBF general assembly attendees focus on ‘Being the Presence’
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Being near the right son, Virginia theologian John Kinney told participants of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly, can open doors for you. Speaking June 24 during the opening session of the moderate Baptist group's annual…
CBF Coordinating Council asked to support BWA, anti-poverty group
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Daniel Vestal, coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said the Baptist World Alliance “is going to find a new vision and new life” in the next few months and years, even though it recently lost its…
Lotz says BWA ‘slandered’ by Southern Baptist leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The head of the Baptist World Alliance says the organization was “slandered” by a Southern Baptist Convention leader during a June 15 debate about the SBC's relationship with the BWA. “Baptists of the world, and…