BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Celebrating and supporting the “founding freedoms” guaranteed in the First Amendment is the emphasis of a new project launched by three Baptist organizations. The First Freedoms Project is an educational and fund-raising collaboration between Associated Baptist…
11 new CBF missionaries sent out during service at general assembly
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship commissioned two career missionary couples and seven other short-term missionaries during a celebration of missions at its general assembly June 25. Jade and Shelah Acker of Birmingham, Ala., will serve in West…
Head of group that fought Roy Moore addresses BJC supporters at luncheon
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — In facing down Roy Moore and winning, Richard Cohen admitted, he and other supporters of church-state separation won a legal battle but may have lost the public-relations war. “The real battle here wasn't in the court…
Group sues White House, agency officials over Bush’s ‘faith-based initiative’ plan
WASHINGTON (ABP) — 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 From Religion Foundation filed an eight-page…
‘Free Baptists’ need to speak up, Joel Gregory tells ABP audience
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Baptists must exercise their precious freedom in order to accomplish God's work in the world, Joel Gregory insisted at the annual Associated Baptist Press banquet June 24. “When you walk the way I've walked over the…
Baptist Women in Ministry to continue as networking group for female clergy
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (ABP) — Baptist Women in Ministry passed a motion affirming the continued need for its organization despite concerns brought up last year that the group is outdated. This year's theme, “Rooted in the Past, Grounded for the Future,”…
Congregational identity rests in community, professor says
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…