WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP) — Trustees at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously elected Daniel Akin the school's sixth president Jan. 15. Akin, 47, comes from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he was vice president for academic administration…
Bush uses ‘recess appointment’ to put controversial judge on bench
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush used a special presidential prerogative Jan. 16 to get one of his most controversial judicial nominees installed, temporarily, on a federal appeals panel. Just days before Congress returned from its holiday recess to resume its…
New conservative Episcopal group wants to ‘renew Anglicanism’ in U.S.
PLANO, Texas (ABP) — Leaders of an independent network of conservative Episcopal churches met Jan. 19 to firm up plans that one leader said will “renew Anglicanism in this part of the world.” Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, a leading…
Minnesota man wants church donation back
CLOQUET, Minn. (ABP) — A 55-year-old Minnesota man is suing a local church because it won't give back a $126,000 donation he made five years ago. Marcel Mager of Cloquet, Minn., said he made the anonymous donation, nearly all his…
Yancey offers comfort for ‘spiritual explorers’
DALLAS (ABP) — In 1520, as Ferdinand Magellan's ships rounded the tip of South America, lookouts sighted people on the shore carrying burning torches. But the natives seemed oblivious to Magellan's galleons that had suddenly appeared close to their shore….
Baptist pastor martyred in Tajikistan, BWA says
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist pastor has been murdered in the Republic of Tajikistan, according to Baptist World Alliance officials. He is the 10th Baptist to be murdered in that country over a 10-year period. Serghei Basarab, a pastor in…
Southern Baptist position on BWA unchanged by worldwide outcry
NASHVILLE (ABP) — Despite pleas from Baptists around the world, there appears little chance Southern Baptist leaders will reverse or delay their plan to withdraw the Southern Baptist Convention from the Baptist World Alliance, the 99-year-old international fellowship it helped…
BWA leaders urge SBC officials to ‘keep Baptist harmony alive’
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — International Baptist leaders from such diverse settings as Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria and South Africa are voicing disappointment over a study committee proposal calling for the Southern Baptist Convention to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance….
Bush announces further expansion of government grants to church groups
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Speaking from a pulpit once used by Martin Luther King Jr., President Bush announced Jan. 15 a further expansion of the government's ability to fund social services through churches and other religious groups. The announcement is…
N.C. moderates to discuss selective support of convention
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — A meeting of moderate North Carolina Baptists this month will include a discussion of ways to fund selected Baptist causes without supporting the entire budget of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. . A statement…
Conservative Episcopalians’ plans for alternative jurisdiction revealed
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Washington Post reporter has uncovered a confidential document laying out plans by disgruntled American Episcopalians ultimately to supplant their national denomination in the eyes of global Anglican leaders. Conservative leaders within the Episcopal Church USA, who…
New model for homeless ministry provides long-term hope, real change, leaders say
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — New approaches to helping the homeless population are designed not only to get people warmed and fed but also to help them find jobs and permanent housing. Traditional ministries — which provide meals, clothes and temporary…