WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush signed into law Nov. 5 the first federal restriction on abortion in 30 years, but barely an hour later a federal judge partially blocked its enforcement. Bush signed a bill banning a kind of abortion…
Arkansas Baptists back diversity, Federal Marriage Amendment
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (ABP) — In a harmonious Arkansas Baptist State Convention meeting Nov. 4-5 in Fayetteville, about 900 messengers approved a 2004 Cooperative Program budget of $19.5 million, heard a report on racial harmony and diversity, endorsed a resolution in…
New Mexico Baptists support family, answer call to minister in Bangkok
ROSWELL, N.M. (ABP) — Signaling a theme that likely will surface in many of this fall's Baptist conventions, Baptists in New Mexico adopted resolutions Oct. 29 favoring government support of the traditional family, endorsing public affirmations of God, and denouncing…
Georgia settlement addresses ‘faith-based’ employment rights
ATLANTA (ABP) — A closely watched case regarding government funding for “faith-based” social-service organizations has ended in a settlement that critics of the practice are counting as a victory. The State of Georgia and the United Methodist Children's Home in…
Patterson airs professor’s charges of lax theological scrutiny at IMB
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP) — The International Mission Board should rid itself of “unbiblical” practices and alliances with Christian mission groups that do not enforce strict theological parameters, a Southern Baptist missions professor urges. Keith Eitel, professor of Christian missions…
Virginia Baptists may cut Averett funds in dispute over homosexuality, Scripture
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists will be asked to withhold about $350,000 they planned to contribute to Averett University next year until a dispute over homosexuality and biblical interpretation can be resolved. The Baptist General Association of Virginia's budget…
Four professors leave Southwestern to start alternative Carroll Institute
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Four prominent professors abruptly resigned from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in early November, only to be named faculty members of the new B.H. Carroll Theological Institute started by former Southwestern leaders. The faculty members who…
Third World Anglican bishops denounce installation of gay man
DURHAM, N.H. (ABP) — Shortly after an openly gay man was installed as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, his brethren in the Third World reacted with anger — some of them cutting off their relations with…
Proposed Afghanistan constitution may not protect religious freedom
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Some observers are worried that a new constitution for Afghanistan may do little more to protect religious freedom than did the oppressive Taliban government. After months of negotiations among members of a constitutional commission, a draft of…
Kentucky Baptists unveil proposed staff reorganization
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — The Kentucky Baptist Convention plans to reorganize its staff, taking the first major step toward implementing a new mission plan. The proposed reorganization will eliminate two filled positions, reassign two employees and take advantage of five…
Festival celebrates 10 years of connecting faith, film
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — In a place known for its glitz and greed, the City of the Angels Film Festival is all about inspiration and redemption. An annual event that brings filmmakers, theologians and film fans together to explore what…
Study finds grandparents play prominent role in care-giving
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (ABP) — Nearly 6 million grandparents live in the same household with their grandchildren in the United States, and 40 percent of those grandparents are the primary care-givers for their grandchildren. One third of grandparent care-givers live in…