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…
Kerry appearances in churches prompt criticism from left, right
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's increasingly prominent habit of using politically sympathetic churches as a platform for campaign speeches is drawing criticism — though for differing reasons — from groups on both the ideological right and the…
Corrections:
In the ABP story “Truett Seminary prof dies after battle with cancer” released July 20, the date of Chip Conyer's death should read July 18 instead of July 20. Also in the ABP story “Watchdog group files complaint against Arkansas…
300 candles brightly shining
On July 27, 1707, representatives of five churches formed the Philadelphia Baptist Association. It was the first Baptist association in the United States. Earlier, there were “yearly meetings” and occasional gatherings among the scattered churches; but in 1707 the urge…
OUT LOUD
“I can’t think of a religious group he didn’t offend. He even did a cartoon that upset the Episcopalians, and you know how hard it is to upset Episcopalians. John Shelton Reed The longtime friend of Baptist cartoonist Doug Marlette,…
Seven states pass constitutional amendments defining marriage
A majority of states in America now have adopted constitutional marriage amendments. Seven states—including Virginia—passed amendments Nov. 7 defining marriage, bringing to 27 the number of states nationwide that have adopted amendments aimed at prohibiting gay marriage. An eighth state,…
Blackaby resigns as seminary president
(BP) — Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary President Richard Blackaby announced his resignation from the seminary presidency in early June to become president of Blackaby Ministries International. In a meeting with his staff and faculty, Blackaby said though he always felt…
CBF funds flood relief in Asia, receives grant for Middle East
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship recently gave two grants totaling $10,000 to key areas of flooding in Asia. Meanwhile, the Fellowship received a $66,000 grant from the W.C. English Foundation to fund a medical consultant in the Middle…
Pastors examine change in variety of settings
Three Virginia pastors from rural, small town and urban settings joined well-known pastor/speaker Leith Anderson to share experiences at the Virginia Baptist Pastors Conference last month. Anderson and the Virginia pastors discussed the dynamics of change in each of their…
Wayne Coley, longtime Virginia Baptist leader, dies following illness
RICHMOND—Wayne Coley, a longtime Virginia Baptist leader in children’s ministries, died Jan. 14 in Richmond following a long illness. He was 67. For a total of 23 years, Coley was on the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, where…
Survey: People in house churches more satisfied than conventional counterparts
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — House churches — small groups of 20 or so that regularly meet together for worship in a non-conventional setting — are out-performing more traditional congregations when it comes to satisfying attendees, according to a new survey….