ATLANTA (ABP) – Flooding in Europe, which started in March and worsened as the Danube River and its tributaries swelled, has created a state of emergency in eight Serbian municipalities, with estimated damage totaling $45 million, according to Reuters. In…
SBC candidate Frank Page warns of rising discontent among conservatives
TAYLORS, S.C. (ABP) — Warning “there is a serious disconnect between the leaders of our Southern Baptist Convention and the rank-and-file,” South Carolina pastor Frank Page announced he will be a candidate for SBC president next month. Page's announcement May…
Pinson tells Truett grads to protect ‘precious gift’ of religious liberty
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Young ministers bear the responsibility for protecting the precious gift of religious liberty from some in the rising generation who would trade freedom for conformity, Bill Pinson told graduates of Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. “Resist…
Madonna again raises Catholic ire, this time with ‘disco crucifixion’
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — Despite being raised Catholic, pop recording artist Madonna has managed once again to offend some Catholic groups by staging a “crucifixion” on a 20-foot, “disco-fied” cross. In the May 21 opening show of her “Confessions” tour…
Rival clergy groups square off over gay-marriage proposal
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Rival clergy groups are facing off over a proposal to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage nationwide. A group of about 30 moderate and liberal Christian and Jewish clergy appeared in a Capitol Hill press conference…
South Carolina pastor Frank Page reportedly agrees to SBC nomination
TAYLORS, S.C. (ABP) — Frank Page, a South Carolina pastor with a record of strong financial support of the denomination's budget, reportedly will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention president next month. Page's decision ensures that messengers to the June…
Burleson sounding more like candidate, but decision will come at 11th hour
ENID, Okla. (ABP) — As the quest for someone to challenge presidential candidate Ronnie Floyd goes unanswered, one interested observer is sounding ever-more-likely to fill the void. Oklahoma pastor Wade Burleson suggested May 17 he would allow his nomination as…
Unrest among SBC conservatives may swell convention attendance
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — After a decade of steady decline, attendance at the Southern Baptist Convention is expected to jump this year, amid ripples of unrest with the current leadership and perhaps the first openly contested presidential election since 1994….
After heated session, Senate panel approves same-sex marriage ban
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a federal ban on same-sex marriage May 18 after heated debate. But critics say the vote has more to do with partisan politics than legal reform. The move sets up a full…