WASHINGTON (ABP) — A controversial study suggesting the abortion rate has increased since President Bush took office was off the mark, its author now admits. But he also says new figures vindicate some of his contentions. A recent study of…
Church leaves SBC, N.C. convention over anti-Quran sign controversy
FOREST CITY, N.C. (ABP) — The church that received national media attention in late May for a sign that said the Muslim holy book should be put in a toilet has withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention. The congregation of…
Texas Baptist board approves revamped representation plan
DALLAS (ABP) –The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board has approved revised bylaws that would reduce the board's size by more than half. Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting Nov. 7-8 in Austin will vote on the amended bylaws…
Moderate Missouri convention elects executive, approves strategic plan
ROACH, Mo. (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Missouri approved a strategic plan and elected Jim Hill as executive director during the moderate convention's annual meeting April 29-30. Hill, named interim executive director at last year's meeting, will become…
Church & People News for June 9, 2005
Staff Changes Kelly Dampeer Sr., to Cedar Bluff Church, Buchanan, as pastor. Sam Harvey Jr., to Riverdale Church, Roanoke, as interim pastor. Todd Kube, to Falmouth Church, Falmouth, as interim pastor. Richard Hanks, to Pocahontas Bassett Church, Bassett, as interim…
Lack of African-American support delays launch of ecumenical group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — An ambitious new ecumenical Christian group has postponed its formal organization due to a lack of enthusiasm from historically African-American denominations. Supporters decided to delay organizing Christian Churches Together during a June 1-3 meeting which was held…
Baylor interim sets decisive course with first-day appointments
WACO, Texas (ABP) – Baylor University's interim president steered the rudder of Baptists' flagship university during his first day at the helm. Bill Underwood announced three high-level administrative appointments, most pointedly replacing the university's top academic officer, David Lyle Jeffrey,…
Missouri appeals court ruling deals partial setback to agencies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A state appeals court ruling means the Missouri Baptist Convention will be able to continue pursuing its lawsuit against five agencies that removed themselves from MBC control. In a preliminary opinion issued May 31, the…
Calif. legislators narrowly defeat legalization of gay marriage
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) — California legislators narrowly defeated a bill June 2 that would have made that state the first in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage legislatively. The 37-36 vote in favor of the bill, although a narrow majority,…