The man spearheading President Bush's effort to increase government grants to religious social service agencies said the initiative will continue in Bush's second term, although he offered few specifics as to how that will happen. Speaking during a Washington conference…
Hunger kills more than 5 million children a year, says UN food agency
Hunger and malnutrition kill more than 5 million children a year and cost developing countries billions of dollars in lost productivity and national income, according to a United Nations report. “The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004,” issued…
State Baptist meetings offer mixed results for supporters of BWA
By Greg Warner If the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funder earlier this year, hoped to recoup some of that funding from state Baptist conventions, the organization got little encouragement during the recent round of convention…
Reaching the goal: Virginia Baptists surpass 2004 budget
Virginia Baptist leaders praised the generosity of the Baptist General Association of Virginia's churches last week as they announced it has surpassed its 2004 missions and ministry budget for only the second time in almost a quarter of a century….
Messenger study provides snapshot of BGAV meeting
If every church eligible to send a messenger to the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia had sent its maximum number to the meeting in Roanoke last month, attendance would have soared to 10,668. That bit of…
Canadian Supreme Court OKs gay-marriage legislation
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court of Canada has given legislators the green light to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. In an advisory opinion, known in Canada as a “reference,” the court's justices ruled Dec. 9 that the Canadian Constitution and…
Controversial Bush nominee retires rather than face fight anew
WASHINGTON (ABP) — One of President Bush's most controversial appeals-court nominees announced Dec. 9 he will retire rather than face another battle over his confirmation. Judge Charles Pickering announced in Mississippi that he will retire from the federal bench rather…
UCC officials file FCC complaints against network TV affiliates
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United Church of Christ has filed Federal Communications Commission complaints against two television stations in Florida over their parent networks' refusals to air a controversial church advertisement. Church officials, acting on behalf of UCC members in…
Former Southern Baptist leaders rally to support Baptist World Alliance
ATLANTA (ABP) — About 20 former Southern Baptist leaders met in Atlanta Dec. 4 to try to find ways to rebuild financial support for the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funding source in October. The leaders,…