WASHINGTON (ABP) — Dealing a blow to the gay-rights movement, California's Supreme Court Aug. 12 ruled that San Francisco officials violated state law when they performed approximately 4,000 same-sex marriages earlier this year. The court also ruled that the marriages,…
Christian leaders condemn Bush’s church-based campaign tactics
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad group of mainline and evangelical Protestant leaders has issued a statement criticizing President Bush's re-election campaign for attempting to recruit voters through churches. Fifteen seminary professors and retired pastors — seven of them Baptists —…
Worldwide youth meeting unites young people from 70 countries
HONG KONG (ABP) — One year after it was postponed because of the SARS outbreak in Asia, the 14th Baptist Youth World Congress opened Aug. 5 in Hong Kong, with 3,500 people from more than 70 countries. The opening session…
40 years later, church recalls ordination of first female Southern Baptist pastor
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — When Addie Davis was ordained to the gospel ministry Aug. 9, 1964, she and the supportive congregation were unknowingly making history. Forty years later, Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., celebrated with Davis — now…
N.C. Baptist committee says keep multiple giving plans
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina likely will not change or abandon its four funding options for churches, even though some Baptists in the state have called for a simpler method of supporting Baptist ministries…
Former IMB journalist Creswell to join N.C. convention staff
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Mike Creswell, a 24-year veteran of the International Mission Board, is expected to join the staff of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in mid-September to promote giving to the convention's mission budget. Creswell will…
Kerry, Bush campaigns focus on stem-cell research
WASHINGTON (ABP) — On the third anniversary of a controversial decision by President Bush limiting embryonic stem-cell research, both parties' presidential campaigns focused on the morally contentious topic. In Aug. 9 campaign appearances, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards and…
Christian values gaining credibility in era of business reform, consultants say
CHASKA, Minn. (ABP) — As a parade of former Enron executives defend themselves before a federal grand jury during August, a new era is emerging in American business, according to business leaders and consultants. The Enron scandal represents a pendulum…
Baptist ends 28-year career training Army chaplains
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (ABF) — Chaplain Hal Roller recently retired as commandant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School after a 28-year career that included numerous military honors, such as the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. But teaching other…