COLUMBIA, Mo. (ABP) — A two-year-old alternative Baptist state convention in Missouri has named a former executive director of the rival Missouri Baptist Convention as its interim executive director. Jim Hill, who resigned as the old Missouri convention's executive director…
State legislators deal victories to gay-rights supporters, foes
WASHINGTON (ABP) — As the battle over same-sex marriage and other gay-rights issues rages across the country, both supporters and opponents of gay rights have logged several important victories in recent weeks. Since late April, gays and their allies have…
Alliance adopts statements on marriage, Cuba at meeting
DAYTON, Ohio (ABP) — In its recent annual meeting, the Alliance of Baptists adopted statements of concern about the politicization of gay marriage and the United States' relations with Cuba. The progressive group also elected a female chaplain from Baltimore…
Tennessee church learns from day of joint service
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — Almost 300 members of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., set aside their plans on a recent Saturday to give eight hours ministering to their community — following the model of other congregations across the region….
Virginia Baptists release portion of funds escrowed over homosexuality
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists will release to Averett University a portion of the funds they withheld last year in a dispute over biblical authority and homosexuality. But the remainder of the funds allocated in the current fiscal year…
SBC, interfaith group join to draw attention to uninsured
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Perhaps only a problem as daunting as the 40-plus million Americans lacking health insurance could bring together officials from groups as diverse as the Southern Baptist Convention, the National Council of Churches, and the Islamic Society of…
CBF missionaries increase reach of Afghan, Iranian churches in U.S.
ATLANTA (ABP) — A pair of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries are making sure that Afghans, Iranians and other Persian-speaking peoples have well-trained Christian leaders ready to return to their home countries and spread the gospel. As a way to help…
Supreme Court declines VMI dinner-prayers appeal
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to a lower court's ruling that outlawed mealtime prayers at a state-run military college. The justices turned aside the appeal from Virginia officials April 26. Last year, a…
N.C. moderates, conservatives discuss changing giving plans
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Officials of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention say there's no way to know the potential impact of changing the convention's giving options to a single plan that forwards most of its national missions allocation to…