Editor’s note: This article was modified March 19 to include additional information following the third paragraph and the final paragraph. By Bob Allen A progressive evangelical leader who counseled President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal says it isn’t…
Blogger moving on from Louisiana College to ‘ex-Muslim’ controversy in Georgia
By Bob Allen A Baptist pastor who released documents that brought media scrutiny to alleged wrongdoing at Louisiana College says he is finished with that controversy and shifting focus to another Baptist college president accused in the past of lying…
Churches respond to call for disaster relief in Augusta, Ga.
By Jeff Brumley Andy Jones says he has just one answer for church groups still looking for that quick spring or early summer mission: come to Augusta, Ga. As the minister of missions at First Baptist Church there, Jones has…
For Lent, Baptist dons orange prison garb for poor and imprisoned
By Jeff Brumley Kent McKeever’s choice of Lenten sacrifice has already generated enough stares and media scrutiny to last him a lifetime. But that’s OK, he jokes, given the trade-off: a lot less laundry to do until Easter. “It’s very…
Liberia seminary installs interim president
By Bob Allen A Mercer University professor on loan for one year to the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary was inducted March 13 as sixth president of a long-respected school attempting to rebuild after decades of civil war and recent controversy…
Support for immigrants is essential part of gospel, say mission advocates
By Greg Warner No one objects when missions personnel feed the hungry or attend to the sick. But is advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees also part of the gospel? For Cooperative Baptists who minister among Hispanic immigrants, the…
Longtime pastor will use skills honed in congregations for wider engagement
By Jeff Brumley Texan Mark Newton says he had no intention or interest in leaving the pulpit, even with a quarter century of pastoring churches under his belt. But Newton did just that recently by stepping down as pastor at…
Former Soviet-era prisoner fined in Kazakhstan
By Bob Allen An 87-year-old former Soviet-era prisoner of conscience and Baptist pastor has been fined for conducting religious activities without state permission in Kazakhstan. Forum 18, an international news service that monitors religious freedom violations, says Yegor Prokopenko, pastor…
Conference links intelligent design to ‘essential’ doctrines of Christianity
By Bob Allen Critics of a view of creation termed “intelligent design” describe a conference this weekend, co-sponsored by Houston Baptist University, as an admission that the movement’s roots lie not in science, as proponents insist, but in religion. Faith…
Report: SACS to investigate Louisiana College
By Bob Allen The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools plans to investigate media reports that documents submitted leading to reaffirmation of Louisiana College’s accreditation in December may have been forged, The Town Talk newspaper in Alexandria, La., reported March…
Faith leaders oppose Miss. religion bill
By Bob Allen Baptist signers including ABPnew/Herald columnists Amy Butler and David Gushee were among more than 350 clergy leaders across the United States opposing a bill in Mississippi that critics say would legalize discrimination by commercial businesses throughout the…
‘Pilgrimage’ to the South’s civil rights sites to explore religion, culture
By Jeff Brumley A Mercer University-led tour of the American South will expose participants to some of the culture, history, politics, architecture, food, religion and key locations that informed and drove the nation’s civil rights movement. In other words, one of…