(ABP) — The wrath of God has become a point of contention since news broke that a new Presbyterian hymnal passed on the popular title In Christ Alone for theological reasons. “Why do many Christians shrink from any thought of…
Reza Aslan defends controversial new book on Jesus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — For the third time, Jesus is about to change Reza Aslan’s life. As a teenager, Aslan turned to Jesus in an evangelical youth group, where becoming a Christian made him feel like a real American. He…
Aging pushes some churches to fiscal brink, others to find creative solutions
(ABP) — Survival is a question thousands of American churches confront each year. Estimates of annual church closures range from 3,500 to 7,000. That’s likely to increase as younger generations, including the rise of the “nones,” increasingly avoid organized religion….
Baptist groups hosting pistol classes to support ‘biblical principles’
(ABP) — A Southern Baptist camp in Illinois plans to host a National Rifle Association pistol course intended to help participants qualify for permits under the state’s newly passed concealed-carry law. The eight-hour course is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7,…
ERLC defends sectarian public prayer in legal brief filed with Supreme Court
(ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court Aug. 2 defending prayers offered in Jesus’ name at government meetings. The first legal brief filed since Russell Moore took…
Baptist ethicist signs sex abuse petition
(ABP) — Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., added his signature to “A Public Statement Concerning Sexual Abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ” posted July 17 by Godly Response to Abuse in the…
Practical joke backfires at Baptist camp in Maryland as five are sent to hospital
JERRETTSVILLE, Md. (ABP) — Five people were taken to a hospital and multiple medical units were dispatched to a Maryland Baptist campground in a hazardous materials incident that resulted from a prank. The July 23 incident at Camp Wo-Me-To near…
Baptist Joint Committee names recent graduate as education, outreach specialist
(ABP) — Recent McAfee School of Theology graduate Charles Watson Jr. has been named education and outreach specialist for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. A native of Millen, Ga., Watson previously worked as children’s director at Buckhead Baptist…
CBF leadership teams meet
By Bob Allen Implementation of a new chapter in the life of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship moves forward this week with leadership meetings at, and next door to, recently occupied new offices in Decatur, Ga. The meetings set for Sept….
Thunder rolls on for motorcycle riders as annual gathering plans mountain event
Can you hear it? It’s thunder rolling through the hills and valleys of central Virginia. Virginia Baptist motorcycle riders and their friends will gather Oct. 4-6 at Watermarks Camp in Scottsville, Va., for the 2013 edition of Thunder in the…
Festival aims to overcome theological differences, address social issues
HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — The third-annual Wild Goose Festival opened in early August in the mountains of North Carolina, with organizers and many participants hoping the outdoor gathering will heal divisions between conservative, progressive and moderate Christians. National leaders…
Church shares passion for orphan soles
By Jenny Pope Most churches greet the rush of the back-to-school season with special worship services and promotion Sundays, but one Houston church stays grounded with an annual project that has now helped protect the feet of more than 100,000…