Last year, the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies published William Tuck’s book, Modern Shapers of Baptist Thought. Shout-out to Bill Tuck and Fred Anderson for this fine compendium of 24 key Baptist influencers from John Broadus to Jimmy Carter,…
VITAL SIGNS: The shredding machine
It was a very impressive group of church leaders. Clergy and laity alike, they were successful and savvy men and women who had been patiently listening to me make repeated invitations to engage in a spiritual discernment process rather than…
Baptist second in Facebook song vote
By Bob Allen A North Carolina Baptist worship minster’s song is running a strong second in fan voting midway through a month-long contest leading to a top-prize billing alongside some of the biggest names on the contemporary Christian music scene….
Texas Baptists hold ‘family gathering’
Editor’s note: This story was edited after posting to clarify information in the second paragraph. By Ken Camp Business took a backseat to worship and fellowship at this year’s Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. More than 4,000 Texas…
Americans hold different views of what ‘religious’ means, new report suggests
(RNS) — There is a lopsided divide in America about what it means to be a religious person, with a majority believing that it’s about acting morally but a strong minority equating it with faith. Nearly six out of 10…
About 2,500 youth from more than 60 countries attending Baptist gathering in Singapore
SINGAPORE (ABP) — German Baptist youth leader Christian Rommert reminded youth from more than 60 countries gathered in Singapore that life in Christ is not about rules or systems but relationships. Rommert cautioned the 16th Baptist Youth World Conference against…
Letter seeks ‘circle of protection’ for poor
By Bob Allen Christian leaders across the country released a pastoral letter July 18 urging Congress to make hungry and poor people a priority in negotiations over a new federal budget. With Washington set to reconsider sequestration — across-the-board spending…
Baptist youth gather in Singapore
By Eron Henry German Baptist youth leader Christian Rommert reminded youth from more than 60 countries gathered in Singapore that life in Christ is not about rules or systems but relationships. Rommert cautioned the 16th Baptist Youth World Conference against…
Historian seeks return to communion wine
By Jeff Brumley Jason Coker says most members of his Connecticut Baptist church are social drinkers in a culture where alcohol consumption is expected. “I tell interns who come up here if you are in a social setting and you…
Carter supports Zimmerman verdict
By Bob Allen Former President Jimmy Carter says the jury in the George Zimmerman trial “made the right decision” based on the evidence and the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the neighborhood watch volunteer acted deliberately and…
Statement cites sexual abuse in church
By Bob Allen Seventy-two faith leaders signed a public statement July 17 decrying silence from evangelical leaders on the issue of sexual abuse in the church. Released by Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), an advocacy group…
Book challenges ‘gendered’ pulpit
By Bob Allen A “gendered” pulpit that defines what a preacher looks like as exclusively straight and male hinders women and members of the LGBT community from leadership in preaching and worship, theologian, author and Baptist pastor Angela Yarber says…