GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — Megachurch pastor Rob Bell, whose best-selling book raised evangelical eyebrows by questioning traditional beliefs on hell, knew it was time to address the “giant, glowing, loud” elephant in the room on Sunday morning, Sept. 25. What’s…
White House condemns death sentence for Iranian Christian
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The White House condemned Sept. 29 the conviction of a pastor sentenced to death for converting from Islam to Christianity in Iran. Youcef Nadarkhani, 34, pastor of the Church of Iran, was tried and convicted of apostasy…
Some British Christians outraged as BBC drops B.C./A.D. dating method
LONDON (RNS) — Some British Christians are incensed after the state-funded BBC decided to jettison the terms B.C. and A.D. in favor of B.C.E. and C.E. in historical date references. The broadcaster has directed that the traditional B.C. (Before Christ)…
Baptist leader in Haiti kidnapped
CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti — Emmanuel Pierre, general secretary of the Baptist Convention of Haiti, was kidnapped Sept. 29, the Baptist World Alliance has reported. The incident occurred in Cap-Haïtien, the second largest city in Haiti, and where the convention offices are located….
Washington exhibition traces history and influence of the Bible in China
WASHINGTON — Ask most American Christians where the largest Bible printing facility in the world is and they might imagine Nashville, Dallas or London to hold that honor. Few would guess the correct answer: China. Discussing the Bible exhibit are…
BGCT moves forward with funding cut, new agreement with Baylor
DALLAS (ABP) – The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted Sept. 27 to recommend a budget that reduces funding for Baylor University while giving more dollars to 10 other schools. The spending plan, to be recommended to messengers…
CBF young leader network sponsoring Kentucky retreat
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) – Current, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s young leaders’ network, is sponsoring three regional meetings as a way to reach out to a new crop of young seminarians and those in their first call as clergy. The first…
Leland Center relocates
ARLINGTON, Va. — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies moved at the end of August to new quarters in the busy Clarendon section of Arlington, Va., about three miles from central Washington, D.C. The Church at Clarendon's new 10-story…
After 20 years, BTSR celebrates its past, looks toward the future
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will celebrate the 20th anniversary of inaugural classes that first met in the fall of 1991 with a celebration dinner Oct. 17 at First Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. A highlight…
Chowan’s church relations director brings ‘wealth of experience’
MURFREESBORO, N.C. — With 15 years of experience in relations and outreach work through educational institutions and non-profits in America and overseas, Lou Ann Gilliam is a welcome addition to Chowan University as the new director of church and community…
OUT LOUD
“Sadly, the constituency for human rights and religious freedom issues is growing smaller and smaller in Washington and in this Congress. These issues have become second-class citizens in this Congress and in this town.” Rep. Frank Wolf The Republican congressman…
TRENDING: New Zealand clues — Elder-led governance
“I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you” (Titus 1:5, NRSV). It is standard Baptist…