Historical drama Pressure clears the air on speaking truth to power

POMONA, Calif. (ABP) — After years of conflict centering mainly on the issue of homosexuality, a large regional body of the American Baptist Churches USA has voted to continue the process of separating itself from the denomination. In an April…

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (ABP) — Trustees of the North American Mission took the first steps down the road to recovery May 1-2, two weeks after their embattled president resigned under pressure. “We walked away with a great deal of unity…

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Bubbling dissatisfaction over the Southern Baptist Convention's direction among some of its most loyal supporters may become action after a summit, scheduled to take place May 2-3 Memphis. Benjamin Cole, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in…

RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — International Mission Board officials have reinstated Wyman and Michelle Dobbs, the missionary couple who had faced termination for establishing a “baptistic” church in the West African nation of Guinea. The couple's pastor reported the news May…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Meeting in a city known for both racism and reconciliation, the Alliance of Baptists pledged to remake itself into “an anti-racist organization.” The action came as the Alliance began its 20th year with its annual convocation…

MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Following a formal separation initiated by the Georgia Baptist Convention last November and several pronouncements by university leaders calling for a clear Baptist identity, Mercer University trustees voted April 21 to amend the school's charter to…

ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Americans are besieged by lies about the relationship of church and state, Brent Walker insisted during the Maston Christian Ethics Lectures at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon School of Theology, April 10-11. “The lies I want to talk…

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — Historically, Baptists are reluctant to organize beyond local congregations out of fear that such structures will impinge freedom, said longtime Baptist leader Cecil Sherman during an April 21 event honoring his service. “To get a job…

AMARILLO, Texas (ABP) — Neal Hughes feels certain about two things: Churches need to be started in multihousing environments, and doing so begins with prayer. Hughes, a missionary for the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, should know. As pastor…

PORTLAND, Maine (ABP) — Maine's highest court has turned away an attempt to force a state voucher program to include religious schools. In a 6-1 ruling, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court said April 26 a state law that bans a…

DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has enlisted an independent accountant to investigate possible mishandling of church-starting funds in the lower Rio Grande Valley. “Allegations came to our attention, and we began an internal probe,” Charles Wade,…

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — The YMCA is moving back to its Christian roots with a pilot program they hope to replicate nationally, thanks to some creative thinking by church leaders at Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. After a chance…