Baptist News Global

IMB trustees tried power of press to silence dissent, Burleson says

By Greg Warner Associated Baptist Press A new staff policy, which gives trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board power to censor news stories about their work, reportedly was used Jan. 11 to try to persuade a trustee…

N.C. agency to elect its own trustees

The Baptist Retirement Homes of North Carolina has adopted bylaw amendments that allow the corporation's trustees to elect their own successors. Previously the bylaws called for trustees to be elected by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, which also…

N.C. panel taps consensus candidate

Leaders of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina have nominated a candidate with support from both moderates and conservatives to the fractious statewide body's executive post. The convention's board of directors voted, without opposition, Jan. 24 to recommend Milton…

10th Alabama Baptist church burns as authorities speculate

BEAVERTON, Ala. (ABP) — A day after another rural Baptist church in Alabama burned Feb. 11, authorities were speculating that the rash of 10 arsons in 10 days is the work of a pair who may be “bosom buddies.” This…

Focus on the Family supports Colo. bill to offer some rights to gay couples

WASHINGTON (ABP) — As the political battle over same-sex marriage heats up again in Washington, an unusual debate over gay rights is raising some eyebrows in Colorado. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) announced Feb. 10 he would schedule a…

Mark Noll leaving Wheaton for post at Notre Dame

WHEATON, Ill. (ABP) — One of evangelical Christianity's premier scholars will leave one of its premier institutions of higher learning for a position at a premier Catholic university, according to news reports. The website of the magazine Christianity Today reported…

Wenzao Han, prominent Chinese Christian leader, dies at 83

NANJING, China (ABP) — One of China's most prominent modern-day Christian leaders has died at the age of 83. Wenzao Han died Feb. 3 in Nanjing. He served from 1996 to 2002 as president of the China Christian Council, and…

Phil Strickland, head of Texas Baptist moral-concerns agency, dies at 64

DALLAS (ABP) — Phil Strickland, who served nearly a quarter century as director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission, died Feb. 11 at age 64. According to his colleagues, Strickland believed his mission was to provide…

Jewish-Baptist dinner in Atlanta feeds understanding between faiths

ATLANTA (ABP) — Devita Parnell had quite a time trying to plan a Baptist-Jewish dinner so it wouldn't land on any holy day of either faith. Between Hanukkah, Christmas, Lent, Purim, Passover and Easter, she had her hands full. But…

Groups of evangelical leaders face off over global warming

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Feb. 8 news conference in Washington signaled the start of what could become a showdown over global warming between two groups of evangelical Christian leaders. At stake are the hearts and minds of evangelical Americans and…

Charismatic-leaning Southern Baptists being betrayed, excluded, says pastor

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (ABP) — When Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson launched a revolution within the Southern Baptist Convention, they found an eager soldier in Ron Phillips. Phillips, 58, has been pastor of Central Baptist Church of Hixson, near Chattanooga, Tenn.,…

Revised Air Force religion guidelines continue ban on sectarian prayers

WASHINGTON (ABP) — Pentagon officials have revised a set of guidelines on religious freedom in the Air Force after complaints from members of Congress and some religious groups. But the revisions met with mixed reviews from groups with interests in…

‘Be careful of Scripture heavy in law but light on grace,’ Wesley warns

‘Show up and do something,’ ACLU leader urges

From the South Side to the South Lawn and back again

Democracy as a moral practice, not just a system