WASHINGTON (RNS) — A new study of more than 35,000 adult Americans by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life captures the depth and breadth of religious America — 78.4 percent Christian, 4.7 percent members of other faiths and…
FAITH DIGEST
Amazing Grace takes top honors. Amazing Grace, the big-budget film that traced the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, won Most Inspiring Movie of 2007 and Best Movie for Mature Audiences at the 16th annual Movieguide Faith and Values Awards in…
Follow the money
Most observers of congregational life agree — a person can tell a lot about a church by looking at its budget. But exactly what conclusions can be drawn about a church's priorities remain an open question.tory “It's a question I've…
Obama speech spurs IRS investigation
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A speech that Barack Obama made last year to his fellow Congregationalists has spurred an Internal Revenue Service investigation that threatens the tax-exempt status of an entire denomination. Leaders of the Illinois senator's United Church of Christ…
Follow the money
Most observers of congregational life agree — a person can tell a lot about a church by looking at its budget. But exactly what conclusions can be drawn about a church's priorities remain an open question. “It's a question I've…
Obama says he’ll use ‘bully pulpit’ to encourage same-sex marriage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama sought the support of voters in the homosexual community Feb. 28, telling them in a letter that if elected president he would work to pass laws important to that constituency and…
Cash receipts and disbursements present challenges for churches
DALLAS — Handling cash presents some of the greatest challenges — and potential problems — for churches in terms of finances, said Roger Hall, retired chief financial officer and treasurer for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. “The biggest risk…
Wilberforce documentary to air on PBS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — One year after the movie Amazing Grace reintroduced America to William Wilberforce, a new documentary about the famous Christian abolitionist seeks to shed more light on the British man whose fight against slavery inspired Abraham Lincoln…
Grassley targets ministries’ alleged abuse of tax laws
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sen. Chuck Grass-ley insists that he's not trying to impose his Baptist theology on Pentecostal and Charismatic ministries; he simply wants them to obey the tax laws. The Iowa Republican has drawn fire for using his position…
VBS influence too great to ignore, says LifeWay resource specialist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Vacation Bible School is huge. How huge? Almost 1 in 16 children ages 5-12 in America was enrolled in a Southern Baptist VBS, according to figures from 2006. Add the number of non-SBC Vacation Bible Schools…
21-C conference challenges participants to embrace vision and innovation
WOODBRIDGE — Virginia Baptists' annual 21-C conference, held Feb. 15-16 at First Baptist Church, Woodbridge, challenged participants to embrace a new vision for reaching the lost in Virginia. “21-C has become synonymous with Kingdom vision, Kingdom innovation, and Kingdom courage,”…
Abstinence pact means AIDS relief bill back on track
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A bill that would more than triple the amount of money the United States spends combating the AIDS pandemic got a boost Feb. 27 with a compromise over abstinence-focused prevention efforts and abortion. House leaders and White…