AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — A book released in advance of the June 23-24 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention claims the nation's largest Protestant faith group has more than 100,000 clergy, but no effective system of denominational oversight to…
Baptism: Neither a means of obtaining grace nor a trivial ritual
By looking back to their beliefs and practices from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century, Baptists can reclaim a view of baptism between the poles of sacramentalism and “mere symbolism,” church historian and theologian Sheila Klopfer said. Historically,…
OUT LOUD
“A faithful pastor cannot preach the gospel to unbelievers, let alone exhort and, dare I say, rebuke, backslidden and unregenerate church members, while satisfying a politically correct standard of niceness. This is the sort of niceness we could do with…
Baptists urged to consider risks of ‘majoritarian faith’
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — Baptists in the United States — who find themselves members of a religious majority or plurality in many areas — would do well to remember their humble beginnings as a persecuted minority and to reconsider the…
SECOND OPINION: Opening up without watering down
Baptist churches of the Old South had a lovely image for describing entrance into church membership. They would announce that a door of the church was open. Anyone who came forward was asked to give a verbal confession of “their…
What does it mean to be Baptist?
Some of the same theological disputes that divided Baptists throughout their first 400 years continue to distinguish different branches of the Baptist family tree in the early years of the 21st century, theologian James Leo Garrett said. And other challenges…
HERITAGE: Transitions
On the last Sunday of May, Bill Tuck was extended warm farewells as he concluded a 20-month interim pastorate at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, N.C. The congregation formed a long line to give handshakes and hugs to Bill…
Seeking truth in India’s ‘City of Gold’
MUMBAI, India (BP) — Television writer Sankalp Tak steers his late-model compact through the streets of Mumbai, India’s largest city, dodging waves of cars and motorized rickshaws to park behind a nondescript warehouse. Inside — barely controlled chaos, like Mumbai…
Coalition of faith-based groups push for health-care reform as moral issue
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Ads airing on Christian and mainstream radio stations in several states are attempting to frame health care as a moral issue. Sponsored by a broad coalition of faith-based groups, the ads urge members of Congress…
The Yoked Team updated May 27, 2009
In gauging successful parenting, few consider faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — The vast majority of parents hope their children grow up to live good lives but, for many, parental success does not include faith in God — even among parents who are evangelical Christians, according to a…
SBC names Virginians to committees, boards
NASHVILLE, Tenn — Appointments — including a number of Virginians — to Southern Baptist Convention committees and nominees to serve on its boards of trustees have been announced by Baptist Press, the SBC’s news service. Two Virginians serve on the…