WASHINGTON (ABP) – A North Carolina pastor shares his decade-old story of getting rid of women deacons and instituting elder rule at his Southern Baptist congregation in an on-line journal issue devoted to “revitalize” and “reform” of declining churches. Andrew…
Hardage nominated for BGCT executive director
DALLAS (ABP) — David Hardage — a veteran Texas Baptist pastor, associational leader and seminary development officer — will be nominated as the next executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Ron Lyles of Pasadena, Texas, chair of…
NAE releases paper on climate, poverty
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The National Association of Evangelicals released a document Dec. 14 about changes to the environment and how they affect the poor. The 56-page discussion paper, “Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment,” explores why evangelicals…
Mohler defends Virgin Birth
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) – A Southern Baptist seminary president says Christians who deny the Virgin Birth aren’t really Christians at all. In a blog commentary reposted annually since it first appeared in 2006, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler…
Church-state group says proposed hospital merger unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (ABP) – Americans United for Separation of Church and State said Dec. 14 that a proposed hospital merger in Louisville, Ky., is unconstitutional and urged Gov. Steve Beshear to block it. Leaders of the church-state watchdog organization say if…
Nativity scene dispute puts focus on Texas town
ATHENS, Texas (ABP) – An East Texas town is being dubbed Ground Zero in this year’s round of skirmishes known collectively as the Christmas Wars. Attention turned to Athens, Texas, about 50 miles southeast of Dallas, after the Wisconsin-based Freedom…
Carter Center, Hong Kong Baptist University launch joint venture
ATLANTA (ABP) – Former President Jimmy Carter was in Hong Kong Dec. 12 to formally launch a joint venture between the Carter Center and Hong Kong Baptist University. The Carter Center — Hong Kong Baptist University Initiative aims to draw…
School district settles suit with Tennessee ACLU
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – A Tennessee school district has settled a lawsuit over the proper role of religion in public schools. The Sumner County Board of Education voted Dec 6 to accept an agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union…
Pastor found guilty of child abuse
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) – A California jury deliberated nearly four days before finding an American Baptist pastor guilty on 11 of 12 child molestation charges Dec. 8. Tommy Gene Daniels, 49, faces sentencing Jan. 13 for crimes involving five girls…
Task force completes study of SBC name change
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – A task force appointed to study a possible name change for the Southern Baptist Convention has completed its work and will bring recommendations to the SBC Executive Committee Feb. 20. “We are excited to make these…
Churches balance reality, reverence when Christmas falls on Sunday
DALLAS (ABP) — “You mean we have to go to church Christmas Eve and Christmas morning?” Many worship leaders know their own children likely will ask that question this year. They also know quite a few families in their congregations…
Ecumenical dialogue clarifies Baptist beliefs, says prof
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Ecumenical dialogue between Baptists and other Christian traditions clarifies Baptist distinctives rather than dilutes them, says a Gardner-Webb University professor who participated in recent preliminary conversations between Baptists and Orthodox Christians. Steven Harmon “The purpose of…