I recently had the privilege of enjoying the hospitality of the Englewood Christian Church of Indianapolis. This congregation isn't as well known as Saddleback, nor has its pastor (Michael Bowling) ever been interviewed by Larry King, but its story is…
Opinion: Torture is the bone caught in America’s throat
It is clear to me that the problem of torture is like a bone caught in our national throat. We can't swallow it, but we can't quite spit it out. And so we are choking on it. The sound of…
Huckabee endorsement brings IRS investigation of Wiley Drake
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Outspoken California pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention officer Wiley Drake is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. The candidate for the SBC presidency this year is under scrutiny for using his church letterhead and church-sponsored…
Religious voters in ‘Potomac Primary’ boost Obama, protest McCain
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In the latest presidential primary contests, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama improved his position among Catholics on the Democratic side while most white evangelicals chose not to vote for Arizona Sen. John McCain, even though he is now…
CBF council approves budget, reports revenue shortfalls at February meeting
ATLANTA (ABP) -– Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship approved a $16.5 million budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year and heard of budget shortfalls during the CBF Coordinating Council's Feb. 7-8 meeting in Decatur, Ga. The council's finance committee reported…
Polls, authors say white evangelicals embracing political independence
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A raft of recent polls and books suggest that the evangelical vote may be turning — or returning — to a more even distribution between the Republican and Democratic parties. A Zogby International poll released Feb. 11…
Texas’ Church Under the Tree reaches disenfranchised youth
ROCKWALL, Texas (ABP) — Commitment is the key to a fruitful ministry, Ron Evans says. He should know. He is the pastor of a church that literally meets under a tree. On any given Sunday afternoon, people of all ages…
Dobson backs Huckabee after Romney bows out
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (ABP) — In a move unprecedented for him, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has endorsed a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. In a statement released Feb. 7, Dobson backed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee…
Huckabee, McCain, Dems left as Romney drops out of race
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Mike Huckabee's Feb. 5 assertion that he is now in a “two-man race” was ratified Feb. 7 when former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney dropped out of the Republican contest for the presidency. With an announcement to Washington…
Victims, Baptists focus on relief after deadly storms
JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP) — Baptist churches and organizations are both suffering and helping in the wake of deadly tornadoes that devastated the Mid-South Feb. 5-6. According to initial National Weather Service reports, more than 60 tornadoes struck Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky…
Deadly Super Tuesday storms devastate Union University
JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP) — Baptist-affiliated Union University was one of the hardest-hit spots as deadly tornadoes raked the Mid-South Feb. 5 — the same day as Mardi Gras celebrations and the “Super Tuesday” primary elections. Among those killed was Fountaine…
After Super Tuesday, parties, religious voters still divided
WASHINGTON (ABP) — About the only thing the Feb. 5 “Super Tuesday” primaries made clear is that religious voters are as conflicted as the general electorate over who the next president should be. By the afternoon of Feb. 6, with…