ATHENS, Texas (ABP) — Like many pastors nationwide, Kyle Henderson finds great fulfillment in conducting weddings and preparing couples for marriage. And he treasures thank-you notes he receives from couples — particularly the ones he refused to marry. The wedding…
Texas law professor assigned to Rio Grande church-start probe
HOUSTON (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has engaged Brownsville attorney Diane Dillard to investigate alleged mishandling of church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley. Suspicions involve church starts in the lower Rio Grande Valley from 1996 to…
Fashion, faith promote success for down-and-out women
ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — For Jean Cullen, the national coordinator of the Christian Women's Job Corps, success starts on the inside — and must be reflected on the outside as well. Cullen, who heads the national organization aimed at teaching…
UPDATED: Calvinist pastor, Georgia evangelist likely to square off as 1st VP nomination
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A neo-Calvinist may face an evangelist for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention this summer — in addition to the meeting's contested presidential race. Mark Dever, pastor of Washington's Capitol Hill Baptist Church and a…
Memories of SBC boycott fade as Disney lake hosts baptisms
ORLANDO (ABP) — In the latest — and perhaps final — act of reconciliation in the former war between the Southern Baptist Convention and the Walt Disney empire, First Baptist Church of Orlando leaders baptized more than 100 people May…
Calvinist pastor, Georgia evangelist likely to square off as 1st VP nomination
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A neo-Calvinist may face an evangelist for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention this summer — in addition to the meeting's contested presidential race. Mark Dever, pastor of the Washington's Capitol Hill Baptist Church and…
IMB trustees elect former employee as chair, wrangle with Burleson again
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ABP) –Trustees of the International Mission Board elected John Floyd, a former top administrator of the Southern Baptist agency, as trustee chairman — raising questions about a possible conflict of interest. Meanwhile, outgoing chairman Tom Hatley leveled additional…
Floods reach state of emergency for victims in Serbia, Zambia
ATLANTA (ABP) – Flooding in Europe, which started in March and worsened as the Danube River and its tributaries swelled, has created a state of emergency in eight Serbian municipalities, with estimated damage totaling $45 million, according to Reuters. In…
SBC candidate Frank Page warns of rising discontent among conservatives
TAYLORS, S.C. (ABP) — Warning “there is a serious disconnect between the leaders of our Southern Baptist Convention and the rank-and-file,” South Carolina pastor Frank Page announced he will be a candidate for SBC president next month. Page's announcement May…
Pinson tells Truett grads to protect ‘precious gift’ of religious liberty
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Young ministers bear the responsibility for protecting the precious gift of religious liberty from some in the rising generation who would trade freedom for conformity, Bill Pinson told graduates of Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. “Resist…
Madonna again raises Catholic ire, this time with ‘disco crucifixion’
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — Despite being raised Catholic, pop recording artist Madonna has managed once again to offend some Catholic groups by staging a “crucifixion” on a 20-foot, “disco-fied” cross. In the May 21 opening show of her “Confessions” tour…
Rival clergy groups square off over gay-marriage proposal
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Rival clergy groups are facing off over a proposal to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage nationwide. A group of about 30 moderate and liberal Christian and Jewish clergy appeared in a Capitol Hill press conference…