BAGDAD, Ky. (ABP) — Members of the Kentucky Baptist Convention Mission Board have voted to affirm the University of the Cumberlands' recent decision to dismiss an openly homosexual student. Citing “the recent public controversy surrounding the Baptist school's dismissal of…
House passes bill undercutting military chaplain guidelines
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives has amended a defense-spending bill to appease activists who believe new military guidelines encroach on the religious freedom of evangelical chaplains. The bill, as amended, passed the House May 11 on a 396-31…
Robertson claims church-state group co-opted by communists, ACLU
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson is once again making waves with comments on his “700 Club” television broadcast — this time criticizing a church-state watchdog group he frequently battles. Robertson, who has made worldwide headlines several times in…
Texas Baptists to hire outside lawyer to investigate church-starting funds
DALLAS (ABP) — An attorney will guide an investigation into alleged mishandling of Texas Baptist money to start churches in the Rio Grande Valley. Charles Wade, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, has asked the convention's elected…
Mysteries behind Da Vinci movie based on ‘hoax’ of secret society, experts say
DALLAS (ABP) — The most debated movie of the year, The Da Vinci Code, is built on a premise that was revealed as a hoax more than 10 years ago, say historians, art experts and theologians. Dan Brown's best-selling book…
Ronnie Floyd nomination sparks talk of weak SBC support, fire-truck baptistry
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (ABP) — News of the nomination of Arkansas megachurch pastor Ronnie Floyd to be the next Southern Baptist Convention president has brought new attention to his church's high-tech evangelism methods and lackluster financial support of the denomination he…
NAMB cancels controversial contracts in effort to restore ‘Baptist confidence’
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (ABP) — The North American Mission Board has canceled four controversial contracts initiated by former president Bob Reccord that critics said were wasting Southern Baptist missions money. The cancellations, which reportedly will save millions of dollars, were…
Boost for college ministries urged, but where will money come from?
DECATUR, Ga. (ABP) — Baptists are losing momentum in connecting with college students, Mercer University President Kirby Godsey said May 4. “These college students will not demand our attention. They will simply ignore us.” Godsey urged the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…
Peace treaty signed for Darfur, but not all factions on board
ABUJA, Nigeria (ABP) — Although the Sudanese government and the main rebel group in the nation's troubled Darfur region signed a peace treaty May 5, international representatives were still working May 9 to keep the deal from falling apart. Cracks…
Tenn. Baptists reject Belmont offer, will likely sue to retain control
NASHVILLE (ABP) — Tennessee Baptists voted May 9 to reject an offer of $5 million from Belmont University that would have given the school power to elect its own trustees. Instead, the Tennessee Baptist Convention likely will now sue the…
Reinstated missionaries say IMB report misrepresents their actions, decisions
DALLAS (ABP) — Wyman and Michelle Dobbs, the Southern Baptist missionaries recently threatened with termination by the International Mission Board and then reinstated, say the IMB's description of their reinstatement is “inaccurate and inappropriate.” The Dobbses, missionaries for eight years…
Floyd to be nominated SBC president, but other candidates likely to follow
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (ABP) — Ronnie Floyd, pastor of the largest Southern Baptist church in Arkansas, will be nominated as president of the Southern Baptist Convention next month. Georgia pastor Johnny Hunt, who until a week ago was the nominee favored…