LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) – In order to put more resources into theological education, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has dismissed all of its maintenance workers and hired an international facilities-management company to take over their duties. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal,…
Gay pride week clouds ties between Va. Baptists, Averett University
RICHMOND, Va., (ABP) — Ties between the Baptist General Association of Virginia and Averett University, already strained from a dispute last year over homosexuality, suffered another setback when one of the school's student organizations hosted a gay pride week on…
California judge rules in favor of same-sex marriage
SAN FRANCISCO (ABP) — A California trial judge has said a state law banning same-sex marriage violates the California Constitution. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled March 14 that a state law — first passed by California legislators…
Eminent Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz dead at 55
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (ABP) — One of the world's best-known Baptist theologians died suddenly and unexpectedly March 12. Stanley Grenz, a professor at the evangelical Carey Theological College in Vancouver, died shortly after experiencing a “massive brain hemorrhage,” according to…
Baptist Center for Ethics director Parham diagnosed with acute leukemia
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The head of a moderate Baptist ethics and educational agency has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Robert Parham, founding executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, according to a…
Baptist World Alliance will vote to accept Virginia, Texas conventions
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be recommended for full membership in the Baptist World Alliance, the group's membership committee reported March 9. British Baptist Alistair Brown,…
Tsunami aid groups seek to apply Baptist generosity for long term
(ABP) — Tsunami disaster relief is not a race between the tortoise and the hare. It's more like a relay effort by the two. According to Baptist groups that remain deeply involved in helping victims of the catastrophe, the sprint…
Baptist NCC leader issues cautions for Christian tsunami relief
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist minister who is a Sri Lanka native has issued a set of guidelines for Christians doing relief work in the wake of the Dec. 26 South Asian tsunamis. Shanta Premawardhana, the director of interfaith relations…
Senate ready to pass bankruptcy bill despite Christian opposition
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A bill that would make it much more difficult for many middle-income Americans to get out of debt appeared on its way to passage in the Senate March 10. The “Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act…
Church historian Walter Shurden to be honored by Baptists Today
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — Church historian Walter Shurden, founding executive director of Mercer University's Center for Baptist Studies, will receive the fifth annual Judson-Rice Award from Baptists Today. Mercer President Kirby Godsey will present the award on behalf of the…
BWA president won’t criticize SBC, cites ‘struggling Baptists’ worldwide
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (ABP) — Korean pastor Billy Kim, president of the Baptist World Alliance, declined to criticize a Southern Baptist plan to bring “like-minded Baptists” together to form an alternative to BWA. Kim said there are enough human needs around…
Federal court rules in Bush’s favor in AmeriCorps faith-based program
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a program that is part of President Bush's plan to fund social services through religious charities. The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled March…