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…
Church-politicking bill reintroduced, would allow candidate endorsements
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The church-politicking bill is back, and its supporters are as eager as ever to pass it. The measure died in the past two sessions of Congress. Nonetheless Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) again introduced a version of the…
Accreditor hands Wingate University probation for unauthorized program
WINGATE, N.C. (ABP) — The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has put Wingate University on probation for one year, which university officials say is a result of “a procedural misunderstanding.” Wingate has appealed the sanction. In the meantime, the…
Chicago scalpers asking $190 for tickets to hear TV preacher
CHICAGO (ABP) — Tickets to hear popular TV preacher Joel Osteen in a Chicago arena reportedly are commanding a scalper's markup that rivals rock superstars U2. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, $10 tickets to the Houston pastor's May 5-6 “Worship…
Are the Ten Commandments really integral to American legal history?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of government displays of the Ten Commandments, and one local official thinks he knows why such displays are legal. “American law is all about God,” said Allan Watson, mayor of…
House passes bill allowing discrimination as Bush reaffirms faith-based plan
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives has passed another bill giving religious charities the right to discriminate in hiring, even when they receive federal funds. On a largely party-line vote of 224 to 200, the chamber passed the Job…
Prodigal father gets second chance through New Orleans Baptist ministry
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — When Jim Blakely faced medical difficulties in recent years and had to be admitted to the hospital, a friend would ask if there was a family member who needed to be contacted. “I have no one,”…
CBF, Buckner sign partnership to expand global ministry among children
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A major initiative designed to transform the lives of children and families domestically and abroad is being launched in 2005 through a partnership among African Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Texas-based Buckner Baptist Benevolences….
BGCT publisher to produce BWA Bible studies
DALLAS (ABP) — BaptistWay Press, the publishing arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will produce the Bible study materials for this summer's Baptist World Alliance Centenary Congress in Birmingham, England. The Texas publisher replaces LifeWay Christian Resources, the…
Wary Supreme Court hears arguments in two 10 Commandments cases
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The justices of the Supreme Court waded cautiously March 2 into one of the nation's most controversial issues: Whether, and how, governmental displays of the Ten Commandments can ever be constitutional. Hearing oral arguments in two cases,…
Activists weigh in as Decalogue debate spills over to Supreme Court plaza
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Two different views of religion's role in government clashed inside and outside the Supreme Court March 2, as the justices heard arguments about Ten Commandments displays on public property. Charles Hoffman, an activist from Kentucky, held aloft…
Retreat participants cast vision for CBF collegiate ministry
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — August brought a lot of the same for college minister Tim Willis. Same campus. Same students. Same mission. But there was one major difference – a new job and a new ministry venture. After 18 years…