WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal judge has dismissed the most sweeping portions of a lawsuit that challenged President Bush's faith-based initiative as unconstitutional. On Nov. 16, Judge John Shabaz of the U. S. District Court of Western Wisconsin dismissed most…
Racist language remains after recount of Ala. constitutional amendment
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — It appears that antiquated racist language will remain in the Alabama Constitution for the time being after an automatic recount determined that an attempt to strip it failed. Supporters of the amendment that would have removed…
Tommy Deal chosen as Florida CBF associate
LAKELAND, Fla. (ABP) – Tommy Deal, 49, has been hired as associate coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida. The Orlando resident is currently director of operations and volunteers for Christian Service Center for Central Florida, a non-profit social-service…
Accrediting agency places Louisiana College on probation
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — The major accrediting agency for schools in the South has placed a Louisiana Baptist college on probation for a year for violating the agency's standards. Louisiana College officials announced Dec. 7 that the Pineville, La., school…
‘Conformity’ trend in state conventions worries some, encourages others
(ABP) — Those who look for denominational trends are disturbed by several recent actions they say are tightening “the noose of conformity” in Baptist life. In a smattering of actions across the Baptist map, several state conventions are narrowing the…
Networks reject UCC ads, citing gay controversies
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Some progressive groups are protesting a decision by two major TV networks to reject advertisements that stress a major Protestant denomination's inclusiveness. The United Church of Christ announced Nov. 30 that negotiations with NBC and CBS officials…
Young adults waiting longer to marry, but may be more happy, stable
WASHINGTON (ABP) — New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms young adults are waiting longer to get married. The result, however, may be healthier marriages. Since 1970, the average age at which men marry for the first time rose…
Alabama officials recounting vote to strip racist wording from charter
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — Old racial wounds in Alabama are being dredged up as election officials across the state recount votes on a Nov. 2 ballot proposal that, if passed, would remove antiquated racist language from the state Constitution. According…
Ecumenical broadcast features Dallas pastor George Mason
DALLAS (ABP) — George Mason, senior pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, will be the featured preacher for three episodes of a national television and radio program. Mason, pastor of Wilshire for 15 years, will preach on the “Day…
ABP launches weekly summary of news for churches, others
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Associated Baptist Press has begun publishing a free weekly news summary for use by churches and other organizations. ABP Headlines includes abbreviated versions of the organization's latest news stories, along with occasional commentaries and reviews. Headlines…
Supreme Court declines to intervene in Massachusetts marriage case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court has denied a request to review a Massachusetts court's decision that legalized gay marriage in that state. Returning to the bench Nov. 29 after their Thanksgiving break, the justices declined without comment a request…
Black, white Memphis congregations confront barriers on World AIDS Day
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Motorists in Memphis are getting a prominent reminder of the AIDS pandemic's human toll — and the grace that God offers — from two Baptist churches situated on one of the city's busiest corners. For the…