WASHINGTON (ABP) — Congress has sent President Bush a bill that would fund restoration of 21 historic church buildings in California. Bush received the “California Missions Preservation Act” (H.R. 1446) Nov. 20 after the House passed it in final form…
North Carolina Baptists to keep plans that fund moderate causes (updated)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Nov. 15-17 voted to keep the convention's four giving plans intact, including the plan favored by moderates. Ted Stone, a freelance minister from…
California Baptists approve one resolution, bylaw changes
HIGHLAND, Calif. (ABP) — With the exception of several bylaw changes concerning the relationship of the California Southern Baptist Convention to its agencies, messengers to the convention's annual meeting approved a number of routine items with little debate. Messengers also…
Kentucky Baptists launch ministry plan, reject BWA study proposal
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — “Kentucky Baptists Connect,” an ambitious five-year ministry emphasis, was the primary focus of the Kentucky Baptist Convention's annual meeting Nov. 16-17 in Louisville. The business sessions, however, featured more division than connection. Messengers split their votes…
Louisiana Baptists decry gay marriage, stem-cell research, homosexuality
ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) — Messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention approved eight resolutions without discussion — including statements against embryonic stem-cell research, gay marriage, and homosexuality — during the closing session of their Nov. 15-16 annual meeting, when leaders acknowledged…
Will Rice as secretary of state alter U.S. foreign policy on persecution?
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The resignation of Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Bush's choice of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace him may not mean much change in the United States' foreign policy regarding religious-freedom issues, according to…
Democrats elect pro-lifer Reid to leadership, while Specter’s chairmanship appears safe
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Senate Democrats, whose party officially supports abortion rights, have elected an abortion opponent as their leader. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans, whose party officially opposes abortion, appear ready to name a rare pro-choice senator as chair of one of…
Alabama Baptists denounce gay marriage, decline to fund Baptist World Alliance
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — Alabama Baptists passed resolutions against same-sex marriage and in favor of education and military chaplains. But they turned down an attempt to divert $30,000 from the Southern Baptist Convention to the Baptist World Alliance. Last June…
Molly Marshall elected president at Central Seminary, makes history
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (ABP) — Molly Marshall was elected president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary Nov. 12, becoming the fist female president of an accredited Baptist seminary. Marshall, 54, succeeds Thomas Clifton, who retired at the end of 2003 after…
North Carolina Baptists to keep plans that fund moderate causes — for now
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina voted Nov. 16 to keep the convention's four giving plans. But a move to eliminate the plan favored by moderates still looms as…
Despite objections, Illinois Baptists reduce board of directors by half
TINLEY PARK, Ill. (ABP) — Amid concerns that too much power is being concentrated in the hands of fewer leaders, messengers to the Illinois Baptist State Association's annual meeting approved a constitutional change to reduce its board of directors by…
Tennessee Baptists to investigate teaching at three colleges (updated)
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Tennessee Baptists turned back an attack on “anti-Christian” teaching in public schools but agreed to investigate the biblical views taught in their three affiliated Baptist colleges. Messengers to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Nov. 9-10 in Sevierville…