FOREST CITY, N.C. (ABP) — The church that received national media attention in late May for a sign that said the Muslim holy book should be put in a toilet has withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention. The congregation of…
Texas Baptist board approves revamped representation plan
DALLAS (ABP) –The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board has approved revised bylaws that would reduce the board's size by more than half. Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting Nov. 7-8 in Austin will vote on the amended bylaws…
Moderate Missouri convention elects executive, approves strategic plan
ROACH, Mo. (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Missouri approved a strategic plan and elected Jim Hill as executive director during the moderate convention's annual meeting April 29-30. Hill, named interim executive director at last year's meeting, will become…
Baylor interim sets decisive course with first-day appointments
WACO, Texas (ABP) – Baylor University's interim president steered the rudder of Baptists' flagship university during his first day at the helm. Bill Underwood announced three high-level administrative appointments, most pointedly replacing the university's top academic officer, David Lyle Jeffrey,…
Missouri appeals court ruling deals partial setback to agencies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A state appeals court ruling means the Missouri Baptist Convention will be able to continue pursuing its lawsuit against five agencies that removed themselves from MBC control. In a preliminary opinion issued May 31, the…
Calif. legislators narrowly defeat legalization of gay marriage
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) — California legislators narrowly defeated a bill June 2 that would have made that state the first in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage legislatively. The 37-36 vote in favor of the bill, although a narrow majority,…
Congressional leaders re-appoint three to religious-freedom panel
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Congressional leaders have re-appointed three long-time advocates for religious liberty to a federal panel charged with monitoring worldwide conditions for freedom of conscience. The leaders re-appointed Felice Gaer, Ricardo Ramirez and Nina Shea to the United States…
In ‘Larry King’ interview, Clinton cautions conservatives, liberals on religion
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Former President Bill Clinton cautioned both Democrats and Republicans on their use — or lack thereof — of religious language in a television appearance June 1. Appearing on CNN's popular “Larry King Live” program, Clinton told conservatives…
Supreme Court upholds law designed to protect inmates’ religious rights
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A unanimous Supreme Court upheld a federal law May 31 that makes it easier for prison inmates — and others — to assert their religious freedom. The justices validated the constitutionality of the Religious Land Use and…