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…
CBF Council officers name search committee for new Global Missions coordinator
ATLANTA (ABP) — The officers of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's governing Coordinating Council have appointed a seven-member search committee to fill the position of Global Missions coordinator, a position vacated by Barbara Baldridge June 1. Jack Snell, Global Missions associate…
Colorado, Maryland governors deal blows to gay-rights bills
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (ABP) — Two governors have vetoed gay-rights bills passed by their states' legislatures. On May 27, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens (R) vetoed a bill that would have banned private employers in the state from discriminating on the basis…
Baldridge resigns unexpectedly as head of CBF global missions
ATLANTA (ABP) — Barbara Baldridge, coordinator of global missions for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will resign effective May 31, citing unspecified personal reasons. Baldridge, 54, has served in the top CBF missions post since 1999, first jointly with her husband,…
North Carolina Baptist pastor apologizes for Quran sign
FOREST CITY, N.C. (ABP) — A North Carolina Baptist pastor has reversed course, removing a sign outside his church suggesting the Muslim holy book should be put in a toilet. In the face of national media attention and overwhelmingly negative…
Resolution wants churches to investigate schools
COLUMBIA, S.C. (ABP) — A group that tried last year to get Southern Baptists to encourage parents to pull their children out of public schools is now asking the Southern Baptist Convention to urge churches to investigate whether their local…
Central Seminary cuts staff, establishes satellite centers
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (ABP) — A cash-strapped Central Baptist Theological Seminary is significantly reducing its main-campus staff and faculty while establishing a network of satellite campuses in a bid to make its educational offerings more accessible. Acting on a plan…
Baptist Seminary of Kentucky holds inaugural commencement
Lexington, Ky. (ABP) – Baptist Seminary of Kentucky held its inaugural commencement May 14, awarding master of divinity degrees to three graduates. Urging the graduates to be “humble servants of God who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ,” Glenn…
Senate moderates compromise as conservative groups cry ‘foul’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A battle over President Bush's judicial nominees that threatened to destroy what little comity is left in the United States Senate has been defused — at least temporarily. And many of the religious conservative leaders who pushed…