INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — Two moderate Baptist theology schools have received $2 million grants from the Lilly Endowment to work with churches to promote “ministerial excellence.” McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University’s theology school in Atlanta, will use the funds to…
Widowed Alabama pastor learns to ‘truly trust God’
STEVENSON, Ala. (ABP) — With joy in his voice, Derek Boyd talked about picking up his sons from school. It is one of the highlights of his day. Full of thoughtful reflections and humorous anecdotes, his conversation naturally flowed back…
Herod’s slaughter aside, Christians too familiar with genocide, author says
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Christians reading the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth are often jolted by King Herod's act of genocide. When told by the wise men of the birth of a Jewish king, Herod ordered all the Jewish infants…
UCC officials file FCC complaints against network TV affiliates
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United Church of Christ has filed Federal Communications Commission complaints against two television stations in Florida over their parent networks' refusals to air a controversial church advertisement. Church officials, acting on behalf of UCC members in…
Federal judge narrows scope of lawsuit challenging Bush faith-based plan
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…
Faculty-wide vote at Baylor calls for president’s firing
WACO, Texas (ABP) — A majority of Baylor University faculty who voted in a nonbinding referendum on the leadership of President Robert Sloan say he should be dismissed. Of the 490 votes cast, 85 percent were against retaining Sloan as…