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…
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…
New Yorker shares hope, forgiveness with others in HIV/AIDS community
NEW YORK (ABP) — “Peace be with you,” says Frank Tomaselli as he ends a conversation. But these words are more than a greeting to Tomaselli. They're a way of life. Growing up in a household where his parents used…
State Baptist meetings offer mixed results for supporters of Baptist World Alliance
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — If the Baptist World Alliance, which lost its largest member and funder earlier this year, hoped to recoup some of that funding from state Baptist conventions, the organization got little encouragement during the recent round…
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…
North Carolina church leaves convention over woman preacher
MARION, N.C. (ABP) — Parker's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church voted Nov. 7 to withdraw from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Baptist Association after learning that a woman had been slated to preach the annual…
Louisiana College president pick Yarnell withdraws, citing ‘governance issues’
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Almost two months to the day after Louisiana College trustees elected Texas educator Malcolm Yarnell as president of the school, he declined the position because of an ongoing controversy over governance and accreditation of the Baptist…
Louisiana College board responds to accrediting agency study
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — The trustees of Louisiana College have responded to criticisms from the school's accreditation agency Nov. 14, but the response may not be sufficient to overcome a special study committee's concerns about recent academic freedom and goverance….
Conventions vocal about gay marriage, cautious about public education
(ABP) — As “values voters” in 11 states sent a political message rejecting same-sex marriage, Baptist conventions in at least seven states offered a resounding “Amen” by adopting resolutions against the practice. Most of the statements voiced support for constitutional…