FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) – Teams from the Baptist World Alliance and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople held exploratory talks Oct. 30-Nov. 2 that could lead to formal dialogue between Baptist and Orthodox Christians internationally. BWA General Secretary Neville Callam,…
Baptist cooperation developed slowly but took root deeply
DALLAS (ABP) — Mention "cooperation" and many Baptists think of the Cooperative Program, the Southern Baptist Convention's unified giving plan. But Baptists may have forgotten that instead of money, cooperation historically grew around accomplishing kingdom work together — primarily missions…
Crossing boundaries in ministry poses opportunities, challenges
ATLANTA (ABP) — "Are we missing the big picture?" That's the question some Christian leaders are asking as America's centuries-old denominational patterns unravel and while denominational distinctions seem as entrenched — and unbridgeable — as ever. In a post-denominational society,…
Does Calvinism extol God’s glory or make him a moral monster?
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Roger Olson, professor at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, agreed to write a new book refuting Calvinism because he believes somebody needs to rescue God's reputation. "I am against any Calvinism — and any theology —…
Baptist Peace Fellowship to re-issue sexuality resource
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) – The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has announced plans to publish an expanded and updated edition of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Resource for Congregations in Dialogue on Sexual Orientation, a 250-page study…
American Baptist leader named president-elect for NCC
Roy Medley CHICAGO (ABP) – Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, was elected president-elect of the National Council of Churches Nov. 9 at a meeting of the NCC governing board in Chicago. Medley will lead the ecumenical…
CBF coordinator search committee named
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship officers have named a nine-member search committee to find a replacement for Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal, who will retire June 30, 2012. Chaired by George Mason, senior pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in…
Virginia Baptists elect first black president, restore ties to Averett
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — For the first time in 188 years, the predominantly white Baptist General Association of Virginia has an African-American president. Suffolk, Va., pastor Mark Croston was elected to the top spot during the BGAV’s annual meeting Nov….
NC Baptists support gay-marriage ban
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) – The North Carolina Baptist Convention adopted a resolution endorsing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state. Meeting Nov. 7-8 in Greensboro, North Carolina Baptists encouraged member churches to “vigorously organize a…