EDE, Netherlands (ABP) — Members of the Baptist World Alliance General Council affirmed John Upton as the organization’s presidential nominee July 31. Assuming he is elected by the group’s quinquennial Baptist World Congress meeting next year in Honolulu, Upton will…
Saddleback removes audio clip saying abuse no excuse for divorce
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — A senior staff member of Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, quoted earlier this year as teaching the Bible does not permit a woman to divorce an abusive husband, has said the audio clip containing the comment…
Oklahoma Baptist newspaper apologizes to governor for illustration
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — A Baptist newspaper in Oklahoma has apologized for publishing an illustration digitally edited to make it appear a controversial proclamation declaring America a Christian nation was endorsed by the state’s Baptist governor. The Baptist Messenger, official…
Church bus accident claims one life; another teen still critical
SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP) — A Baptist church’s youth minister is recovering at home from injuries he received July 12 when the bus carrying his youth group to a Georgia camp rolled over on a Mississippi interstate highway, injuring 23 passengers…
Religious leaders urge inquiry into use of torture
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A group of high-profile religious leaders from various faiths is pushing President Obama to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate alleged United States-sanctioned use of torture since 9/11. Thirty-three religious leaders met with administration officials after…
Christians and Muslims should speak with, not about, each other, says European Baptist
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (ABP) — Christians and Muslims should speak with each other rather than about each other, a prominent European Baptist leader told reporters prior to a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement July 24. Tony Peck,…
Episcopal presiding bishop terms individualistic salvation ‘heresy’ and ‘idolatry’
ANAHEIM, Calif. (ABP) — The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church called the evangelical teaching that individuals can be right with God a “great Western heresy” that is behind many problems facing the church and the wider society. Presiding Bishop…
Pop Culture Christianity: What fad would Jesus follow?
HOLLAND, Mich. (ABP) — Looking for a way to help members of her youth group use moral discernment when making life choices, a Lutheran youth minister in Holland, Mich., re-read a copy of Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps, a classic…
Baptists minister to war victims in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sri Lanka’s government has declared victory in its 26-year civil war, but a resulting humanitarian crisis is far from over. Leaders of Sri Lankan Baptist Sangamaya (Union) handed out water, milk, footwear and other supplies to about…
Former SBC president embraces creation care
DULUTH, Ga. (ABP) — A former president of the Southern Baptist Convention acknowledged to a group of Christian environmentalists that he is a recent convert to the concept of creation care. “We ought to motivate every follower of Christ in…
‘National Year of the Bible’ resolution roils Congress, drawing praise and criticism
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A battle over the Bible is brewing in the halls of Congress, and political blogs are buzzing about a Southern Baptist congressman’s desire to designate 2010 as “The National Year of the Bible.” Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.),…
IRS should review Liberty University’s tax-exempt status, says watchdog group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A church-state watchdog group says the IRS should review Liberty University's tax-exempt status for its decision to revoke recognition of its Democratic Party student club. University officials ordered the student group May 15 to cease using the…