It may look dead, but it's really just evolving—even though its members might not like that word. And it may be developing into something its founders wouldn't recognize. That's what some experts say about the future of the Religious Right…
Call them ‘red-letter Christians’ or progressive evangelicals; they’re a growing political force
NEW YORK (ABP)—In what is shaping up to be a faith-filled race for the presidency, Republican and Democratic candidates have pulled out all the stops—hiring religion gurus, conscientiously attending church, discussing the intimate details of their prayer lives on national…
Pastors challenged to link faith, society in their sermons
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)—Prophecy is not about gazing into the future. It's about passion for a better world right now, speakers at a celebration of preaching stressed. While many think of the prophets of the Bible primarily as predictors of the…
Weary pastors stave off stress by scheduling ‘personal Sabbaths’
DALLAS (ABP)—Consummate counselor, powerful preacher, lasting leader—these are descriptions often used to characterize a respected pastor. Avid fisherman and beach bum are not. But Bruce Prindle, pastor of First Baptist Church in Midlothian, Texas, values fishing and lying in a…
WMU focuses on missions, ministry
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Prayer took center stage as Woman's Missionary Union leaders, missionaries, and Southern Baptist agency leaders spoke at the union's annual meeting June 11, held prior to the Southern Baptist Convention gathering. In her address, union president…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—The recycle of clergy sexual abuse
Secrecy about clergy sexual abuse may protect an abuser's current church from embarrassment but often at the expense of his next church—and its children. Like many small, rural congregations that find themselves without a pastor, East Bonne Terre Baptist Church…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Breaking the cycle: How can churches escape the trap of recycling sex a
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.(ABP)—What can churches do to prevent clergy sex abuse and break the pattern of recycling abusers? Even among activists and experts, there is no consensus—and sometimes loud disagreement—about the steps to be taken. • A ministerial code of ethics….
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sexual predators often fly under the radar at church
NEW YORK (ABP)—Most people think they can spot a sexual predator. He's the pale loner with greasy hair and quivering lips or the grinning lech who hugs too long and slowly rubs the backs of female co-workers—or church members. Could…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—Sex-abuse victims speak up to help others & find healing themselves
NEW YORK (ABP)—Debbie Vasquez was 14 when her pastor started touching her inappropriately. She was 15 when he raped her and 19 when she had his baby. Tina Boyd was molested at 11 and later raped by her church bus…
Study suggests Muslims in U.S. more mainstream than in Europe
WASHINGTON (ABP)—One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind suggests Muslims in the United States are far better assimilated into the nation's culture—and far less likely to espouse extremist beliefs—than their counterparts in Europe. However, the Pew Research Center…
Election of Romanian Baptist may signal unity
CLUJ, Romania (ABP)—In a move signaling a renewed interest in partnering with the European Baptist Federation, Romanian Baptists have elected Otniel Bunaciu as their president. The May 18 decision of the 34th congress of the Baptist Union of Romania was…
Georgia church is largest yet to call woman as senior pastor
DECATUR, Ga. (ABP)—A female pastor who broke the “stained-glass ceiling” in Texas Baptist life is expected to move to a historic church near Atlanta, making it by far the largest Southern Baptist church led by a woman. A search committee…