SANTA ANA, Calif. (ABP) — The last remaining evangelical church in Gaza is functioning but in danger of dying, famed Bible smuggler Brother Andrew said after a recent visit to Gaza Baptist Church. “Christians in the west are surprised to…
Baptist pastor opposes N.C. gay-marriage ban
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — A prominent progressive Baptist congregation weighed into debate over North Carolina’s proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage Jan. 29. Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., sponsored an adult forum titled N.C. Amendment 1: Personal Freedom,…
Raleigh, N.C., church administrator charged with theft
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — A former administrator at a prominent North Carolina moderate Baptist church was arrested recently and charged with embezzling more than $136,000 in church funds over a five-year period. Robert Lahr, 49, is accused of taking $136,324.58…
Supreme Court declines to review N.C. prayer case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The U.S. Supreme Court declined Jan. 17 to reconsider a lower court’s decision barring a North Carolina county from invoking prayers in Jesus’ name at twice-a-month meetings of its main governing body. The court declined without comment…
MLK holiday a day of service for Baltimore church
BALTIMORE (ABP) — Observing a national holiday honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., members of a Baptist church in Baltimore took advantage of their day off from work for service opportunities as a way to live out the…
Sunday school both modern and evolving institution
Sunday school plays such an important role in Baptist life a typical churchgoer might be tempted to think it always has been around. In fact, it is a relatively modern and evolving invention. While some debate its origins, most credit…
Film claims age-graded Sunday school harms families
A controversial new documentary movie contends age-graded Sunday school and youth ministry are doing more harm than good. In Divided, young filmmaker Philip Leclerc sets out to discover why so many people of his generation are leaving the church. The…
Can Sunday School be saved? Experts look at its future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sunday school, a staple of Protestant church life in the United States in the 20th century, is in decline, prompting some scholars to question whether the institution has a future. The Southern Baptist Convention has reported declines…
Baptist church takes stand for gay marriage
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Members of a North Carolina Baptist church voted unanimously Nov. 20 to stop performing civil marriages until it becomes legal for same-sex couples to wed. Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., says current state law…
Diverse Baptists gather around shared concerns at New Baptist Covenant
ATLANTA (ABP) — Baptists laid aside differences of race, geography and tradition to affirm common values of care for the poor and marginalized in Atlanta and satellite locations across the United States Nov. 17. “Our strength and effectiveness will derive…
British Baptist newspaper to cease publication after 156 years
DIDCOT, England (ABP) — The Baptist Times, an award-winning newspaper published weekly for British Baptists for 156 years, will cease both print and digital editions at the end of the year. Bill Johnston, chairman of the Baptist Times board of…
Exploratory talks may lead to formal dialogue between Baptists, Orthodox
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,…