THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (ABP)—Southern Baptists in California have started a new alternative state convention that will compete with the 67-year-old California Southern Baptist Convention for denominational loyalty. California is the fourth state to witness such a move, joining Texas, Missouri…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they say. A…
Hate crimes bill delayed in Senate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Senate stalemate over the Iraq war claimed another victim July 18: a hate-crimes statute that supporters had hoped to attach to a defense bill. But although the attempt to add gender, sexual orientation and disability to…
U.S. Hispanic believers prefer ‘Spirit-filled’ worship in Spanish
WASHINGTON (ABP)—His-panic believers in the United States prefer “Spirit-filled religious expression” and gravitate toward a “distinctively ethnic” worship experience, opting to go to church with other Hispanics and speak Spanish when they get there, according to a recent report by…
Future of Missions: Technology changes the way missionaries work
NEW YORK (ABP)—Most Baptist missions leaders agree technology has changed the face of missions. What they don't agree on is what it has changed the most. Some claim centralized integration of information has radically reshaped the mission process. Others think…
BWA celebrates freedom in Ghana
ACCRA, Ghana (ABP)—Representatives attending the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering in Accra, Ghana, celebrated freedom during a plenary session July 4. BWA President David Coffey of England noted the near-concurrence of America's Independence Day, Ghana's Republic Day (July 1), and…
CBF governing council endorses New Baptist Covenant
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABP)—Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship endorsed the New Baptist Covenant, saying the mission of the diverse Covenant coalition is consistent with the Fellowship's core values. The New Baptist Covenant, launched by former president and Baptist layman Jimmy…
CBF considers U.N. campaign to fight poverty, hunger, disease
WASHINGTON (ABP)—The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship at its general assembly took the first step toward joining the United Nations' campaign against global poverty and disease, called the Millennium Development goals. In a break from business-as-usual during the Fellowship's national meeting, participants…
Baptist papers, ABP create new media venture
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) —The Religious Herald has joined three other Baptist communication organizations to form a new media venture that will collaborate on expansive websites, print publications and other media options for Baptists. The partnership, tentatively called NeoVox, currently includes…