AMARILLO, Texas (ABP) — Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting narrowly elected the first woman president of the state convention — and continued a two-decade string of officers endorsed by the moderate Texas Baptists Committed organization….
Hearing the Call
Hearing God's call to vocational service may not be as easy in a Baptist church as it once was, but some congregations are determined to change that. Once upon a time, a public invitation at the close of the sermon…
Race: The final frontier
When Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans and Nigerians gather in the same place on Sunday morning, planning worship presents challenges. “Its a lot more than just a question of hymns or choruses,” said Charlie Brown, pastor of The Crossing Baptist Church in…
Opportunities, challenges confront increasingly multi-ethnic congregation
DALLAS—Soon after Pastor Bruce Troy arrived at Gaston Oaks Baptist Church in Dallas, he challenged a group in the congregation to answer one question: “What would you do if God put 100 people on your doorstep?” Three years later, Troy…
Students want to serve God’s kingdom – not necessarily in the church
College students who feel a calling into ministry passionately want to make a difference for God's kingdom. But a significant number don't believe the local-church setting is the place to do it, according to guidance directors for ministerial students at…
Churches keep peace within by focusing on troops—not on the war
Many Christians with deeply held opinions on an increasingly unpopular war find themselves worshipping with fellow believers on the opposite side of the political divide. Feelings particularly run high in communities near military installations. And some leaders of churches in…
‘Let the little children come — to worship
An increasing number of churches offer separate worship services for children, but that may not be what is best for either the children or the church, many children's ministry professionals agree. The faith formation of children is greatly enhanced by…
SECOND OPINION: Think about immigration and Jesus
Don't you wish America's political leadership had an ounce of moral imagination? The Senate's failure to improve our immigration system represents a new low in legislative ineffectiveness. (Coming from someone who's watched the Texas Legislature at un-work, that's a mouthful.)…
Future of missions: What about career missionaries?
As churches and individual Christians demand more hands-on, practical connection to missions, some Baptists are questioning whether a missions-by-proxy approach—churches supporting professional career missionaries sent by large denominational agencies— has a future. Count Ken Hall, president of Buckner International, among…