NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — About one-fourth of the largest and one-third of the fastest-growing churches in America are Baptist, according to an annual listing compiled by LifeWay Research for Outreach Magazine. Nearly half of the nation's largest and fastest-growing churches…
Southern Baptists, other conservative Christians urge Iran action
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Prominent conservative Christian leaders — including the current and former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention — wrote Congress and other world leaders Sept. 21 calling for urgent action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. As…
Morris Chapman to retire in 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Morris Chapman, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, announced plans Sept. 21 to retire at the end of September 2010. Morris Chapman announces retirement plans to the SBC Executive Committee. Chapman, a…
Scandal-plagued pastor loses bid to regain National Baptist presidency
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite a highly publicized effort to regain the presidency of the nation's largest African-American Baptist denomination, disgraced pastor Henry Lyons overwhelmingly lost his election bid Sept. 10. Henry Lyons, a former president of the National Baptist Convention…
Church finds energy in mission
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP) — When churches fall on hard economic times, one of the first thoughts is often to reduce the amount they give to missions. A Kentucky Baptist pastor believes they should do the opposite. “I think churches are…
Health care offers opportunities
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP) — Mission Frankfort Clinic is a godsend for an average of 40 to 50 uninsured patients who come through its doors between 6:30 and 8:30 on Wednesday nights to see a doctor or dentist or to get…
New NIV translation due out in 2011
PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill (ABP) — The New International Version of the Bible is getting its first update since controversy over gender-inclusive texts derailed future revisions more than 20 years ago. Biblica, the new name for a company created when the…
Virginia youth minister faces additional charges
YORK (ABP) — A Southern Baptist youth pastor arrested Aug. 13 on sex charges involving a teenage girl now faces more than 30 additional charges involving a second teenager. Police originally charged Jack Duffer, 40, youth minister at Seaford Baptist…
Black Baptist group elects new leader
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (ABP) — A New Jersey pastor who formerly worked for American Baptist Churches USA has been chosen to lead one of America's largest black Baptist denominations. Walter Parrish III, senior pastor of Union Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J.,…