By Marv Knox Reading the cover of the latest edition of The Christian Century felt a bit like yanking the scab off an old wound. Two conversation bubbles square off on a blue-and-red page. “Conservatives are closed-minded,” one insists. “Liberals…
OPINION: Paynter’s election is splendid news for CBF
How is Suzii Paynter’s selection to lead the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship great news? Let me count the ways. Before that, some background: CBF’s executive coordinator search committee nominated Paynter to lead the nationwide Baptist organization. If confirmed by the CBF…
Ethnic labels a hindrance to unity in Christ
Ethnic labels and segregation at the Lord’s Supper table thwart Christian unity, a Baptist international leader told participants at a Christian ethics lecture series in the United States. Neville Callam, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, delivered the 12th…
In Oklahoma City, New Baptist Covenant takes aim at payday lending
OKLAHOMA CITY — Payday lending traps many of America’s working poor in a vortex of debt, participants at the New Baptist Covenant II satellite meeting in Oklahoma City learned. Each New Baptist Covenant facility focused on a mission project, and…
Speak up for justice, preachers tell crowd at Oklahoma City satellite
OKLAHOMA CITY — The world’s brokenness calls out for Christians who will speak courageously on behalf of justice and fairness, a trio of pastors told participants at the New Baptist Covenant II satellite sessions in Oklahoma City. About 200 people…
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship marks anniversary with laughter, hope
TAMPA, Fla.– The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship looked back in laughter and forward in hope at a celebration banquet marking its 20th anniversary June 22. So-called moderates who lost a bitter 12-year battle for control of the Southern Baptist Convention founded…
Fighting hunger makes economic and political sense, Christian activist says
DALLAS — Despite deep divisions in U.S. society, Christians can lead the way toward bipartisan solutions to the pain of poverty, insisted one of the world’s top hunger fighters. “Church people — whose congregations often span the political spectrum —…
BWAid head Paul Montacute plans to retire, committee learns
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Paul Montacute, director of the Baptist World Alliance's relief-and-recovery arm BWAid, will retire in July 2012, the BWA executive committee learned in meetings March 7-9. BWA leaders are expected to elect a successor to Montacute,…
Baylor regents vote to allow non-Baptists on governing board
DALLAS — The governing body of Baylor University, the world’s largest Baptist academic institution, now may include Christians who are not Baptists. Baylor’s board of regents voted Feb. 11 to amend the university’s bylaws, allowing members who are active in…