By Bob Allen A dozen U.S. Baptists recently traveled to Cuba to learn about Baptists there and bridge religious, political and cultural differences dividing the two countries. A delegation from Churchnet, also known as the Baptist General Convention of Missouri,…
Texas Baptists cut spending, elect female president
By Bob Allen Messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas meeting Nov. 16-18 in Waco approved a 2015 basic budget of $35 million, more than $2.1 million below this year’s spending plan. A grand total budget of $37,784,297 represents reduced…
Umbrella protests roil graduation at Hong Kong Baptist University
By Bob Allen The president of Hong Kong Baptist University drew criticism after refusing to hand diplomas to graduates on stage carrying yellow umbrellas, symbols of a student led civil-disobedience movement started in September called Occupy Central. The university allowed…
Ministry model appears to overcome barriers to reviving challenged communities
By Terry Goodrich A new model of ministry that empowers residents in an at-risk neighborhood of Dallas to transform their communities has resulted in crime reduction, better meeting of health needs, more jobs and improved student academic performance, according to…
Patient Zero of SBC controversy: B. H. Carroll defies theological labels, historians assert
By Ken Camp Neither Baptist progressives nor fundamentalists have the right to lay exclusive claim to the legacy of B.H. Carroll, two church historians told a fall colloquy sponsored by a theological institute that bears Carroll’s name. Baptists who view…
Georgia Baptists join ‘personhood’ campaign
By Bob Allen Georgia Baptists have joined an effort to switch the abortion debate from a woman’s right to choose to the “personhood” of the unborn fetus from the moment of conception. The Georgia Baptist Convention passed a resolution at…
Alabama Baptist convention opposes Common Core education standards
By Bob Allen Alabama state leaders were urged to repeal Common Core standards promoted by the U.S. Department of Education in a resolution adopted at the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 11-12 in Birmingham. The resolution titled “On Parental…
Interim seminary head praises progress against Ebola in Liberia
By Bob Allen Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced Nov. 13 the end of national state of emergency, citing progress in the fight against Ebola. Richard Wilson, a Mercer University professor forced to leave his temporary appointment as president of…
Vote inaugurates far-reaching governance change for BGAV
By Robert Dilday A far-reaching shift in governance of the 191-year-old Baptist General Association of Virginia went into effect Nov. 12 when messengers at the group’s annual meeting adopted a set of constitutional and bylaw changes implementing a proposal adopted…