Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – An attorney for the Florida Baptist Convention has voiced confidence that a judgment by a jury to award $12.5 million to a man molested by a former church planting pastor will be overturned on appeal. “That confidence is based, in large part, on the jury’s express finding that Myers was an independent pastor who was not hired, employed or supervised by the convention,” Gary Yeldell, the Florida Baptist Convention’s … [Read more...]
Missouri’s Hartzler speaks at March for Life
WASHINGTON – Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler was among the speakers Jan. 22 as tens of thousands of pro-life activists endured frigid temperatures and a snow storm as they gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to mark the 41st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that has prepared the way for an estimated 56 million abortions. The theme for this year’s march was adoption, which organizers called a “heroic decision” for women in crisis … [Read more...]
Racial diversity in churches elusive
Bob Smietana NASHVILLE (BP) – Having a racially diverse church remains more dream than reality for most Protestant pastors. More than eight in 10 (85 percent) say every church should strive for racial diversity, according to a survey from LifeWay Research. But few have diverse flocks. Most (86 percent) say their congregation is predominately one racial or ethnic group. It’s a reality that once led Martin Luther King Jr. to call Sunday mornings the most segregated time of the … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood St. Louis opposes inspections despite 23 emergencies since ‘09
JEFFERSON CITY – A new bill proposed by Missouri lawmakers last week has a representative of the St. Louis Planned Parenthood, the last abortion clinic in that state, claiming that 23 hospitalized abortion patients and 44 pages of safety deficiencies are not a “problem.” The bill, HB 1478, sponsored by Missouri Right to Life, would require a minimum of four inspections of abortion clinics per year. If deficiencies are found, the new law would mandate the closing of the offending abortion … [Read more...]
WMU challenged to raise missions bar
Julie Walters/WMU Communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Raising the bar of missions involvement was the challenge woven throughout national WMU’s board meeting at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, Ala. National WMU President Debby Akerman said in her address, “With Jesus’ words in Mark 8:34, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me,’ the bar was raised for those following Jesus.” “For the disciples He had called, as well … [Read more...]
‘Downton Abbey’ – the larger story
By Al Mohler/President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — Americans by the millions tuned in to “Downton Abbey” at the beginning of its fourth season, eager to enjoy the continuation of the saga of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and their household. According to press reports, 10.2 million Americans watched the first episode Jan. 5, catching up on developments since the end of the third season, which ended with yet another tragedy, this time the … [Read more...]
Abedini moved in Iranian prison
WASHINGTON – American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been wrongfully imprisoned in Iran for more than a year because of his Christian faith, has been moved from the murderer ward to the political prisoner ward in Rajai Shahr Prison. Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, was a special guest speaker during The Pathway’s report at the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in October. “Make no mistake; Pastor Saeed is still in the deadliest prison in Iran facing deteriorating medical … [Read more...]
Ezell: SBC church planting proceeding ‘pretty well’
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – All church planters are special to us, but the church planting “Class of 2010” gets some additional attention and scrutiny because in that year we began reporting on Southern Baptist church plants in some new ways, Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Missions Board, said recently. “In 2010 Southern Baptist churches planted a total of 943 new churches,” he noted. “Each of those new churches have an SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) ID number which allows us to … [Read more...]
States budget more for Great Commission
Tammi Reed Ledbetter/Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) – Trending among Baptist state convention meetings this year was the decision to send more money to the mission field – a challenge set forth by the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at its 2010 annual meeting in Orlando. This year more than half of the cooperating state Baptist conventions increased the portion of undesignated Cooperative Program (CP) receipts from local churches … [Read more...]
Winter Olympics outreach ready
William Bagsby/International Mission Board Editor’s note: For more information on Southern Baptists’ efforts concerning the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, visit commissionstories.com/sochi-winter-olympics. The site will be updated with stories, photos, videos, prayer requests and more during the Feb. 7-23 Games. SOCHI, Russia (BP) – Will Baptists have a witness at the Winter Olympics in Russia? Will it be safe from terrorists? Will other issues arise? Marc Ira Hooks, one of … [Read more...]
MO pastor takes gospel to Olympics
FLORISSANT – The Olympic Games are a great meeting place for the people of the world, and Jeff Wells, senior pastor of Cross Keys Baptist Church here, believes it is a wonderful place to introduce them to Jesus. He is ready for his trip to Sochi, Russia. “The Olympics are Acts 1:8 all in one place,” Wells said. “People attend from all over the world, and I love to tell them about Jesus.” Wells tells the story about meeting two guys at the swimming venue in Beijing in 2008. “We started … [Read more...]
Praise for If I Tell You I’m Gay, Will You Still Love Me?
“I would strongly encourage every pastor – indeed every staff member, teacher, ministry leader, youth worker and certainly every parent – to keep this book on their desk. It is very readable, drawing you in from the first page. It maintains a level of interest throughout and contains a wealth of extremely valuable information and insight for dealing not only with this very complex subject, but with those who are impacted by it. Get this book. Get several copies of this book so you will have … [Read more...]