Baptist Press Archive

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

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  • Church revitalization challenges draw state leaders
    by Keith Collier/Southern Baptist TEXAN, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) -- State convention leaders from across the country gathered to discuss and strategize for revitalizing plateaued and declining Southern Baptist churches.

    This marked the fourth year for the state revitalization network meeting, which was held March 20-21 at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. Read More

  • Ala. governor's resignation yields call to prayer
    by David Roach, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

     
    MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) -- After Alabama's governor pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and resigned amid allegations of illegal conduct to cover up an extramarital affair, the state's Southern Baptists expressed disappointment and pledged prayer.

    "More than anything, we need to pray for Gov. [Robert] Bentley," Alabama Baptist Convention President John Thweatt told Baptist Press. "Pray for his family. Pray for our new governor [Kay Ivey], lifting her up and asking God to give her direction and give her wisdom." Read More

  • Restrictions, hostilities increase for people of faith
    by Staff, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

    Pew Research graphic
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The world's religious adherents experienced greater government restraints and social animosities after two years of declines, according to a newly released study.

    The Pew Research Center reported Tuesday (April 11) the percentage of countries with "high" or "very high" levels of anti-religious policies or acts increased in 2015. The share of countries with such levels of government restrictions -- including laws, policies and actions -- edged up from 24 percent in 2014 to 25 percent in 2015. The percentage of countries with such degrees of religious hostility -- performed by individuals, organizations or societal groups -- jumped from 23 to 27 percent. Read More

  • Gateway Seminary dedicates Bay Area campus
    by Katherine Chute, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

    Photo by Kyle Drake
    FREMONT, Calif. (BP) -- Gateway Seminary dedicated a new campus in the San Francisco Bay Area April 8, fulfilling a promise that the institution would not abandon its presence there.

    But the story behind the new facility in Fremont, Calif., has two parts: one from the perspective of the Southern Baptist seminary -- formerly known as Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary -- and the other on the side of a church that was declining but wanted to continue its commitment to missions. Read More

  • Murder charges dropped against former pastor
    by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) -- The prosecution of former Southern Baptist associate pastor Richard Shahan should be dropped for lack of sufficient evidence to prove whether he stabbed to death his wife in 2013, Alabama Attorney General Steven Marshall announced Monday (April 10).

    Marshall filed a motion in Jefferson County Circuit Court to "nolle prosequi without prejudice" -- drop the prosecution without prejudice -- of 55-year-old Shahan, thereby preserving the right to prosecute if and when additional evidence becomes available. Read More

  • EASTER: The essential resurrection
    by Jim Richards, posted Tuesday, April 11, 2017 (7 years ago)

    Jim Richards underscores the Easter message of Christ's victory over the grave, noting, "Without the resurrection, the cross is a sad ending of a good man," leaving mankind without hope, "but with it, we have the assurance of eternal life." Read More