• Gallup Poll finds Americans evenly divided on question of gay marriage_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Gallup Poll finds Americans
  evenly divided on question of gay marriage

  WASHINGTON (RNS)–Americans are almost evenly divided on whether they think legal marriage of same-sex partners is acceptable, according to a USA Today/CNN/ Gallup Poll.

  Forty-eight percent of respondents said they think permitting gay unions “will change our society for the worse,” while 40 percent said gay marriage would have no effect and 10 percent said it would make society better.

  The survey also found churchgoers are more often among the percentage of Americans who think society would be worsened by legal marriage of same-sex couples, USA Today reported.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• North Carolina convention removes church for baptizing homosexuals_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  North Carolina convention removes
  church for baptizing homosexuals

  By Steve DeVane

  N.C. Biblical Recorder

  CONCORD, N.C. (ABP)–A church that was removed from its association in April has been quietly taken off the rolls of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina as well.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Fight against gay marriage makes odd partners_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Fight against gay marriage makes odd partners

  By Mark O'Keefe

  Religion News Service

  DETROIT (RNS)–Michigan legislator Triette Reeves has few evangelical Christians living in her Detroit district. As a black Democrat, she has never associated with religious conservatives.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Jews for Allah takes a page from Christian mission efforts_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Jews for Allah takes a page from Christian mission efforts

  By Alexandra Alter

  Religion News Service

  DANBURY, Conn. (RNS)–It began as sort of a joke.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Texas Baptist Forum_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
  Highest ambition

  The church should offer the greatest example of forgiveness, patience, mercy, love and “watching what you say.” Unfortunately, conflict often occurs between pastor and congregation.

  The church, where we preach that no one is perfect, should be a place where we do not expect perfection. But it seems rare that we hear about a loving congregation, whose members and pastor actually get along.

  E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com

  However, this is not necessarily the case.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Louisiana College requires 2000 BF&M_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Louisiana College requires 2000 BF&M

  PINEVILLE, La. (ABP)–Louisiana College trustees have adopted new policies that give trustees more direct involvement in faculty hiring and make affirmation of Southern Baptists' controversial doctrinal statement an official requirement.

  Since 1997, prospective faculty members have been asked informally if they would teach “in harmony” with the Baptist Faith & Message statement, school officials said. The new policy makes affirmation of the more conservative 2000 version of the statement an official policy.

  “This simply represents an enhancement of the process we already have,” said trustee Ed Tarpley, pastor of Alpine First Baptist Church in Pineville, La.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Bush proclaims Marriage Protection Week_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Bush proclaims Marriage Protection Week

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–In a sign that he might support an effort to amend the Constitution to ban gay marriages, President Bush heeded the call of a coalition of Religious Right groups and proclaimed Oct. 12-18 Marriage Protection Week.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Fund helps two missionary families return to field_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Fund helps two missionary families return to field

  DALLAS–Texas Baptists are helping support two missionary families through a newly established conduit that funnels money from churches and individuals to former Southern Baptist Convention missionaries.

  Four other missionary families are in the process of applying for funding.

  Through the funding channel, any church or individual can send money to missionaries who resigned, retired or were terminated due to the International Mission Board's requirement that missionaries affirm the Southern Baptist Convention's 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Missouri asks to borrow $1 million_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Missouri asks to borrow $1 million

  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.–The Missouri Baptist Convention's Executive Board has proposed borrowing up to $1 million to fund its lawsuits against five former convention agencies that declared self-perpetuating boards.

  Messengers to the Missouri convention's annual session in St. Louis Nov. 3-5 will be asked to affirm creation of an Agency Restoration Fund, which will be backed by a $1 million line of credit from a bank at prime rate.

  The Oct. 9 action was reported in the Pathway, the state convention's new news journal, launched after the Word & Way amended its charter to remove the convention's authority to name trustees.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• North Carolina church calls missionary woman_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  North Carolina church calls missionary woman

  By Steve DeVane & Greg Warner

  Associated Baptist Press

  WELDON, N.C. (ABP)–A former Southern Baptist missionary who refused the International Mission Board's request to rescind her ordination was hired as pastor of a North Carolina church Oct. 5.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• ‘North Dallas’ changes, as does church’s role_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  'North Dallas' changes, as does church's role

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  DALLAS–The words “North Dallas” carry a connotation of affluence, but North Dallas Baptist Church is anything but affluent. But then again, it isn't located in what most locals today would call North Dallas either.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  On the Move_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  On the Move

  Robert Beck has completed an interim pastorate at Calvary Church in Pilot Point.

  Tommy Billings to Guadalupe Association as director of missions from Mullins Association in Duncan, Okla.

  Ronnie Bostick to Olden Church in Olden as interim pastor.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge