Louisiana College violated accrediting body’s standards and internal policies, study says_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Louisiana College violated accrediting body's
standards and internal policies, study says

PINEVILLE, La. (ABP)–Citing “a general climate of fear” and “pervasive mistrust” among faculty, administrators and trustees, a special team of investigators has concluded Louisiana College violated principles of academic freedom and proper board governance.

The report came from a specially appointed study team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, sent to investigate several recent controversies over academic freedom and other issues at the Louisiana Baptist institution. The study concluded the school had violated both standards set by the regional accrediting body and its own stated college policies in several areas.

“The committee concluded, based upon extensive interviews … that a significant portion of the board of trustees of Louisiana College are influenced if not controlled by the agenda of the Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship and the Louisiana Baptist Convention,” the report stated.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Voters in 11 states approve bans on same-sex marriage_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Voters in 11 states approve bans on same-sex marriage

WASHINGTON (ABP)–Opponents of same-sex marriage got a clean sweep in the Nov. 2 elections, with voters in 11 states–from Michigan to Oregon and from Georgia to North Dakota–passing constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage.

Most of the proposals carried by large margins, according to the most recent figures available. In Mississippi, voters passed their state's ban by an 86-to-14 percent margin. In several other states–Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Dakota and Oklahoma–similar bans passed by margins of about three to one.

The amendments in Utah and Montana passed by 66-to-34 percent in each state. Even in Michigan and Oregon–states carried by Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry–similar bans passed by wide margins (59 to 41 percent in Michigan's case, and 57 to 43 percent in Oregon's).

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Midland missionary serves in Uganda _110804

Posted: 11/05/04 Midland missionary serves in Uganda John Witte of First Baptist Church in Midland, an International Mission Board worker in northern Uganda, says Bible stories in the heart language…

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Missouri Baptist Convention files new suits against five agencies than changed charters_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Missouri Baptist Convention files new suits
against five agencies than changed charters

By Vicki Brown

Missouri Word & Way

RAYTOWN, Mo. (ABP)–On the same day it opened its 170th annual session, the Missouri Baptist Convention filed new legal action against five related agencies.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Ethnic ‘niche’ Bible study groups attract university students_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Ethnic 'niche' Bible study groups attract university students

By Amanda Mantone

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–At the Word Up! Bible Study in George Washington University's student center, dozens of students surrender their Thursday nights–the biggest “party night” of the GW week–to worshipping God.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Young Brownwood woman adopts African lifestyle to share Christian faith_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Young Brownwood woman adopts
African lifestyle to share Christian faith

By Gloria Douglas

Special to the Baptist Standard

Faith Scarbrough of Brownwood has “gone African.”

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Reyes offers suggestions for dealing with pastor shortage in Hispanic congregations_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Albert Reyes

Reyes offers suggestions for dealing with
pastor shortage in Hispanic congregations

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

One Hispanic Texas Baptist congregation out of six lacks a pastor, but Albert Reyes refuses to believe it's because God isn't calling enough people into ministry.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Isolation, economics make it hard to find pastors in some rural areas_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Isolation, economics make it hard
to find pastors in some rural areas

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

More than eight in 10 pastorless churches affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas average 100 or less in Sunday school attendance.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Busy preachers face temptation to plagiarize ready-to-preach sermons_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Busy preachers face temptation to
plagiarize ready-to-preach sermons

By Grace Thornton

Alabama Baptist

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP)– Megachurch pastor Rick Warren may fill the pulpit of your church this Sunday morning. Actually, he might have been there before too. The question is, did you recognize him?

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

When the preacher confesses, people listen, Miller insists_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

When the preacher confesses, people listen, Miller insists

By George Henson

Staff Writer

NEW BRAUNFELS–Three points and a poem may offer a familiar formula for preachers, but it may not be the best way to reach the person in the pew, noted preacher and professor Calvin Miller recently said.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

TBM Retiree Builders remodel three British churches to meet accessibility requirements_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

TBM Retiree Builders remodel three British
churches to meet accessibility requirements

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Volunteers with Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders recently built up English Baptist ministry by remodeling three church buildings.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge

Evidence shows plague of slavery persists in northwest Africa_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

Evidence shows plague of slavery persists in northwest Africa

By Elizabeth Bryant

Religion News Service

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (RNS)–In the rigid caste system of her Kunta tribe, Ghoive Mint Sabahr knew her place.

11/05/2004 - By John Rutledge