Wednesday, June 05, 2013

• Churches increased in SBC in 2012; members, baptisms fell

  by Marty King, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Southern Baptists experienced growth in the number of churches affiliated with the convention in 2012 and the total amount given for denominational missions causes. However, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions, most of the ACP metrics declined in 2012 including membership, average attendance, baptisms and total giving. Read More

• Anti-pornography initiative to begin national push at SBC; named 'Join One Million Men'

  by Kay Adkins, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  

  Photo by Terrie Turner

  LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- "We're beginning a new sermon series that is scaring me to death," pastor Jay Dennis said on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, from the pulpit of First Baptist Church at the Mall.

  

        The series was titled "Sex and the Saint." For six Sundays, Dennis addressed what God says in His Word about sex. His goal: to combat a "stronghold" in the congregation that destroys Christian families and harms teenagers, singles and even children -- the stronghold of sexual sin. Read More

• Pew: Globally, nations split on homosexuality

  by Michael Foust, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Americans are divided over the issue of homosexuality, and the world is too, according to a new Pew study that examines attitudes about same-sex behavior in 39 countries. Read More

• Sri Lanka Christians facing more persecution

  by Staff, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  

  COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (BP) -- Christians in Sri Lanka, off the southern coast of India, are facing an increase in persecution at the hands of Buddhist fundamentalists who believe the country is a historic Buddhist land that should not be shared with anyone else, a watch group reported. Read More

• Cedarville calls SWBTS' White as president

  by Staff, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  CEDARVILLE, Ohio (BP) -- Cedarville University in Ohio has called as its 10th president Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Read More

• TobyMac wins K-LOVE 'artist of the year'

  by Staff, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- TobyMac won the "Artist of the Year" award June 1 at the first K-LOVE Fan Awards, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

  Other Christian artists nominated for the award were Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Newsboys and Third Day. Read More

• Former Baylor star says she's a lesbian

  by Tim Ellsworth, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  WACO, Texas (BP) -- Former Baylor University basketball star Brittney Griner has acknowledged she is a lesbian and said her coach at Baylor asked her not to discuss her sexuality. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Another moral effect of pornography: a warped worldview

  by R. Albert Mohler Jr., posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  R. Albert Mohler Jr. takes a look at studies that suggest users of pornography are more prone to support gay marriage. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Re-gaining an appreciation of the Old Testament

  by Gregory Smith, posted Wednesday, June 05, 2013 (11 years ago)

  Columnist Greg Smith says many modern Christians have lost appreciation for the Old Testament. Pastors and teachers should encourage their congregations to remember that God is same yesterday, today and forever. Read More