Wednesday, September 16, 2015

• 'Prayer wave' stirring for Rugby World Cup

  by Samantha Conners, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  LONDON (BP) -- The roar of the crowd, the sound of men crashing into one another as they fight for the ball, the cheers and jeers of fans as teams score -- it's time for Rugby World Cup 2015. And churches in England are asking for prayer as they prepare to share the Gospel with hundreds of thousands of rugby spectators.

  From Sept. 18 to Oct. 31, 11 cities across England and Wales will host 48 tournament matches played by 20 teams from around the world. Team USA opposes Samoa in their first match on Sept. 20, followed by matches against ... Read More

• MOVIES: I almost didn't see these films

  by Phil Boatwright, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- Movie reviewer Phil Boatwright lists five movies he wasn't inclined to see, but is glad he did. "Certainly, there is a plethora of films containing little or no redeeming value," he writes, "but let's not discount the cinematic treasures that overflow with spiritually rewarding messages." Read More

• Church revitalization, change addressed at conf.

  by Lonnie Wilkey and Connie Bushey/Baptist & Reflector, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Photo submitted by Baptist & Reflector

  HERMITAGE, Tenn. (BP) -- Church revitalization requires change.

  Though it was said in different ways, that was the general theme echoed several times during the Church Revitalization Conference: Giving Hope for Change, held at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Hermitage, Tenn.

  The conference, which included messages and breakout sessions on different aspects of church revitalization was sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist ... Read More

• Pope's abortion absolution 'disconnected' from Gospel

  by Erin Roach, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Creative Commons: presidencia.gov.ar

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pope Francis has extended to priests worldwide the authority to offer absolution for the sin of abortion during the Catholic Church's "Holy Year of Mercy," which begins Dec. 8 and runs through Nov. 20 of next year.

  Most priests in the United States already have such authority, but in other nations they must seek permission from bishops, a formal process that has led to frustration among those seeking absolution. Under Roman Catholic canon law, abortion brings automatic excommunication unless the person who has had an abortion or ... Read More

• Revitalization effort transforms dying Tenn. church

  by Connie Davis Bushey/Baptist & Reflector, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Photo submitted by Baptist & Reflector

  HERMITAGE, Tenn. (BP) -- "This is a story of coming from dying to being healthy again," said Bill Blair at the Church Revitalization Conference: Giving Hope for Change of his journey.

  Blair was referring to his experience with revitalization as pastor of Mill Creek Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn. The conference was held Aug. 31-Sept.1 at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church by the Tennessee Baptist Convention in partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources and Nashville Baptist Association. Read More

• Baptists among 'top 75 religion bloggers'

  by David Roach, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- At least 10 Southern Baptists are included on Newsmax's list of the "top 75 religion bloggers" in America.

  "The Southern Baptist leaders who blog regularly have built influence, specifically in the niches they address," social media expert Marty Duren told Baptist Press in written comments. "When compared to peers ... I think our leaders who have engaged are doing very well." Read More

• Abedini prayer vigils set globally 9/26

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Facebook photo

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- The wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini is on a 21-day "Daniel" fast and is organizing prayer vigils internationally Sept. 26, the third anniversary of her husband's imprisonment in Iran for his Christian faith.

  Naghmeh Abedini, in asking Christians to pray for her husband and the persecuted church, also is promoting a letter-writing campaign to ask United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to advocate for Abedini's release when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks Sept. 28 at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Read More