Churches advised to begin by assessing risks
Concerned about developing a church security plan? Security expert Chester Quarles suggests starting with a risk assessment.
2011 Archives
Safe and secure from all alarm
By definition, a "sanctuary" should be a place of refuge and protection where people feel welcome and feel safe. In practice, churches struggle with what it means to open their doors to everyone while providing a sense of security for people inside their
Fred Shuttlesworth, civil rights pioneer, dies at 89
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – Fred Shuttlesworth, the last of the “Big Three” of the civil rights movement with Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King, died Oct. 5. He was 89.
Baptist peace group urges prayer for Liberian elections
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) – A Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America delegation just back from two weeks conducting training in conflict transformation and non-violence with Liberian pastors and leaders is calling on Christians everywhere to join in prayer and fasting for upcoming national elections.
Supreme Court hears arguments in important church-state case
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Oct. 5 in a closely watched case involving a church’s right to hire or fire ministers for reasons like religious doctrine that in other settings would be job discrimination.
Stover pastor acquitted on molestation count
A Missouri Baptist minister has been acquitted in a child molestation charge heard in Miller County Sept. 18. The yearlong case ended after jurors deliberated for less than an hour.
High court says World Vision can hire only Christians
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a lower-court ruling that the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision can fire employees over religious doctrine.
Former preacher sentenced for incest
ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) – A former Louisiana Baptist preacher was sentenced to 25 years in prison Oct. 3 for sexual abuse of a young female relative.
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Obama’s eligibility
WASHINGTON (ABP) – The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Barack Obama’s eligibility to serve as president Oct. 3.
Professor says Adam’s sin was failure to lead
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) – A Southern Baptist seminary professor said at a recent conference that Adam’s sin was in listening to his wife.