The Christian Century

About 30 Southern Baptist conservatives from diverse backgrounds are repenting of the triumphalism, arrogance and isolationism they say threatens the integrity of the 16-million-member denomination.

In a quickly organized meeting, leaders of Baptist conventions and networks comprising more than 20 million adherents in North America explored “additional opportunities for fellowship and cooperation” on April 10 in Atlanta.

Pioneer southern ethicist Foy Valentine, who embraced civil rights long before many fellow Southern Baptists did, died January 7 of an apparent heart attack in Dallas at the age of 82.

Mercer University and the Georgia Baptist Convention have agreed to terms that will end their 172-year-old relationship. The convention will end funding of the school after 2007, and Mercer will get control of trustee elections and all assets, including a $19.6 million endowment.

The U.S. Senate has defied President Bush, voting overwhelmingly to amend a Pentagon spending bill to ban “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” of anyone in U.S. military custody. The amendment passed October 5 on a 90-9 vote. All nine who opposed it are Republicans.

Although churches are frequently viewed as behind the times, a new study shows that Protestant congregations are quickly embracing new technologies.

According to the Barna Group survey, since 2000 many congregations in various regional, denominational and sociological categories have embraced the Internet, videography and other high-tech methods of carrying out their ministries.

Iraqis will vote October 15 on a proposal for a permanent constitution that many Sunni Muslim leaders, other religious minorities and secularists find deeply troubling.