NEW YORK (RNS)—The oft-cliched Christian notion of heaven—a blissful realm of harp-strumming angels—has remained a fixture of the faith for centuries. Even as arguments will go on as to who will or won’t be saved, surveys show that a vast…
Chuck Colson’s memorial steeped in prison themes
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Prison Fellowship founder and former Nixon aide Chuck Colson was memorialized May 16 at Washington National Cathedral in a service steeped in Scripture and prayers about prison and redemption. Colson, who died April 21 at the age of 80…
N.T. Wright asks: Have we gotten heaven all wrong?
NEW YORK (RNS)—The oft-cliched Christian notion of heaven—a blissful realm of harp-strumming angels—has remained a fixture of the faith for centuries. Even as arguments will go on as to who will or won’t be saved, surveys show that a vast…
Oldest African-American convention holds meeting
RICHMOND, Va.—Several hundred ministers and laypersons are in Richmond, Va., this week for the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, which is holding its 145th annual session May 14-17. Leonard Smith Leonard Smith, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist…
Documentary awards reflect successful faith and public policy engagement, say two Virginians
Awards recently given to two religious documentaries produced by the Baptist Center for Ethics reflect successful efforts to engage the public on important faith-based policy issues, say two Virginians who serve on the BCE’s board of directors. Gospel Without Borders…
VBMB’s executive committee approves funding for collegiate learning center, Eagle Eyrie projects
RICHMOND, Va.—In a regularly scheduled meeting May 8, the executive committee of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board approved a loan from the Baptist Extension Board to purchase a house adjacent to the Baptist student center at the University of Mary…
Bluefield College dedicates century-old quilt with ties to founding family who gave it 44 years ago
BLUEFIELD, Va.—While the hand-made quilt was a necessary commodity for warmth in every remote house in Appalachia in the early 1900s, it also served as a decorative piece or an expression of love or remembrance of a person, time or…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Deacons and the Lord’s Supper
Although Baptist churches are as different as the people who comprise them and practices will vary from church to church, in most Baptist churches the deacons are responsible for distributing the elements during the Lord’s Supper. Doctrinal considerations The term…
LEADERSHIP LINK: It will get better
It's that time of year. Bright-eyed and empowered seminary students are completing their last papers, picking up their caps and gowns and saying goodbye to the hallowed walls of their theological training institution. For many, their master’s degree in divinity…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Attracting a new generation of leaders in ministry
When I was growing up, Christian ministers were widely held in high esteem. Although a few Elmer Gantrys may have been in the mix, churches and communties generally received their ministers with respect and honor. As a result, many Christian…
TRENDING: The view from Europe of the U.S. church
What will the next 10 years of the North American church will look like? We’ve learned from people like Alan Hirsch and Philip Jenkins to look to the global South for megatrends, and to Western Europe for early indicators for…
OUT LOUD
“One of the big points of dialogue is ‘how will the mitre fit over my dreadlocks?’” Justin Duckworth The recently-appointed and unconventional Anglican bishop of Wellington, New Zealand, has dreadlocks and is usually seen around town in shorts and bare…