I've been reading and listening to comments on the Religious Liberty Committee's resolution adopted by the Baptist General Association of Virginia [insert] with great interest. I’ve seen evidence for the different sides of the debates, but I have to admit…
Israeli leaders find common cause with American evangelicals
JERUSALEM (RNS) — When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Nov. 15 with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there…
Evangelical support for Israel at all-time high
JERUSALEM (RNS) — When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Nov. 15 with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there…
SBCV reduces budget, increases funds for Southern Baptist Convention
LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia approved two resolutions Nov. 8-9 calling for continued support of its Cooperative Program unified giving plan, as well as increased CP commitment from its churches. During its annual meeting, the…
EDITORIAL: Hard questions for hard times
We can all only hope that economic pundits who say we are experiencing a recovery know what they are talking about. For the present, however, times are tough all over. In presenting a budget to the messengers gathered last week…
Reggie McNeal tells Virginia Baptists to ‘get off their donkeys’
HAMPTON, Va. — In his final message to messengers and guests attending the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, Reggie McNeal told them to get off their donkeys. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan as his…
OUT LOUD
“Audiences are often smarter than they’re given credit for. And I think they’re often drawn to films that raise genuine questions about our lives that demand a real ponder.” Edward Norton The actor was speaking on the popularity of recent…
OPINION: Myths of separation of church and state
The United States of America is one of the most religious and certainly the most religiously diverse nation on the face of the earth. Despite our country’s religiosity, many of us were surprised by a recent poll widely reported in…
OPINION: Freedom and its fruit
When we were missionaries in Taiwan I remember being asked what the Bible is all about. What would you say the Bible is all about? I couldn’t use any religious vocabulary like salvation, redemption, sin, eschatology. In Mandarin there is…
OPINION: When Baptists actually come together
Walking around at the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting in Hampton I realized how fortunate I was to be a pastor in Virginia. I’m not from these parts but have traveled in the BGAV twice in my life now. …
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Sacred spaces and places
We begin with the profound question: Can we design a space with assurance that it will be perceived as a sacred place by those who experience it? Even more profound is this awesome yet humbling responsibility we have, as architects,…
HERITAGE: A lily for Dr. Taylor
For the past year I have been engrossed with researching and writing the life of George Braxton Taylor, who is best known in Baptist history for founding in 1886 the Sunbeams, the earliest organization to teach Baptist children about missions….