RICHMOND — A team of clergy and laity from Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia churches have returned from a 10-day mission immersion experience in Macau to explore ways congregations can build bridges to China, a strategic nation where, despite rapid…
Keen financial grasp, strong relational skills are critical for next BGAV treasurer, say two leaders
RICHMOND — The next treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board will combine broad experience in financial management with an ability to communicate Virginia Baptists’ mission to congregations, BGAV partners and other denominational…
OPINION: A puzzling decision with difficult implications
It has been about three weeks now since the national leaders of the Boy Scouts made the somewhat unexpected decision to reverse a longstanding policy and allow openly-gay scouts to participate in the organization. In the wake of the Southern…
REFLECTIONS FROM NEW YORK: Christian partnership
Understanding the nature of relationships between Christian organizations and one another as well as with non-Christian organizations can often be a difficult task. This is particularly true within the Baptist context, in which each church can function independently from the…
REVIEW: Violence undercuts messianic overtones in “Man of Steel”
One of my greatest problems with the way that films are marketed is when a movie gets the “Christian” label. When a movie gets that tag attached, it just turns me off. My reason is simple: I think movies are…
Lutherans and Catholics bury the hatchet for Reformation’s 500th anniversary in 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Lutherans and Catholics have pledged to celebrate together the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017, with both sides agreeing to set aside centuries of hostility and prejudice. The Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation…
Lutherans, Catholics bury the hatchet
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Lutherans and Catholics have pledged to celebrate together the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017, with both sides agreeing to set aside centuries of hostility and prejudice. The Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation…
John Leland Center graduates second largest class in its history
ARLINGTON, Va. — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies graduated the second largest class in its history during commencement exercises earlier this month. At the Church at Clarendon in Arlington, Va., in which Leland is located, nine students earned…
In spite of declining attendance and increasing costs, leaders say annual meetings have a future
’Tis the season for Baptist annual meetings. But will declining numbers, the expense of gathering people for face-to-face encounters and rapid advances in technology soon mean the demise of the rite? Not necessarily and probably not anytime soon. Fellowship and…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Church governing documents: Are they necessary?
Baptists have always placed a high priority on starting new churches. As the new churches come into being, one of the questions they face is what kind of governing documents they need. In Baptist circles, four kinds of governing documents…
ANALYSIS: Some suggest unity at SBC meeting resulted from taking on cultural issues, not themselves
HOUSTON (ABP) — Southern Baptists experienced little antagonism during their annual convention in Houston last week — a phenomenon that surprised some and delighted most SBC officials and messengers. There were plenty of opportunities for controversy. Debates ensued — but…
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Accepted a new call? Been ordained? Church celebrating an anniversary? Mission trip or project that you would like highlighted on the HeraldBeat page? Send info to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at [email protected]. Transitions ON THE MOVE Joey Tucker, to Mount…