How ironic that the recognition of baptismal rites that use less water would be considered “a watering down” of baptism and a church’s membership policy [“Opening up without watering down,” Herald, June 18]. It is also interesting to me that…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: No place for cursing prayers
After careful and prayerful consideration, I must take umbrage and exception to the article by Bob Allen of the Associated Baptist Press on page 18 of the June 18 edition of the Religious Herald, titled, “Former Southern Baptist Convention officer…
No longer Episcopalians, Anglicans launch own church
PLANO, Texas (RNS) — Conservative Anglicans disenchanted with the liberal drift in their U.S. and Canadian churches say they are confident that a new church body launched last week will one day gain a seat in the worldwide Anglican Communion….
Even at 500, Calvin isn’t slowing down
Like most 24-year-old men, Stephen Jones is keenly interested in sin. But while many of his peers enjoy their youthful indiscretions, Jones takes a more, shall we say, Puritanical stand. The weekend of June 12-15, Jones and 4,000 other young…
Major Baptist celebrations begin this week in Europe
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BWA) — The Baptist World Alliance and the European Baptist Federation have planned major activities July 24-Aug. 1 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist movement. The EBF, one of six regional fellowships…
Baptists support separation of church and state, but not all agree what it means
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists have, since their earliest days, been advocates of religious liberty and its corollary, the separation of church and state. But different groups of modern-day Baptists in the United States interpret church-state separation — and the Constitution’s…
On church-state issues, Obama brings new perspective, incremental policy change
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Americans who expected President Obama to make swift and dramatic changes from his predecessor on church-state relations may be disappointed. In his first few months in office, Obama has indicated only a handful of alterations to President…
Human rights offering helps Christians in Middle East plant house churches
FREMONT, Calif. (ABP) — She gets up early, traveling all day to teach Bible studies and lead worship services. She must remain unknown to keep the churches she works with safe. She does her work quietly, fearing persecution — or…
Oppressed believers view separation of church and state differently from underside
For many Baptists in the United States, the separation of church and state is no more than a historical concept or fodder for the culture wars. For Baptist minority groups in other countries, however, it can be a matter of…