NEW YORK (RNS) — A new exhibit at New York’s Museum of Biblical Art makes one point clear and inescapable: Biblical narratives and imagery have been an underlining constant in the life of African-American Christians. From the days of slavery…
Bill in North Carolina Senate would permit elective Bible classes in public high schools
RALEIGH — Public high schools in North Carolina could offer elective Bible classes if a bill introduced in the state Senate Feb. 26 is adopted by the General Assembly. The bill by Republican Sen. Stan Bingham of Denton, N.C., would…
Mediation effort in Southside Virginia prayer lawsuit fails, returning case to district court
DANVILLE, Va. — Attempts to settle a legal conflict between a Southside Virginia county board of supervisors and the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia over Christian prayers at the beginning of supervisors’ meetings apparently failed Feb. 21, according to…
Missional strategist, church planter named first full-time coordinator of V3
RICHMOND — JR Woodward, a missiologist with more than 20 years of experience as a church planter and pastor, has been named first full-time coordinator of V3 Tribe, a missional church planting movement with ties to Virginia Baptists. Woodward, who…
Congregation targets human trafficking in Central Virginia community with Psalm 91 House
PALMYRA, Va. — While taking a hard look at the tragedy of human trafficking last fall, the Ladies Night ministry at Effort Baptist Church in Palmyra, Va., found the horrors of sexual slavery shocking. Though a global issue and one…
Helping churches find ‘closure’ after a pastor leaves is focus of training event
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Challenges facing intentional interim pastors as they help churches achieve “closure” during leadership transitions will be the focus of a March 4 event sponsored by the Virginia Network of Interim Ministers. “Cake and Coffee Is Not Enough!”,…
Building bridges among leaders will mark Laura McDaniel’s new role with Spence Network
RICHMOND, Va. — Though she’ll miss her nearly 10 years on the staff of Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia, Laura McDaniel says she’s eager to begin a new role “building bridges” among leaders in the Spence Network. “We will be…
Emancipation Proclamation’s 150th is impetus for essay contest aimed at high school students
RICHMOND — The 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation has inspired an essay contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Francis Bicknell Carpenter’s 1864 painting, First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons) “How…
In what she calls a ‘holy moment,’ minister’s father is first person she baptizes
VINTON, Va. — As Brittany Riddle stood in the baptismal waters at Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 30, she told the congregation that the last time she was in that baptistery was at 12 years of age…
CBF churches in D.C., Md. offer ‘great resources’ for larger CBF movement, says regional leader
BOWIE, Md. — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches in Maryland and the District of Columbia have significant human and financial resources to share with the national CBF movement and they need to “tap into that” to impact the organization, members of…
First woman pastor of church with Lottie Moon ties finds inspiration in historical connection
SCOTTSVILLE, Va. — Scottsville Baptist Church, a Virginia congregation closely associated with iconic Baptist missionary Lottie Moon, called its first woman pastor — Katie McKown — last fall, continuing a long tradition of female leadership in the church. The church,…
To fill positions on BGAV’s committees and affiliated governing boards, committee asks for help
RICHMOND, Va. — Suggestions to fill positions on the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s standing committees and on governing boards of some affiliated organizations are being sought by the BGAV’s committee on boards and committees. The committee is seeking names…