A Little Book for New Theologians, Kelly Kapic (IVP) Decades ago, German theologian Helmut Thielicke wrote his wonderful A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. When I read it recently, I wished I’d had it before I went to seminary. I…
LETTER: BGAV is not a hierarchical organization
The Baptist General Association of Virginia is an association, not a hierarchy. There is no subset or division within the BGAV entrusted with the responsibility to make sure all theological actions or expressions of congregations comprising the association correspond to…
OPINION: ‘Looper’
While the trailer may lead you to believe you’ve seen this movie before, trust me — you haven’t. In fact, the director works very hard to weave a tale of time travel, crime and guns only to use that framework…
VITAL SIGNS: Holding your staff accountable
Previously, I suggested that the starting point for bringing health and effectiveness to a church’s ministerial staff is the critical work of clarifying mission, vision and purpose in the congregation. That clarity then becomes the “north star” for every decision,…
Searching for the real Martin Luther
DURHAM (RNS) — Protestants have traditionally celebrated Oct. 31 as the anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, a movement that divided Western Christendom and gave birth to such diverse religious groups as Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Mennonites. On…
At 20, congregational health center said to have ‘young muscles’ ready to take on heavier loads
WINSTON-SALEM — After two decades, the Center for Congregational Health has the young muscles of a 20-year-old adolescent and is well-positioned to take up the heavier loads of mature responsibilities, a top official at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center…
Searching for the real Martin Luther
DURHAM (RNS) — Protestants have traditionally celebrated Oct. 31 as the anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, a movement that divided Western Christendom and gave birth to such diverse religious groups as Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Mennonites. On…
LETTER: Ginter Park’s calling has not changed
Editor’s Note: The views below are those of two key leaders at Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond, who, in the absence of a pastor, have administrative and pastoral care responsibilities for the congregation. The two leaders have pointed out…
Richmond Baptist Association creates task force to study ordination of gay man by affiliated church
RICHMOND — A task force of the Richmond Baptist Association will study the recent ordination to the ministry of an openly gay man by one of its affiliated churches and recommend a response to the association by next spring. The…
LETTER: As Jesus said, love one another
I take my hat off to Ginter Park Baptist Church for openly ordaining the gay brother in Christ Jesus. Get over it, BGAV. Jesus loves his gay brothers and sisters. We all have sinful behavior. We don’t take time to…
OPINION: Good for the BGAV budget committee
I have briefly reviewed the revised Baptist General Association of Virginia 2013 proposed budget: good for the budget committee and good for BGAV leadership. Thank you for hearing the wails and cries of disappointment. And thanks for Woman’s Missionary Union…
HERITAGE: Finding a solution to funding ministry
“We are a small band of Baptists struggling to complete our little church and to build up our Baptist cause in this community. We are now painting our church and giving it the finishing requirements as far as we can….