Editor's Note: As Virginia Baptists move toward their annual meeting, Nov. 9-10 in Virginia Beach, and face a national election Nov. 7, it seemed to be a good time to remind us of who we are. A classic statement of…
The real Calvinism
Your recent editorial confusing evangelical Calvinism with the “straw man” of hyper-Calvinism [“Pewboy meets Calvin,” Sept. 28] reminded me of a letter Virginia Baptist John A. Broadus wrote to Kentucky Baptists' Western Recorder in 1891 after a European tour that…
The way the system works
I like the general idea of yours about what a good politician should be [“The ideal candidate,” Oct. 26], but the system doesn't work that way. Parties control who runs and how much money they will receive. Consequently, their loyalty…
Return to Straightstone
Last week this column shared some of the history of Straightstone Baptist Church in Pittsylvania County. When the church recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, Rolen C. Bailey, a former pastor, was among those who returned to Straightstone. He served as…
ANOTHER VIEW: As U.S. tops 300 million, what about the church?
The population of the United States soared past 300 million in October, with no signs of declining anytime soon. Only two other countries contain more than 300 million people: China and India, with more than 1 billion each. Like those…
ANOTHER VIEW: Forgive or die
Few recent tragedies have affected me as deeply as the horrific murders at the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pa. It seems that each day brings more mayhem in our blood-soaked country. But this one–this image of 10 little girls…
Cut into the darkness
The sun was setting in the west and the shadows were lengthening when this columnist headed out one Saturday on his way to a Sunday speaking engagement in the country. The destination was Straightstone Baptist Church in the northeast corner…
Dress casual
Last year in this space, I offered several good reasons why Virginia Baptists might enjoy attending the annual meeting dressed in casual attire, and it appeared as if many messengers made the transition to casual in Woodbridge last November. May…
Support Bluefield
We Baileys and Rackleys are proud to have had four generations attending Bluefield College. Dad, David L. Bailey Sr., began the journey in the 1920s; both of my brothers, David and Bob attended; I graduated in 1954. I currently have…
Letters for Dale
As many already know, Dr. Bob Dale has announced his intention to retire from full-time service with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board after 18 years of creative and faithful service. Colleagues and friends of Bob Dale are compiling a book…
MODELING CHURCH: Boston congregation working to be ‘green’
Members of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Boston, Mass., are striving to be green–when it comes to the environment, that is. And they're doing it with simple gestures like bringing their own coffee mugs to church, instead of using disposable…
Two associations partner in food ministry for Bland
Staunton River and Southside Baptist Associations have been partnering for the past twoyears to provide canned food to the Bland Ministry Center. As a unique aspect of this ministry, Charlie and Violet Brownlee members of Eureka Baptist Church in Keysville…