Dear Michelle: I'm probably supposed to call you something more important now that you'll soon be our country's first lady, but I'm not sure what I should call you exactly, and, anyway, we're not much for titles around here. I…
Obama narrows — but doesn’t close — the electoral ‘God gap’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Analysis of exit polls dissecting Barack Obama's historic presidential victory indicates the “God gap” dividing American politics remains in place, but Obama fashioned a victory by significantly narrowing it nearly everywhere — among those who worship frequently…
Whose birthday are we celebrating?
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It's time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do just…
American Baptist agency faces shortfall
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — The board of American Baptists' National Ministries met Nov. 12-13 to consider cuts to cover a $1 million gap between the organization's income and expenses. According to American Baptist News Service, National Ministries Executive…
Out Loud
“I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere — this is what I always pray — I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is. … And if…
Spirit-filled churches
In the Nov. 6 edition of the Religious Herald, an article attributed to ABP, written by Bob Allen, was entitled “Trinity debate trickles down to gender roles.” One paragraph reads, “In a June sermon .. Bruce Ware, professor of Christian…
BGAV resolutions affirm stewardship, pray for leaders
Resolution of Appreciation With praise and thanksgiving to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we have gathered, and to whose glory we consecrate our work together, We, the messengers to the 185th annual meeting of the Baptist…
Ministers likely to dismiss or deny needs of mentally ill, Baylor study reveals
WACO, Texas — With research consistently showing that clergy — not psychologists or other mental health experts — are the most common source of help sought in times of psychological distress, a recent Baylor University study has found ministers often…
Three decades later, memories of Jonestown tragedy linger
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In life, the 900 people who followed Jim Jones to build a utopian commune in the South American jungle in 1977 were relatively anonymous. But in death, the Jonestown pilgrims became front-page news when they died a…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for November 20, 2008
STAFF CHANGES • Mark Reon, to Jackson Memorial Church, Chesapeake, as pastor, effective Jan. 1. • Jamie Mann, to Nash's Chapel Church, Wise, as interim pastor. • Glen McCune, to Chamberlayne Church, Richmond, as minister of music. HYMN FESTIVAL“Joined Together…
FCC approves ‘white space’ technology; some churches worry about interference
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Federal Communications Commis-sion has decided to grant Google, Motorola, Dell and Microsoft permission to develop “white space” devices that some pastors worry will interfere with wireless microphones. The “white space” devices would use the same radio…
Atheists want probe of religion in military
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A na-tional atheist lobbying group is calling on President-elect Barack Obama to overhaul military policies in an effort to reduce what it sees as religious discrimination in the armed forces. The Secular Coalition for America has written…