The decline of mainline church membership over the last century had more to do with reproduction than theology, according to research by a trio of sociologists. The popular notion that conservative churches are growing because mainline churches are too liberal…
CBF Coordinating Council votes to add ‘Jesus’ to group’s constitution
National leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship voted Oct. 14 to restore explicit references to Jesus deleted from the group's constitution in July. A preamble to the constitution was approved by the CBF Coordinating Council with little discussion and no…
Church & People News for October 27, 2005
Staff Changes R. Drexel Rayford, to Walnut Grove Church, Mechanicsville, as pastor. Thomas Spizzirri, to Hebron Church, Drewyville, as pastor. Greg Anderson, to Belmont Church, Charlottesville, as pastor. Charles Young, to Cut Bank Church, McKenney, as pastor. Pat Taylor, resigning…
The dry Mr. Claybrook
Heritage Column for October 27, 2005 By Fred Anderson Richard Claybrook liked a hot toddy in the evening. He enjoyed sipping on a julep in the morning. Twice a day Richard Claybrook imbibed. On the Sabbath Richard Claybrook preached from…
What to look for in a retirement community
Another View for October 27, 2005 By Franklin T. Fowler Many senior adults are looking for, thinking of or planing for a retirement community home in their future. Some may be ready to move now, others are thinking of it,…
Re-examining capital punishment
Disaster relief update
The latest on Virginia Baptists' disaster relief ministries. • Hurricane Wilma: Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief teams are once more springing into action to assist victims of Hurricane Wilma in Florida. Our feeding unit that had been assigned to Slidell, La.,…
Empowered to serve
Cover story for October 27, 2005 For more than a month, Virginia Baptists have been among hundreds-maybe thousands-of volunteers from across the country who have made their way to the Gulf Coast to help victims of the two hurricanes that…
American Baptists cut staff, but ‘not collapsing,’ says general secretary
The American Baptist Churches USA is shutting down its communications department-the latest step in budget cuts and restructuring brought on by declining funds and theological division in the denominational group. Although the ABC national office is experiencing funding losses due…
Steeple remains seminary’s beacon of hope for devastated New Orleans
Visible from miles away, the steeple of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's chapel has always been a symbol of hope in the city of New Orleans. In 2002, when seminary administrators chose a new logo for the school, they chose…
Record 7.3 million meals provided to victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita
An all-time record has been reached-more than 7.3 million meals prepared to date for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita under the Southern Baptists' mammoth disaster relief effort across the Gulf Coast. Previously, the most meals prepared in a Southern…
Baptist Center sponsors first youth essay contest
Virginia Baptist youth are invited to enter a new essay contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The first “Roots & Wings: Young Scholars Essay Contest” carries a missions theme as 11th and 12th grade students learn…