Churches all across the Old Dominion are facing some difficult decisions. As the impact of an economy in full recession begins to affect financial decisions, churches are understandably cautious. In many cases, churches already feeling the financial pinch are facing…
SECOND OPINION: A new Virginia Statute?
Editor's note: When Thomas Jefferson penned the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, he recognized that future legislators would have the power to amend it. Toward that end, he added a warning: “If any act shall be hereafter passed to repeal…
Study: Religious people more generous, helpful — but only with two conditions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Reli-gious people are more helpful and generous than others — but only on two conditions, according to a new study published in the prestigious journal Science. University of British Columbia psychology researchers Ara Noren-zayan and Azim Shariff…
Report calls U.S. church giving ‘lukewarm’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Amer-icans spent nearly twice as much on first-day sales of the video game “Grand Theft Auto IV” as the Southern Baptist Convention and its International Mission Board would need to share the gospel with all the world's…
Churches try to meet need of developmentally challenged kids
DAMASCUS, Md. (RNS) — On Sunday mornings at Damascus Road Community Church, when most children are dismissed from the sanctuary for Sunday school, another set of children and adults head to “The Haven.” Up to four dozen people gather in…
FAITH DIGEST
AFA says it's OK to order a Big Mac. The American Family Association has dropped its boycott of McDonald's after learning a representative of the restaurant chain no longer serves on the board of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber…
Baptism still Baptists’ symbol but ‘problems’ must be answered
WACO, Texas (ABP) — After four centuries, believers baptism remains the symbol of Baptist identity, historian Bill Leonard stressed during a lecture series at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. But in the 21st century, Baptists must respond to…
SBC seminary professor calls birth control ‘sin’
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary professor has sparked controversy with a recent sermon labeling use of birth-control pills a sin. Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications and associate professor of systematic theology at…
IMB encourages background checks for short-termers
RICHMOND (RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board has requested that participants in its short-term mission trips pass background checks before leaving for the field. The new child protection policy, which is not mandatory and would not apply…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for October 30, 2008
STAFF CHANGES MISSIONS MOMENT An 8-member team from Walnut Hills Church, Williamsburg, traveled to Odessa, Ukraine, Sept. 23-Oct. 3 to meet with Pastor Igor Bandura and the congregation of Grace Baptist Church. The trip focused on ways the two churches…
BGAV REPORTS: Program Committee
The Program Committee is responsible for preparing the order of business for the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and assuring that worship is emphasized during the meeting. In response to the changing demographics of our communities,…
BGAV REPORTS: Committee on Boards and Committees
The committee on boards and committees is assigned the mission of bringing to the association nominees for boards of partnering agencies, schools, institutions, and for the standing committees of the association. We are guided in this task by two concerns….