(RNS) A global conference of about 300 interfaith leaders concluded July 18 in Spain with a declaration that rejects terrorism and calls for a special United Nations session on dialogue. Calling terrorism “one of the most serious obstacles confronting dialogue…
Obama, McCain’s first joint appearance set for Warren’s Saddleback Church
LAKE FOREST, Calif. (ABP) — Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint 2008 campaign appearance to an audience of Christian activists at a Southern Baptist church. The two have agreed to participate in a “compassion forum” at…
The Gospel According to ‘the Boss’
BOSTON (RNS) — To millions of fans, he's “the Boss,” the blue-jeaned troubadour of the American heartland who finds nobility in the grind of daily life. Across 35 years in dozens of rock anthems, from Born to Run to Glory…
FAITHSHAPERS: Tricky Topics: Prayer
Our daughter Abby is starting to scare us. We thought she would unquestioningly believe everything we told her for several more years, but no such luck. She learned to thank God for things as we say our prayers at bed…
Thanks for the bees
One of the last places I expected to find an article about the demise of the honeybee was the Religious Herald [“To bee or not to bee,” Herald, July 24]. But it was a pleasant surprise! And I think the…
Fredericksburg’s ‘non-sectarian’ prayers upheld
FREDERICKSBURG (ABP) — Sandra Day O'Connor has had her say again on an important church-state decision, in this case saying a Virginia city council's practice of offering non-sectarian prayers does not violate the United States Constitution. The retired U.S. Supreme…
Athlete Strait seeks to set straight-and-narrow example
JACKSON, Tenn. — Cody Strait has traded red for blue, but his message is still about white — as in Christian purity. After four years with the Cincinnati Reds organization, Strait, from Sour Lake, was traded to the Kansas City…
Virginia Baptist Homes offers additional choices
RICHMOND — With the trend toward consumers wanting more choices and with the widespread availability of long-term care insurance, Virginia Baptist Homes has added a second pricing option, offering flexibility and choice. The fee-for-services option has recently become available at…
Lyons to direct Culpeper home
CULPEPER — Josh Lyons was recently named executive director of Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community. Prior to joining the staff of CBRC, Lyons served on the management team at The Chesapeake, CBRC's sister community in Newport News. Lyons is a graduate…
Baylor President John Lilley removed for failure to ‘unite Baylor family’
GRAPEVINE, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University President John Lilley has been fired for failing to “bring the Baylor family together,” reported Howard Batson, chairman of the university's board of regents. Regents voted to remove Lilley from office, effective immediately, during…
OUT LOUD
“Closing a church leaves the feeling, for some of us anyway, that we have failed in the legacy entrusted to us. But creating a means to train candidates for the pastorate somehow lessens the feelings of failure and provides a…
Separate identity key to softening hurt for ministers’ spouses
“What are we going to do?” the young pastor's wife drew her infant closer. The baby was only a week old when some members of the church the couple served suggested the young man resign or they would lead the…