WASHINGTON (RNS) — In recent years, conservative Christians have emerged as some of the most vocal supporters of the state of Israel — support many Jewish groups have welcomed at a time when they feel Israel is under siege. One…
Delayed life choices demand new strategies, scholar insists
PRINCETON, N.J. (RNS) — As increasing numbers of young people postpone marriage and children, other life choices — like returning to church — are affected as well, according to a leading scholar of American Protestantism. As a result, Princeton Univer-sity's…
EDITORIAL: In crisis mode
I'm not crazy about the smell of burning wires. Especially at 30,000 feet. Recently on a flight segment from St. Louis to Cincinnati the distinctive odor of burning wires assaulted my olfactory senses. Wanting to believe it was my imagination…
A tribute to Upper Zion
Several weeks ago I had the privilege of taking a guided tour of the Upper Zion area of Fort A.P. Hill with my mother, Evlyn Upshaw, and her sister, Annie Purks. These two sisters wept as they shared memories of…
Greetings from India
Greetings to you in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We trust that this mail finds you all in good health and joy. By the grace of God and by your prayers we are doing well. We are…
New England celebration
This year, the Baptist Convention of New England is celebrating 50 years of Southern Baptist work in New England and 25 years as a constituted state convention. The celebration will culminate at our annual meeting on Nov. 13-15, in Marlboro,…
BGAV’s Caribbean partners begin ministry to ‘diaspora’
NEW YORK (ABP) — With a worship service March 30, a group of ministers officially launched a Baptist fellowship to minster to the Caribbean “diaspora” in English-speaking countries. The Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association kicked off its life with a…
Theologian urges greater sensitivity to suicide
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Churches can be a major factor in preventing suicide if they are willing to learn about the problem and reach out with compassion, said a theologian who specializes in pastoral care related to suicide. “People who…
Virginia author interprets Anne Frank in poem
CHESAPEAKE — One might wonder why a Christian woman in Virginia would feel compelled to write a book of poetry about a little European Jewish girl who died more than half a century earlier. “I've even had Jewish people ask…
‘Peace committee’ proposed for Missouri
REPUBLIC, Mo. (ABP) — As battles between conservatives continue to roil the Missouri Baptist Convention, one prominent layman in the state is proposing a miniature re-creation of the ill-fated Southern Baptist Convention “Peace Committee.” But the convention's president — cautioning…
What’s behind the Saudi monotheism summit?
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A group of visiting Japanese scholars was making a routine courtesy call recently on King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz when the monarch raised a subject that, as he put it, had “obsessed me since two years…
Pastor describes McCain as devout
PHOENIX (ABP) — John McCain has a deep and personal Christian commitment despite his reluctance to speak publicly about it, according to the man the presumptive GOP presidential nominee claims as his pastor. Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist…