DALLAS (ABP) — Randel Everett, who has headed a seminary and served as pastor of prominent churches in four states, is the nominee for the executive director position of the largest statewide Baptist convention. Baptist General Convention of Texas officials…
Former BGAV leader Ken McFarland Smith dies
ARLINGTON — Ken McFarlane Smith, former president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, died Jan. 20. Smith, an attorney and member of First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington, was BGAV president in 1977. He also has served as…
Baptist ministry assistants gather for certification
Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia (BMAV) will gather in Virginia Beach April 1-4 for professional certification and skillshops at the Quality Inn & Suites — Oceanfront. The theme for this conference is “Teaching by the Seaside” and is taken from…
Essay contest announced
RICHMOND — High school students are invited to enter the third annual Roots & Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The contest is open to all 11th and 12th grade high school…
EDITORIAL: Was the celebration a success?
I was asked by a friend at breakfast the morning after the New Baptist Covenant Celebration what three things stood out as having made the greatest impact. I thought back over the three-day meeting, and what follows are the three…
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Our pastor-search committee said they want to find a person of integrity. That is such a loose concept. Just what does integrity look like, so we can recognize it in candidates for our church? Your pastor-search committee will need depth,…
Mission Board to sponsor church and clergy tax seminars
RICHMOND — A number of unique rules apply to churches and “ministers for tax purposes.” To help church staff and church lay leaders understand and comply with the tax laws, a series of church and clergy tax seminars sponsored by…
Field personnel provide medical care to Bedouins
ATLANTA — When Tim Myrick walked to the hospital each morning, he said a short prayer — “Lord let me represent Jesus as clearly as possible.” The hospital, located in the desert of northern Jordan, serves tuberculosis patients from all…
Gaza church continues witness despite persecution
JERUSALEM — An anonymous Baptist source in Jerusalem pleads with Baptists across the world to pray fervently for the pastor and members of the Gaza Baptist Church. Hanna Masaad, the church's pastor, will outline the persecutions the church has endured…
SECOND OPINION: Race, sex, class and presidential politics
It was not until I got to Union Theological Seminary in New York as a doctoral student in Christian ethics that I received my first serious dose of race/class/sex talk. Sometimes it seemed like every course, even every class session,…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for January 24, 2008
RECOGNITON On Nov. 18 following a Thanksgiving meal, the members of McCabe Memorial Church in Martinsville honored one of its faithful members, Marietta Smith, with a presentation of a plaque for her devoted Christian service to its music ministry. McCabe's…
Virginia church property fight costs $2 million
RICHMOND (RNS) — The court battle over church assets between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and 11 breakaway congregations has already cost both sides more than $2 million, according to representatives. The secessionist Anglican District of Virginia has spent about…