By Robert Dilday Two months after launching an organization aimed at enhancing the spiritual and organizational health of congregations, director Bill Wilson says the Center for Healthy Churches is poised to shape and engage an emerging “healthy church movement.” The…
IMB’s President Tom Elliff to step down
By Robert Dilday Tom Elliff announced Feb. 26 he will step down as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board after a newly-appointed search committee finds his successor. Elliff, a former missionary who was elected president three years…
Religious leaders oppose Ga. gun law in full-page newspaper ad
By Robert Dilday Nearly 200 interfaith religious leaders — including at least a dozen Baptists — took out a full-page ad in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Feb. 26 to oppose a bill in the Georgia legislature which would lift restrictions on…
Baptists in D.C. restructure for more ‘nimble’ response to mission
By Robert Dilday Baptists in the nation’s capital adopted a major restructuring of their organization Feb. 24, aiming for a more “nimble and efficient” method for carrying out their mission. Delegates from 44 of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention’s…
Virginia pastor takes key role on Fresh Expressions staff
By Robert Dilday The pastor of a multi-campus church in metropolitan Richmond announced Feb. 9 he is resigning to join the staff of Fresh Expressions US, a movement which aims to help churches engage postmodern culture by establishing new creative…
Court hears challenge to Virginia’s gay marriage ban
By Robert Dilday A closely-watched hearing last Tuesday in a federal court in Norfolk, Va., could ultimately overturn Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage — an outcome which would impact adjacent states and give same-sex marriage its first foothold in…
Ghana Baptists elect new executive president
By Robert Dilday Baptists in Ghana have inducted a pastor as their first executive president, the culmination of a five-year process of reorganizing the convention in the West African country. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, for 25 years senior pastor of Charismatic Baptist…
Oklahoma minister to assume pastorate of Knoxville, Tenn., church
By Robert Dilday A longtime mission leader and advocate of urban ministry will become pastor of First Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., on March 2, after almost a decade serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Tom…
Virginia Intermont seeks merger with Florida college, may retain Baptist ties
By Robert Dilday Virginia Intermont College, a 130-year-old institution in Bristol, Va., with ties to Virginia Baptists, has announced plans to seek merger this July with Webber International University, based in Babson Park, Fla. In a Jan. 31 press statement,…