RICHMOND, Va. — When war erupted between Russia and Georgia in 2008, repercussions included more than the 2,000 deaths and tens of thousands of refugees attributed to the conflict. Casualities also included relations between the two countries’ Baptist fellowships, torn…
OUT LOUD
“Your prayers should complement, not compete with, proper medical care.” Jeffrey S. Jones The Clackamas County (Ore.) circuit judge was addressing two members of an Oregon City faith-healing church as he sentenced them to 90 days in jail for failing…
VITAL SIGNS: Are you closed?
A friend recently shared with me an interesting story. When his church decided to replace its sign out front, it meant that the old one had to come down. For about a week, there was no sign in front of…
OPINION: CBF’s next 20 years — A divinity student’s view
“College is where you learn that you have a particular past and that it doesn’t have to dictate your future.” These words, spoken by Bill Leonard during his baccalaureate address to graduates of Wake Forest University in the spring of…
Does the Star-Spangled Banner belong in the church sanctuary?
Christians should express love for country, experts on the intersection of Christianity and public life agree, but they advise caution in how churches demonstrate patriotism in worship settings. Patriotic music, flag displays, recognition of veterans’ sacrifice and reminders of “those…
Civil religion: lowest common denominator or common ground?
Some Baptists see civil religion as bland at best and idolatrous at worst. But others view broadly shared values of liberty, justice and acknowledgement of God’s providential care as a common ground Christians share with a majority of their fellow…
Baptists should understand, teach church-state separation
Because of their historic commitment to religious liberty and separation of church and state, Baptists have a responsibility to educate their fellow citizens what those concepts mean, church historian Jim Spivey said. “Separation of church from state does not mean…
‘Baptist’ comes first for Seventh Day Baptists
JANESVILLE, Wis. (ABP) — Are Christians wrong to worship on Sunday when the biblical Sabbath is Saturday? Rob Appel, executive director of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference answers with a question of his own: “What day did Christ go…
Summit offers ideas, networking to fight poverty
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Missouri's poverty rate stands at 15.5 percent, with the rate among children under 18 at 18.9 percent. Individuals and groups, including churches, are partnering to help lower those numbers. Missourians to End Poverty — a…
CBF of North Carolina presents $100k to Global Missions Offering
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s meeting at the national CBF General Assembly June 23 was highlighted by a presentation of a $100,000 check to CBF missions coordinator Rob Nash and the announcement that North…
CBF of North Carolina presents $100k to Global Missions Offering
TAMPA, Fla. — After its assembly in March the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina challenged members to support the national CBF Global Mission Offering. As an incentive and in appreciation for church support of its own budget, CBFNC offered…
Mid-Atlantic CBF moves toward ‘collaborative mission’
TAMPA, Fla. — Representatives of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of the Mid-Atlantic concurred June 23 that the movement’s future in the multi-state region lies not what in the Fellowship can do for them, but what they can do together to…