HAMPTON, Va. — Virginia Baptists prepared for their future Nov. 9-10 by affirming a proposal to expand their local, national and international relationships, while at the same time adopting a dramatically reduced budget to fund their ministries. At its annual…
The ‘new monasticism’
GRESHAM, Ore. (RNS) — In the two years since David Knepprath and Josh Guisinger moved into the rough-and-tumble Barberry Village complex, about a dozen young Christian men and women have made Barberry Village their home. Their goal: Create a sense…
OPINION: The Bible isn’t the only place one finds interpretation
This past week, the 187th annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia was held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Among items to be discussed and voted on, a resolution from the BGAV’s religious liberty committee was brought…
RIGHT or WRONG? Civil rights and immigration
What lessons from the Civil Rights Movement can and should be applied to the recent Arizona immigration law, as well as any larger American debate over immigration? The most common item mentioned since this law was passed is “racial profiling”…
‘Truth commission’ urges change in conscientious-objector status
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A coalition of more than 60 religious, veterans, academic and advocacy groups called on the United States military Nov. 10 to extend conscientious-objector status to soldiers who believe a specific war is immoral. The Baptist Peace Fellowship of…
Va. Baptists decry ‘revisionist’ history
HAMPTON, Va. (ABP) — In their annual meeting Nov. 9-10, messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia elected a Richmond layman as their president and adopted a resolution decrying versions of American history that minimize or deny the role…
VITAL SIGNS: Things Jesus never said
There are some things you will just never hear. Ever seen those lists? "Next on Jerry Springer, Two happily married couples with their normal children.” Sorry, that’s just not going to happen. Or maybe you've seen the list of comments…
BGAV elects Richmond layman as president, two pastors as VPs
HAMPTON, Va. — Bob Bass, a retired Richmond, Va., construction executive, was elected president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Nov. 10. Bob Bass Bass, a member of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond who has been serving as…
BGAV resolutions address immigration reform, privatization of alcohol sales
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists have urged the U.S. Congress to resolve the country’s immigration crisis and have rejected proposals by their own state government to privatize its Alcohol Beverage Control commission. The two resolutions were among four adopted Nov….
Mohler’s rejection of evolution criticized for harming witness
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — A member of a group dedicated to fostering dialogue between faith and science claims that a Southern Baptist leader's pronouncements that evolution and Christianity are incompatible undermine evangelical witness to the scientific community. Mark Sprinkle Mark…
Virginia Baptists decry ‘revisionist’ views of American history
HAMPTON, Va. (ABP) — After lively debate Nov. 9, Virginia Baptists adopted a resolution decrying versions of American history that minimize or deny the role of church-state separation and encouraging diligence in correcting mistaken historical accounts. The resolution, presented in…
Central Seminary announces $1.7 million in gifts
SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kan., announced Nov. 8 two foundation gifts totaling $1.7 million. The Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation pledged $1.1 million for general expenses, while an unnamed Kansas City foundation awarded…