MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) – A judge has blocked development of property owned by Alabama Baptists, finding that an agreement allowing a neighboring homeowners' association to sign off on any site plan is still in force. That Alabama Baptist State Convention…
Study finds large churches can do better at retaining members
HARTFORD, Conn. — Large congregations are more likely than small churches to emphasize evangelism and recruitment of new members but significantly less likely to contact members who stop attending, according to a recent study. A little more than half of…
Why do people leave churches?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Many churches and denominations put a lot of effort into attracting new members only to lose many of them through a “back door”—a term used to describe people who regularly attended a church in the past…
‘Unchurched’ studies seek to understand why people leave
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Seeking to develop strategies to prevent formerly active members from leaving through the so-called “back door,” LifeWay Research has conducted surveys to better understand why people leave. “I think we have a lot of strategies for…
Pastor calls for church unity following arrest of associate pastor
GREENWOOD, S.C. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist pastor in South Carolina urged his congregation not to rush to judgment following the Oct. 26 arrest of its associate pastor/minister of music on charges of committing a lewd act upon a 13-year-old…
California appeals court strikes down Wiley Drake’s ‘birther’ case
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (ABP) — A state appellate court in California has dismissed a lawsuit filed by plaintiffs including a former Southern Baptist Convention officer claiming that Barack Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and therefore is…
Missouri Baptists change college’s name
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention renamed Hannibal-LaGrange College Oct. 26 to Hannibal-LaGrange University after alumni campaigned to retain the "LaGrange" part of the moniker. Messengers to the convention's annual meeting, gathering in Springfield, voted 593-360 to amend a motion…
BGAV REPORTS: Nominations to the Committee on Boards and Committees
These nominations are made by the president and two vice presidents of the General Association. Terms to expire 2013 Emily Carlton (L) Spring Hill Church, Ruckersville Ruth Guill (L) Huguenot Road Church, Richmond Drexel Rayford (M) Walnut Grove Church, Mechanicsville
BGAV REPORTS: Committee on Boards and Committees
The committee on Boards and Committees is tasked with the wonderful responsibility of bringing to the Baptist General Association of Virginia a slate of nominees, committed to Christ and Kingdom Advance, to serve on the boards of partnering agencies, schools,…
BGAV REPORTS: Program Committee
The Program Committee is responsible for preparing the order of business for the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and assuring that worship is emphasized during the meeting. The Committee has chosen the theme, “A Story Worth…
New breakout sessions added during BGAV meeting
New breakout sessions during the annual BGAV meeting have been added to those announced earlier and two sessions have been rescheduled. NEW: Panama Partnership, Session #1, 2-3 p.m., Room 203 Panamanian Baptists invite Virginia Baptists to join them in projects…
BGAV REPORTS: Recommendations from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board
Recommendation I 2012 Special Observances and Emphases January 1: Collegiate Ministries Emphasis Day January 15: Sanctity of Human Life Sunday February 12-19: WMU Focus Week February 19: Virginia Baptist Colleges and Schools Day April 8: Cooperative Missions/Cooperative Program Day May…