NEW YORK (ABP) — ABC's primetime news magazine "20/20" program is airing an updated story July 9 about a former Baptist pastor from Texas convicted of murdering his wife and trying to make it look like a suicide. The program…
Westboro Baptist Church claims military funeral protests are protected by the First Amendment
TOPEKA, Kan. (ABP) — A fundamentalist Baptist church known for picketing funerals of fallen soldiers argued in a U.S. Supreme Court brief filed July 7 that its actions are protected by the Constitution. Margie Phelps — attorney of record for…
Comprehensive immigration reform boasts broad array of Baptist backers
WASHINGTON (ABP) — As the immigration debate is re-stoked by legislation before Congress and the controversial anti-illegal-immigrant law Arizona recently passed, an unusually broad array of Baptist leaders and groups is backing comprehensive immigration reform. President Obama delivers a July…
Mormon influence, imagery run deep through ‘Twilight’
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Ever since Bram Stoker’s Dracula began haunting the imagination in 1897, popular culture has identified Christian symbols — crucifixes, holy water, Communion wafers — as weapons to ward off a blood-thirsty vampire. Kristen Stewart (Bella) and…
Mormon imagery seen in ‘Twilight’
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Ever since Bram Stoker’s Dracula began haunting the imagination in 1897, popular culture has identified Christian symbols — crucifixes, holy water, Communion wafers — as weapons to ward off a blood-thirsty vampire. Kristen Stewart (Bella) and…
Invitation strikes sour note for Christian music festival
OSHKOSH, Wis. (ABP) — A five-day Christian music festival that kicked off July 7 in Wisconsin is being criticized for inviting progressive evangelical activist Jim Wallis to speak. At least one sponsor has pulled out of Lifest — an annual…
Jim Wallis invitation stirs controversy for Christian music festival
OSHKOSH, Wis. (ABP) — The organizers of a five-day Christian music festival that kicks off July 7 in Wisconsin are being criticized by some conservatives for inviting progressive evangelical activist Jim Wallis to speak. Jim Wallis At least one sponsor…
OUT LOUD
“It was easily a rock concert. The only thing missing was ‘Free Bird’ and us holding up our lighters.” Scott Thumma Thumma, a professor at Hartford Seminary who studies megachurches, was recalling a visit to a youth service at a…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Ready for a name change
Thank you for your excellent editorial in the Herald of May 27, “Is it time for a name change?” The problem for Southern Baptists is that we have been, or we think we have been, a majority with great power…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Selfish church members
I just read the article by Bill Wilson entitled “Seven things church members wish their ministers knew, but are afraid to tell them” [Herald, May 27]. Most of the comments seemed to have come from self-centered Christians. I see that…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Daniel “Dan” B. Cromer, to Emmaus Church, Poquoson, as pastor. • Greg McCormick, to Woodland Church, Arrington, as pastor, effective June 20. • Dennis Joyner, to Reedy Creek Church, Freeman, as pastor. • Robert Lewis, resigning as…
ASK THE ARCHITECT: We’re ready to build! How do we go about it?
So you’re ready to build? Ah, now the fun begins! You have already recognized the need to build, formed the building committee and even selected a few subcommittees. And you have appointed that all-important prayer committee to undergird your journey. It…