Baptists have not always agreed among themselves on doctrinal or ethical issues, but they have had some common beliefs that they have defended and on which they have been united. When one of these is challenged or rejected, the Baptist…
ANALYSIS: Should Baptist churches adopt open membership? Yes.
The Baptist movement began 400 years ago with the self-baptism of John Smyth, but the roots of immersion lie beyond that first gathered community whose mode was affusion, or pouring. Edward Barber was probably the first to embrace believer’s baptism…
ANALYSIS: Baptism — essential sacrament or symbolic ordinance?
One of the distinguishing marks of the people of God called Baptists, across our 400 years of witness, has been our strong affirmation of believer’s baptism, which is rooted in our high view of Christ’s authority in Scripture. When Jesus…
Let ’em ring: Federal court says church bells are legal religious expression
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal court on April 19 ruled an ordinance in Phoenix, Ariz., trying to limit the sound of church bells is an unconstitutional impingement on religious expression. In 2007, one day after Christ the King Cathedral moved…
FAITH DIGEST
British army “targeting” mosques? Muslims in England are demanding the British army apologize for using apparent replicas of mosques for target practice on a firing range. The Bradford Council for Mosques, whose area is populated heavily by Muslims, claims the…
African-American churches see a revival of cooperation
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In Chicago, black Baptists announced they would raise $50 million for health clinics, schools and reconstructed churches in earthquake-devastated Haiti. In South Carolina, three black Methodist denominations launched a plan to host Saturday academies nationwide to mentor…
RIGHT or WRONG? Water as a weapon
James Workman has written a book, Heart of Dryness: How the Last Bushmen Can Help Us Endure the Coming Age of Permanent Drought. Is this another example of the paradoxical nature of simplified living, only applied on a global scale?…
Hundreds gather to remember Cecil Sherman
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Friends and family members of Cecil Sherman filled the spacious sanctuary of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Va., April 20 to celebrate his life in the first of two scheduled memorial services. “We seem to…
Soulforce Q visit to SBU described as ‘gentle,’ ‘spiritually violent’
BOLIVAR, Mo. (ABP) — Characterizations of the Soulforce Q Equality Ride stop at Southwest Baptist University April 14 ranged from “gentle” to “spiritually violent,” depending upon the person asked. Most years since 2006, Soulforce Q, the young adult division of Soulforce,…
Obama visit could interrupt traffic to Cecil Sherman’s funeral
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) – Persons traveling to attend Friday’s memorial service in Asheville, N.C., for former Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinator Cecil Sherman are advised to anticipate travel delays due to an unexpected visit to the city by President Obama. Guy…
Hundreds gather to remember Cecil Sherman in Richmond memorial service
RICHMOND, Va. — Friends and family members of Cecil Edwin Sherman filled the spacious sanctuary of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Va., April 20 to celebrate his life in the first of two scheduled memorial services. Michael Clingenpeel, pastor…
Memorial services for Cecil Sherman to be webcast
ATLANTA (ABP) – Two memorial services for Cecil Sherman, founding coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, who died April 17 after suffering a massive heart attack, will be webcast live this week. Services scheduled Tuesday, April 20, at River Road…