RICHMOND — Virginia Baptist churches which are struggling with financial shortfalls may once more find some relief as a result of a new policy adopted in February by the Baptist Extension Board. The Extension Board has made an additional $100,000…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Kevin Kelly, now serving as pastor of River Shore Church, Portsmouth. • Randal Walton, to Amherst Church, Amherst, as interim pastor. • Jimmie Miles, to Mount Vernon Church, Glen Allen, as consultant for discipleship and education. •…
Chowan University hosts ‘SeniorFest’; BGAV’s Upton is featured speaker
MURFREESBORO, N.C. — Chowan University will host its fourth annual SeniorFest March 25 with special guest speakers, live music, informative breakout sessions, a buffet lunch and door prizes. This year, the popular senior adult-oriented event hosted by the Baptist-affiliated school…
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Build now!
Oh my goodness! Nine months ago we covered this urgent topic when the Religious Herald published a feature story emphasizing the unprecedented reasons why a church should build now! Well, if we thought June 2009 was appropriate for such a…
At Carter’s church, former president’s Sunday school class still a draw
PLAINS, Ga. (RNS) — With its aging storefronts and small train depot, its graceful pecan trees and clipped fields of peanuts, cottons and hay, peace still seems possible in this tiny town. And nowhere is that peace protected more fiercely…
OUT LOUD
“God is in charge. There are some people who say, ‘Oh, you know, Pawlenty, don’t bring that up. You know, it’s politically incorrect.’ Hogwash.” Gov. Tim Pawlenty The Republican governor of Minnesota, a possible presidential candidate in 2012, was speaking…
Artist paints Jesus at center of American history and public life
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For centuries, Jesus has been a subject of choice for countless artists. But it’s fair to say that seldom has he been depicted quite like this. In artist Jon McNaughton’s “One Nation Under God,” Jesus stands front…
EDITORIAL: Seeing through Kingdom eyes
In researching for this issue of the Religious Herald, I was impressed again with Virginia Baptists. Pastor Gregory Loewer was willing to sacrifice his career, if necessary, to lead his church to face a glorious end and to live again…
BGAV’s 2009 church gifts are listed
A detailed summary of Cooperative Mission gifts from churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia through the BGAV’s treasurer’s office for the period Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2009 is available by clicking this link. Questions about the report may…
HERITAGE: Return to Pamplin
Elon stands with twin white towers and columned portico shaded by giant trees. The interior looks like a jewel box with its beautiful stained-glass windows and gold carpeting. Last October the church celebrated its 150th anniversary and on the big…
VITAL SIGNS: Facing the raging blizzard
Why a regular column about healthy churches and healthy ministers? Some would argue that such a thing doesn’t exist. For far too many clergy and laity alike, healthy is not the word they use to describe their life in a…
Congregational turnarounds depend on staff leadership, says Baucom
Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist in Falls Church, has seen three congregations under his leadership experience renewal. “I think it should be said that growing a church to relevance and vitality from near-death is an extremely rare incidence that…