AUBURN, Ala. (RNS) — Setting up on the grassy area outside their dorm, grilling burgers and distributing drinks, the young men known as College Kids Tailgate are like scores of other Auburn students on game day — full of good…
SECOND OPINION: Is the Emerging Church threat or ally?
The tsunami of change that struck the Western world in the 20th century permanently altered the cultural landscape. The Emerging Church (EC) addresses this postmodern context. Most Baptists will have to jettison some modernist baggage to stay afloat in the…
German court rules against Sunday shopping, cites ‘day of rest’
BERLIN (RNS) — Constitutional provisions that declare Sunday a day of rest mean German merchants will have to significantly rein in the number of days they are open for business, Germany’s highest court ruled Dec. 1. The ruling was prompted…
D.C. set to become 6th jurisdiction in U.S. with legal same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The District of Columbia Council voted overwhelmingly — and despite vocal protests from a coalition of conservative evangelicals and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington — to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital Dec. 15. Anthony…
National race track chaplaincy group to relocate to Kentucky
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) — A national chaplaincy group that ministers to the horse-racing community is moving from California to Kentucky at the beginning of 2010. Race Track Chaplaincy of America Executive Director Enrique Torres (center right) shakes hands with Georgetown…
CBF leader says ministry-exellence training can boost clergy’s image
ATLANTA (ABP) — A moderate Baptist leader says a recent poll showing public confidence in clergy at a three-decade low should be a wakeup call for the importance of maintaining excellence in ministry. "In a culture that qualifies success as…
Constitutionality of Christian prison planned in Oklahoma disputed
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A church-state watchdog group maintains a Christian prison proposed in Oklahoma probably would be unconstitutional. But the Baptist minister who hopes to open the nation’s first faith-based prison says he is confident it will pass constitutional muster….
Bluefield celebrates annual Baptist Heritage Day
BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College celebrated its history with an annual Baptist Heritage Day ceremony on campus in October, featuring a keynote address from an authority on Baptist life — James M. Dunn, former executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee…
Strengthened family ties break cycle of criminal behavior
Ministry to inmates’ children and spouses can help keep families together through incarceration and after release. Generally, offenders are placed in prisons away from home — often across the state or even in another state. Reed Hanna of St. Louis…
Coming in January: Ask the Architect
Beginning with our first issue in January, Richmond architect Jim DePasquale, AIA, will write a column called “Ask the Architect.” Jim DePasquale Virginia Baptist churches vary in many details of their styles and practices, but they almost universally have buildings….
Relationships, reconnection foster restoration of offenders
Relationship is at the heart of the restorative justice philosophy — restoring an offender’s relationship with self, family and community. The reconnection {mosimage}Then individuals need assistance to reinforce new behaviors and to return to their communities as productive citizens worthy…
For some, creches are big business
ARLINGTON, Va. (RNS) — For James Govan, Christmas starts before Thanksgiving and doesn’t end until early in February as he displays some of his 500 nativity scenes around his home in Arlington, Va. “I keep telling people it’s a disease…