“I have been defending religious freedom for 22 years and I’ve never had to defend somebody who has been charged criminally with praying.” MATTHEW STAVER The founder of Liberty Counsel was referring to his defense of a Florida public school…
Lutherans open door to gay clergy, agree to disagree on sexuality
MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — Delegates to the national assembly of America’s largest Lutheran denomination voted by a wide margin Aug. 21 to open the door to allowing clergy in committed same-sex relationships to serve openly. The vote came just two days…
2009 VBS photo contest goes to Virginia church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — A bird's-eye view of children performing the "Boomerang Express" Vacation Bible School musical won Salem Baptist Church in Sparta, Va., the first place award in the third annual Facts & Trends Online VBS Photo Contest. The…
OPINION: The moral imperative of health-care reform
(ABP) — The national debate raging over health-care reform has become a maelstrom of competing claims and counterclaims. It has been deeply infected by political demagoguery and hysteria. The tenor of the debate raises the legitimate question as to whether…
Richmond church sends children’s ministry team to international meeting
RICHMOND — Twelve members of Broadus Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond served on the children’s ministry team from Virginia that traveled to Interlaken, Switzerland, July 4-9 for the annual summer assembly of the International Baptist Convention. The IBC is a…
Children’s ministry in Switzerland
Twelve members of Broadus Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond served on the children’s ministry team from Virginia that traveled to Interlaken, Switzerland, July 4-9 for the annual summer assembly of the International Baptist Convention. The IBC is a fellowship of…
Lakewood Manor focuses on ‘tough conversations’
RICHMOND — The National Caregiver’s Library and Lakewood Manor, a continuing care retirement community, have partnered to host Tough Conversations, a 4-part seminar designed for adults who would like to learn how to dialogue with a parent, loved one or…
Blessing schools
Some Christians may have written off public education, but others are discovering innovative ways to develop meaningful relationships with public schools. Over the last decade, the Exodus Mandate captured the attention of some evangelicals with its call to “leave government…
Virginia jail agrees to stop censoring religious mail
STAFFORD — A Virginia jail will stop censoring religious mail after protests from civil rights organizations that clerks had turned Bible-quoting missives from an inmate’s mother into tattered strips of paper signed “Love, Mom.” Rappahannock Regional Jail authorities agreed to…
Church 2 Church Ministry: A covenant of partnership
SOUTH BOSTON — Ash Avenue Baptist Church in South Boston is not a mega-church. Worship attendance averages 140. John Eure has served as pastor for eight years and he is the church’s only full-time staff member. Ash Avenue is a…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Bryant Owens, to Clintwood Church, Clintwood, as pastor. • Charles R. Doyle, now serving as interim pastor of Rosalind Hills Church, Roanoke. CHURCH NEWS • Biltmore Church, Glen Allen, will host a Caregiver’s Support Group co-facilitated by…
SECOND OPINION: The SBC’s membership in 2050: A, B, C or none of above?
If you have been reading Baptist news the past few weeks, then you may know the answer to the following question, but just for fun, let’s make it multiple choice: In A.D. 2050, the membership of the Southern Baptist Convention…