A former seminary professor, Thom Rainer has led LifeWay Christian Resources since 2006. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — People who don’t attend church are not too bothered by what they view as hypocrisy in the church, but there are some…
Leland Center moves into Baptist World Alliance building
FALLS CHURCH — Baptists’ presence in this Northern Virginia suburb just got bigger. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies has moved its main campus from Arlington to Falls Church, where it is leasing two floors in the Baptist World…
Longtime denominational worker Ernest Mosley dies
GASTONIA, N.C. (ABP) — Ernest Mosley, a longtime denominational worker who served the Southern Baptist Convention during a tumultuous period when two factions vied for control of nation’s second-largest faith group, died July 8 after a nearly year-long battle with…
Pastor’s accused killer faces mental evaluation
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — A man accused of gunning down an Illinois Baptist pastor in the middle of a worship service last March will undergo court-ordered testing to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. His booking photo from…
FAITH DIGEST
Charity drops ‘Christian’ from name. Christian Children’s Fund, a Richmond-based organization that helps needy children across the globe, has decided to change its name to ChildFund International as part of its plan to broaden its outreach. The charity was founded…
SECOND OPINION: A world without newspapers?
“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” High school kids used to memorize that line from Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In the poem, sailors go mad with thirst under a scorching sun as their cursed vessel…
How do you spell lust? Try M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
WASINGTON (RNS) — Las Vegas may be known as “Sin City,” but when it comes to transgressions per capita, parts of the Bible Belt may burn much hotter, suggests a new study by Kansas State University geographers. The project, conducted…
Churches in Central Virginia partner to construct homes
RICHMOND — In the Richmond area on any given day, there are at least 1,150 sheltered and unsheltered men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Bringing attention to issues surrounding affordable housing and encouraging professionals and volunteers to get involved with…
Poll shows mixed feeling about same-sex marriage, gay rights
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A large survey on American attitudes toward homosexuality reveals mixed feelings about gay rights, with Americans saying states should not be forced to recognize same-sex unions, but also saying gay couples should have access to federal spousal…
Volunteers from Alexandria church refurbish Eagle Eyrie
ALEXANDRIA — When thinking about spreading the gospel, a trowel and potting soil would not typically come to mind; but these were among the tools used by a mission team from Plymouth Haven Baptist in Alexandria when they spent a…
Religious people make better citizens, but youth are increasingly secular
WASHINGTON (RNS) — First, the silver lining: people of faith are better citizens and better neighbors, and America is “amazingly” religious compared to other countries, Harvard University professor Robert Putnam said. Now, the cloud: young Americans are “vastly more secular”…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Michael Dyer, to Fairview Church, Martinsville, as pastor. • Mike Morrison, to Middle Cross Church, Blue Ridge Association, as its first pastor. • Bill Alphin, to Westhunt Church, Richmond, as interim pastor. • Greg Sink, resigning as…