Southern-style Social Gospel may not be the first thing that springs to mind when most Baptists think of Woman’s Missionary Union, but Southern progressivism significantly influenced the organization in its formative years, church historian Carol Holcomb noted. Holcomb, associate professor…
SECOND OPINION: Opening up without watering down
Baptist churches of the Old South had a lovely image for describing entrance into church membership. They would announce that a door of the church was open. Anyone who came forward was asked to give a verbal confession of “their…
Historic Baptist ordination practices reveal a tangled web
Pragmatism and tradition have stood alongside biblical and theological principles in shaping Baptist ordination practices, church historian Karen Bullock told the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute colloquy. “The concept of ordination as practiced by Baptists today is a complex — even…
HERITAGE: Transitions
On the last Sunday of May, Bill Tuck was extended warm farewells as he concluded a 20-month interim pastorate at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, N.C. The congregation formed a long line to give handshakes and hugs to Bill…
Baptism: Neither a means of obtaining grace nor a trivial ritual
By looking back to their beliefs and practices from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century, Baptists can reclaim a view of baptism between the poles of sacramentalism and “mere symbolism,” church historian and theologian Sheila Klopfer said. Historically,…
Sewing skills are key for Portsmouth congregation
PORTSMOUTH — It started with a sewing pattern and a mission conference. Bruce Powers, pastor of Westhaven Baptist Church in Portsmouth, attended the MC2 conference sponsored by the VBMB last summer at Eagle Eyrie. Staffers of the Woman’s Missionary Union…
Baptists urged to consider risks of ‘majoritarian faith’
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — Baptists in the United States — who find themselves members of a religious majority or plurality in many areas — would do well to remember their humble beginnings as a persecuted minority and to reconsider the…
Virginia Baptists respond to W. Va. floods
GILBERT, W.Va. (BP) — In the wake of flash floods that washed away rural roads and even mountainsides over six southern West Virginia counties on Mother’s Day weekend, Virginia Baptists joined other Baptist disaster relief feeding units and mud-out crews…
S.C. woman nominated as CBF moderator-elect
ATLANTA (ABP) — A graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond who has attended or worked only at churches aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has been nominated as the group's moderator-elect. If elected as expected Christy McMillin-Goodwin, associate minister…
Report says U.S. feeling effects of global warming
A government climate-change report predicts increases in very high temperatures, which scientists say will have wide-ranging affects. WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new government study on climate change says the United States is already feeling effects of human-induced global warming….
Report says United States already feeling effects of global warming
A government climate-change report predicts increases in very high temperatures, which scientists say will have wide-ranging affects. WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new government study on climate change says the United States is already feeling effects of human-induced global warming….
SBC president supports resolution celebrating Obama’s election
WOODSTOCK, Ga. (ABP) — The president of the Southern Baptist Convention has voiced support for a proposed SBC resolution celebrating President Obama's election. SBC President Johnny Hunt is pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga. SBC president Johnny Hunt…