Thomas Herndon is pastor of First Baptist Church in Carthage, N.C., and chaplain of the Carthage Police Department. (PHOTO/Steve DeVane)CARTHAGE, N.C. (ABP) — First Baptist Church in Carthage, N.C., designed its fellowship hall to be used in a disaster. But…
SECOND OPINION: Babyboomers, volunteerism and the future of church leadership
It is not a stretch to realize that churches are probably the longest standing user of volunteer services. From teaching Sunday school classes and staffing committees to operating the various mission efforts, churches are almost completely dependent upon unpaid volunteers….
HERITAGE: Time travel
Jim Slatton had a catchy title in mind for his biography of William Heth Whitsitt. He wanted to call it An Inconvenient Truth, but Al Gore coined it first for his book. It would have been apropos. After all, in…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida develops a bonus plan
Dear Jimmy, Last night after I went to bed I was a-lyin’ there thinkin’ about all the things I’ve been puttin’ off, and right at the top of the list was writin’ you. So, here goes. I don’t have much…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Herald launches new web site. The Religious Herald will unveil in early April an engaging new web site that features video reporting and weblogs by both the editor and associate editor. The target date is Friday, April 3. The site…
Church highlights hymns in films
MARION — With the buzz of the Oscars still fresh in people’s minds, one Virginia Baptist church brought people together to celebrate the use of hymns in several Academy Award winning or nominated movies. Simultaneously, Marion Baptist Church in Marion…
BTSR announces new study in biblical interpretation
RICHMOND — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will offer a new concentration in biblical interpretation, beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year. Seminary spokespersons said that in an era of declining biblical literacy, ministers have a critical need for the skills…
BTSR launches 20th anniversary celebration with shared memories
RICHMOND — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond launched a two-and-a-half-year celebration of its 20th anniversary March 12 with a banquet and shared memories on the school’s campus. The event — which drew current and former faculty, staff and trustees as…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Phil Stevens, to Lynch Station Church, Lynch Station, as pastor. • John P. Campbell, to Rose Union Church, Piney River, as full-time pastor. • Les Redfern, to Cornerstone Christian Church, Richmond, as full-time pastor. • Don Pegram,…
RIGHT or WRONG: Praying in school
My child’s kindergarten teacher taught him a prayer, which his class recites before lunch. Do you think that is OK, or should I talk to her? If the public school teacher shares your religious beliefs, you might be tempted to…
SECOND OPINION: The source and cure for what ails us
For more than a decade I hosted a nationally syndicated talk show. I read five newspapers a day, 30 journals a month and a few books a week. All of that helped me learn to spot certain trends, and all…
Bebber’s ministry in D.C. challenges visiting churches to take ministry home
WASHINGTON — Many walk the streets of Washington, D.C., with no place to call home. And, for most, it’s something they never planned or a place they’d never thought they’d be. But life threw difficulties their way — a few…