Faith lowers stress, research suggests. Canadian researchers have discovered strong religious convictions can lower stress and enhance the performance of basic tasks. A team in Toronto put 28 students through tests measuring both levels of religious observance and stress caused…
Celebrate Baptists’ 400th anniversary with day trips across Virginia
European Baptists are throwing a huge party in July in Amsterdam to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the church founded by John Smyth and Thomas Helwys in 1609. If Amsterdam is not on your summer itinerary, there are places closer…
Jimmy Carter: Christians have duty to pursue peace in Holy Land
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Former President Jimmy Carter’s recent book, We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan that Will Work, reviews the contributions of past U.S. presidents toward peace in Israel and Palestine, and advances his hopes that…
OUT LOUD
“Darwin was right about natural selection, right about different species forming and species changing, but wrong that such changes are a mechanism to change one kind of animal into a totally different kind."Ken HamThe founder of Answers in Genesis, which…
Religious broadcasters brace for uncertain future
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Digital podcasts and streaming video might bring Christian audiences inspirational messages in the future, but they aren’t bringing in the cash that broadcast ministries need to weather a painful economy. To make ends meet, religious broadcasters are…
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…