Although many pastors would be content if their churches met in three different congregations with 14 separate services using seven different languages, Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, challenged the church leaders to “take it to…
Obama rearranges faith-based office, vows to maintain church-state wall
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama announced a revamped version of his predecessor's office on faith-based charities Feb. 5, restructuring it with a broad advisory council and vowing to pay close attention to church-state concerns. “The goal of this office will…
FIRST PERSON: The price of coffee
FALLS CHURCH — “$2.19,” the cashier says after I place my order for a small iced coffee. I'm tempted to order an iced latte instead, but that would bump up the price by a dollar. I choose to stick with…
Senate rejects aid for religious buildings
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Senate defeated 54-43 an amendment to the economic stimulus bill Feb. 5 that would have allowed federal funding for renovations at college buildings that are used for religious activity. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed the…
$10.1 million gift accelerates barracks building at FUMA
FORK UNION — Fork Union Military Academy has received a gift of $10.1 million, allowing the Virginia Baptist-affiliated school to begin construction on a new barracks facility — a project initiated three years ago. The donors are Jerry and Laura…
First regional New Baptist Covenant event focuses on reconciliation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Former President Jimmy Carter went to a shrine of the Civil Rights Movement Jan. 31 to drive home a point about racial reconciliation among Baptists, stepping up into the pulpit of the Birmingham, Ala., church where…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards grants to six ministries
RICHMOND — The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded grants totaling $40,000 to six Virginia Baptist ministry partners according to Ronald C. Hall, president and CEO of the foundation. “We are able to award these dollars due to the Christian stewardship…
Regional NBC celebration planned in North Carolina in April
A regional celebration of the New Baptist Covenant is scheduled for April 24-25 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The event, focused on the theme, “This is God's Year to Act: Responding to a Society in Crisis,” will be held at Wake Forest…
New statute not needed, says Virginia Baptist committee
RICHMOND — The Baptist General Association of Virginia's religious liberty committee released a statement this week concerning Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom. The full text is: Religious liberty is again under attack. Now it is Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom….
God doesn’t want dabbling in faith
I am not nearly as disturbed by the events you report — “Why believe in God” ads and the suit in South Carolina concerning ads saying, “I believe in God” — as I am by the apparent belief of many…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Heritage Center announces essay contest. The Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies reminds all high school juniors and seniors of the third annual Roots and Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest. Entries for the contest should be postmarked by April 15…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Advertise for the Lord
I am writing from a small town in southwestern Virginia. When our church heard of the buses in Washington we were sickened. But we did not just sit by in astonishment. We sent out letters to churches in our county…