Disputed dinner fails to deliver dialogue. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dined with 300 religious and political leaders in New York, but the controversial event offered far less dialogue than advertised. Ahmadinejad delivered a 45-minute address that cut short any possibility…
Megachurches experience growth through multiple satellite locations
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Mega-churches known for big buildings, big schools and big crowds continue to grow. But a new study detects shifts in the way they are expanding. “The general growth pattern is that about 90 percent of mega-churches report…
Fewer than three-dozen churches risk tax-exempt status through endorsements
WASHINGTON (ABP) — While only 33 churches signed up to participate in a conservative Christian group's Pulpit Freedom Sunday Sept. 28, planners viewed it as a success. That is, organizers said, because its stated purpose was not to inject politics…
Pastors, church leaders at Catalyst confab
ATLANTA — Just over a hundred Virginia Baptists were among the more than 12,000 people converging on The Arena in suburban Atlanta's Gwinnett Center for the ninth annual Catalyst Conference, hosted by Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church…
Tell the good news
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Clyde Chiles has seen a lot of changes in evangelistic approaches in his 52 years as an active vocational evangelist. But he believes the message must not change, and evangelists always must demonstrate integrity. Chiles, one of…
Catalyst worth the effort, says board staffer
You never know if all the work, all the calls, all the money, all the preparation and all the time are really worth it. Then something will happen to let you know that the Catalyst get-away is more than worth…
Examine ethics of evangelistic methods, professor urges
Baptists may need to take a second look at their evangelism ethics, a professor of pastoral theology and ethics believes. Some forms of evangelism may not fit with a Christian lifestyle, according to Terry Rosell, professor at Central Baptist Theological…
Author of The Shack among speakers at conference
ATLANTA — Despite the charge that William Paul Young is attempting to undermine orthodox Christianity, the author of The Shack was invited by Catalyst organizers to be interviewed during the conference. The book is No. 1 on the New York…
Does event evangelism still work?
Some observers of church life insist the day of event evangelism has passed. They point to one-on-one evangelism as the only effective way to reach non-Christians today. But does that mean event evangelism is dead? Some evangelists are stepping forward…
Bloomer, others to be BGAV officer nominees
William “Jeff” Bloomer, current first vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be nominated for president when the BGAV meets Nov. 11-12 in Roanoke. Bloomer, one of three nominees voted at the fall meeting of Virginia Baptists…
College students reach out globally through Virginia Baptists’ GO teams
GO (Global Outreach) Teams are short-term summer mission immersion projects for college students from across the state. Sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Baptist Collegiate Ministries, these international mission teams also develop leadership skills and build community through…
Lakewood marks 30
RICHMOND — Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community, operated by Virginia Baptist Homes, will celebrate its 30 year anniversary on Oct. 21. The Richmond Baptist Association's dream in 1963 of having a Richmond retirement community has served thousands of residents over…