WASHINGTON (ABP) — If the authors of “An Evangelical Manifesto,” released May 7, aimed to inspire conversation and self-reflection among their kindred, they certainly succeeded. Among Baptists at the intersection of faith and public life, the conversation and reflection have…
Pastor-deacon retreat draws hundreds eager to make churches missional
A desire to make their congregations more missional drew almost 640 pastors, deacons and other church leaders to the annual Pastor/Deacon/ Church Leader Conference at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center last week. The event, sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission…
Bush envisions International Day of Prayer
WASHINGTON (BP) — In adversity, Americans can find comfort through prayer, President Bush said May 1 in a White House observance of the 57th National Day of Prayer. “Over the last seven years, our country has faced many trials. And…
Three Virginia Baptist churches investigate multi-site options
Your bank has several locations. So does your cleaners. And your grocery store. Why not your church? Three Virginia Baptist churches sent representatives to a multi-site conference in Dallas to discover whether this model might hold potential for them. In…
Lawyers to challenge IRS
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A conservative Christian legal group has launched an initiative for pastors to challenge IRS rules that prevent them from discussing political candidates from the pulpit. The Alliance Defense Fund said May 9 that its “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,”…
EDITORIAL: The changing church
The body of Christ never ceases to amaze me. Not that I have seen that much of its total representation in either time or space. My perspective is rather limited, in fact. Still, what I have seen amazes me. The…
IMB leader resigns over policies
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — Rodney Hammer, the International Mission Board's regional leader for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the past eight years, resigned effective May 5 after challenging policies of the board of trustees with which he is in…
Sharing memories
“It has been sooo long ago,” explained Martha Thomas by way of explanation, just in case her memories were not forthcoming. She need not have fretted. A month shy of her 100th birthday, Martha Thomas did not miss a beat…
SECOND OPINION: How are Christians accountable to each other?
One of the most vexing issues in Christian life is the question of accountability. At every level of Christian community, the question arises. We know that Christians are accountable to God for their lives and will one day actually give…
Anger at New Baptist Covenant
I didn't send this letter immediately because I wrote most of it in anger. I wasn't sure I would ever send it. Much of the time my anger is not exactly righteous anger. But now I believe is the time….
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for May 15, 2008
STAFF CHANGES • Eric Durden, to Fairmount Memorial Church, Richmond, as pastor. • G. C. Hughes has concluded his ministry as pastor of Blackstone Church, Blackstone. • Don Williams, resigning as pastor of Calvary Church, Lynchburg, effective the end of…
6-day creation
Until last year, I would have agreed with Loren and Deborah Haarsma that “evolution is God's program for creating life” (“Couple urges truce in war between faith and science,” Herald, March 20). Then I learned about difficulties with evolutionary theory…