ATLANTA (ABP) — Fifteen thousand participants in the New Baptist Covenant convocation arrived in Atlanta Jan. 30 seeking unity in Christ and departed Feb. 1 wondering where their quest will lead. In the meantime, they demonstrated racial, theological and geographic…
No politics in celebration
Making good on his promise that the New Baptist Covenant celebration would not be political in nature, former president Jimmy Carter set the tone for the meeting in a news conference before the opening session. Asked by a reporter from…
EDITORIAL: Was the celebration a success?
I was asked by a friend at breakfast the morning after the New Baptist Covenant Celebration what three things stood out as having made the greatest impact. I thought back over the three-day meeting, and what follows are the three…
SECOND OPINION: Disciple methods need to change
I have known Roy Edgemon for many years and I can testify that nobody has a bigger heart for discipleship than he. Recently Dr. Edgemon sounded a clarion call for Baptists to change their methods of discipleship [“Time to revamp…
Axioms of religion
Exactly a century ago this year, in 1908, Edgar Young Mullins, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, published his landmark interpretation of Baptist faith and principles which he entitled The Axioms of Religion. Baptists in the pews and Baptists…
Randel Everett tapped as Texas nominee
DALLAS (ABP) — Randel Everett, who has headed a seminary and served as pastor of prominent churches in four states, is the nominee for the executive director position of the largest statewide Baptist convention. Baptist General Convention of Texas officials…
Former BGAV leader Ken McFarland Smith dies
ARLINGTON — Ken McFarlane Smith, former president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, died Jan. 20. Smith, an attorney and member of First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington, was BGAV president in 1977. He also has served as…
Baptist ministry assistants gather for certification
Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia (BMAV) will gather in Virginia Beach April 1-4 for professional certification and skillshops at the Quality Inn & Suites — Oceanfront. The theme for this conference is “Teaching by the Seaside” and is taken from…
Deadly Super Tuesday storms devastate Union University
JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP) — Baptist-affiliated Union University was one of the hardest-hit spots as deadly tornadoes raked the Mid-South Feb. 5 — the same day as Mardi Gras celebrations and the “Super Tuesday” primary elections. Among those killed was Fountaine…
After Super Tuesday, parties, religious voters still divided
WASHINGTON (ABP) — About the only thing the Feb. 5 “Super Tuesday” primaries made clear is that religious voters are as conflicted as the general electorate over who the next president should be. By the afternoon of Feb. 6, with…
CBF chaplain serves Marines at legendary Parris Island
ATLANTA (ABP) — When Marines return from Iraq — their faith often shaken by what they have seen there — they need someone to listen, to understand and to help. That's where Arthur Wiggins comes in. “We're helping [a particular…
New York court ruling advances gay marriage
NEW YORK (ABP) — Recent rulings in Oregon and New York have provided victories for supporters of same-sex unions and setbacks for gay-rights opponents. A New York appellate panel ruled unanimously that, although the Empire State does not allow same-sex…