“It is not a sanctuary that will help us reach a new generation.” Robert Jeffress The pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas was discussing plans to replace the 1891 sanctuary which launched the careers of legendary Baptist pastors George…
SECOND OPINION: Race, sex, class and presidential politics
It was not until I got to Union Theological Seminary in New York as a doctoral student in Christian ethics that I received my first serious dose of race/class/sex talk. Sometimes it seemed like every course, even every class session,…
Death penalty opponents find new allies among evangelicals
CARRBORO, N.C. (RNS) — Stephen Dear has spent the past 10 years waging an uphill battle to abolish the death penalty in the American South — with virtually no help from the region's powerful evangelical ministers. But unlike in years…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for January 24, 2008
RECOGNITON On Nov. 18 following a Thanksgiving meal, the members of McCabe Memorial Church in Martinsville honored one of its faithful members, Marietta Smith, with a presentation of a plaque for her devoted Christian service to its music ministry. McCabe's…
Survey: Unchurched Americans say church is full of hypocrites
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Almost three-quarters of Americans who haven't darkened the door of a church in the last six months think it is “full of hypocrites,” and even more of them consider Christianity to be more about organized religion than…
Opinion: My Baptist journey to the New Baptist Covenant
I am excited that my 30-year journey as a Baptist leads me to the New Baptist Covenant meeting in Atlanta Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. I've been thinking about what this upcoming meeting means to me, and how it relates…
RIGHT OR WRONG
Reading what the Apostle Paul said about our bodies being “the temple of God,” I became convicted about what I allow my children to eat — too many sweets, etc. But my husband resists my words of caution and models…
Evangelical panelists say Christian voters broadening political agenda
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Washington auditorium that once hosted a news program famous for back-and-forth arguments between political opponents instead recently featured a very different dialogue — a group of evangelical Christians denouncing the religious and political polarization of the…
Rob Bell: Christians shouldn’t fear controversy over doctrine
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Precise definitions and formulations of doctrines aren't necessary prerequisites to evangelism or Christian unity, said author Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., who has become an increasingly controversial figure among…
On 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, both sides celebrate decline of abortion
WASHINGTON (ABP) — As abortion-rights supporters and opponents marked the 35th anniversary of the decision that legalized the procedure nationwide, new statistics show that, legal or not, fewer women are choosing abortion. A new study, released just days before the…
FAITH DIGEST
Evolution and religion compatible, scientists insist. A top panel of scientists has published a new book asserting that belief in the theory of evolution and religious faith “can be fully compatible,” and creationism has no place in science classes. The…
Christian leaders urge Bush to use last State of Union speech to ‘salvage’ legacy
NEW YORK (ABP) — As President Bush prepares to deliver his final State of the Union address Jan. 28, evangelical and Catholic leaders are calling for him to use that speech to “salvage his moral legacy.” David Gushee told reporters…