RICHMOND—Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond is offering a class next year on the missional church movement, open to both laypersons and clergy. “An Introduction to the Missional Church Movement” is a master of divinity level course and will be held…
For some, happy holidays means no gifts
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS)—Scrap the gift lists. Trash the wrapping paper. Blow off the mall. That's the mind-set of Americans who can't stomach exchanging holiday presents. They aren't grinches or scrooges. They just reject what they consider the wastefulness and stress…
Bluefield scholarship to aid ministers
BLUEFIELD—A Virginian's love for Christian ministry will result in more trained ministers, thanks to an endowed scholarship established in his memory at Bluefield College. Sheridan Williams of Max Meadows wanted to preserve the legacy of her husband, Elbert Williams, and…
Churches’ cooperation strengthen ministry in among students in China
MACAU, China — Eager hands reached for strips of paper. “This one goes next,” voices shouted as the group of Chinese students pieced the strips together to tell the story of Christ's birth. The problem: the story had been written…
That’s a wrap: Lakewood Manor’s Wilson is wrapping machine
RICHMOND—At this holiday gift-giving time, Stacey Wilson, Lakewood Manor's program coordinator, becomes a wrapping machine. She is not wrapping the presents for her friends and families but for the Lakewood residents. Lakewood Manor resident Peggy Warren (right) gets help with…
Red Letter Days: Christmas gifts with a conscience
NEW YORK (ABP) — What's the perfect revenge for the flannel-lined hot-water bottle Aunt Sharon gave you last Christmas? Or the Michael Bolton CD from your brother-in-law? A toilet. Or an ox. A bag of seeds would work, for that…
Happy New Year? For some Christians, it has already begun
COLUMBIA, Mo. (ABP) — When does the new year begin? For Christians observing the church calendar, it began with the start of Advent on Dec. 2. The traditional Christian season of Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas, is to…
With Corzine’s signature, N.J. officially bans death penalty
TRENTON, N.J. (ABP) — Stating his firm opposition to what he called “state-endorsed killing,” New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) has signed into law a legislative ban on capital punishment — the nation's first in decades. Shortly before he signed…
Faith leaders reject ‘hateful speech’ while Hispanics leave GOP
NEW YORK (ABP) — Republican presidential candidates appeal to fears over immigration in the primary campaigns at the risk of alienating an important constituency – conservative Hispanics – religious leaders in several early primary states said Dec. 17. In a…
Opinion: Does Christmas matter to the world?
(ABP) — On a recent trip to my hometown, I was surprised to hear some beautiful Russian Orthodox music performed by the “Singing Christmas Tree” in my childhood Southern Baptist church in North Carolina. Perhaps I should clarify this. I…
Mo. Baptist leaders restrict funding for church starts, angering some
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A decision by Missouri Baptist Convention leaders to cut off funding for certain new church starts has set off a firestorm of protest and further widened a rift among conservative Baptists in the state. The…
Huckabee apologizes to Romney for reportedly anti-Mormon crack
JOHNSTON, Iowa (ABP) — The newest front-runner in the Republican presidential campaign responded to newfound scrutiny Dec. 12, reportedly apologizing for what critics called an anti-Mormon crack. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, apologized to former Massachusetts…