Henry Keeling Ellyson became possessed with a vision. It is the mark of any effective leader that a vision is forthcoming and that it is articulated. Ellyson was the executive leader of Virginia Baptists. His actual title was corresponding secretary….
Opponents of Oregon partnerships law fail
SALEM, Ore. (RNS) — Opponents of a new domestic partnership law for same-sex couples failed to gather enough signatures to put a referendum on the November 2008 ballot. The secretary of state's office said volunteers who spent the summer collecting…
SECOND OPINION: What divides us is as important as what unites us
The recent media firestorm over Ann Coulter's comments on whether or not the Jewish people require “perfection” follows the predictable pattern. Like Captain Renault in the movie Casablanca, the hosts of various news programs professed themselves “shocked, shocked” to discover…
Vestal: New collaboration shows reconstruction of Baptist family
DECATUR, Ga. (ABP) — The Baptist “family” is undergoing “something of a reconstruction” these days, according to Daniel Vestal, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. After decades of infighting within and isolation between various Baptist denominations, an unprecedented opportunity…
SECOND OPINION: Muslim world: Hard ground, harvest field
In an Islamic country known for violent persecution of Christians, a local believer named Samuel (name changed for security reasons) hands out evangelistic tracts and films every day. One day, Samuel spotted a conservative Muslim man on a street corner…
FAITH DIGEST
Religious references OK on flag certificates. Americans who ask for a flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol now will be able to include religious references on the accompanying certificate under new guidelines. Some House members were angry after…
SECOND OPINION: Authentic evangelism, virtual or otherwise
The X-Box game Halo 3 was released recently and it is huge, with more than $300 million in sales in the first two weeks; it is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue. Within the Christian world, however,…
New about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for Oct. 25
STAFF CHANGES • Scott Covington, to Berea Church, Fredericksburg, as pastor. • Gwynn Davis Jr., to Chester Church, Chester, as interim pastor. • Whitney Jo Clarke, to Mount Hermon Church, Danville, as minister to preschool and children. • James L….
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Christians call themselves New Testament people. I hear so many moral arguments based on the Old Testament, though. Is there any way a layperson can find some kind of consistency here? I want to be biblical in my thinking and…
OUTLOUD
“As a Christian I am completely opposed to the doctrines of Mormonism. But I'm not voting for a preacher. I'm voting for a president. It boils down to who can best represent conservative American beliefs, not religious beliefs. … This…
Prominent S.C. pastor endorses Mitt Romney, then regrets it
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (ABP) — Don Wilton, a prominent megachurch pastor in the key early-primary state of South Carolina, withdrew his endorsement of Mormon presidential candidate Mitt Romney Oct. 23. Wilton, pastor of First Baptist Church in Spartanburg and former president…
Leland Seminary, Hampton University reach undergrad agreement
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABP) — A moderate Baptist seminary and a historically African-American college in Virginia have reached a unique degree-granting agreement for undergraduate students. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies, based in Arlington, Va., and Hampton University in Hampton,…