“Our focus right now is saving lives. We can save souls tomorrow.” Bishop T. D. Jakes The Dallas pastor spoke at a two-day conference of black clergy organized by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. (RNS) “It seemed self-evident…
Southerners give more to religious organizations
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The numbers prove it: Southerners are more generous to their churches, while lagging in other categories of giving. Using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new study by empty tomb inc. shows that in 2005,…
The Spirit in stone
A church building is “God's calling card,” telling the watching world what we believe, says one Christian architect. So what message are we sending? If your sanctuary could speak, what would it say? The truth is, it does speak—every day,…
News about Virginia Baptists and their Ministries for Oct. 18, 2007
STAFF CHANGES • Phil Andrews, to Liberty Church, Hopewell, as senior pastor. • Michael Alan Jordan, to Mount Vernon Church, Axton, as pastor. • Bill Sigler, to Saluda Church, Saluda, as pastor. • Earnie Taylor, resigning as pastor of Union…
Historic sanctuaries: To be or not to be?
DALLAS—When maintaining a sanctuary with a long history, congregations must look long into the future, according to Keith Crouch, Baptist General Convention of Texas church architecture director. Spencer Elliott Calvary Baptist Church, New York City Decisions about maintaining a historic…
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…
Revival of the arts
FALLS CHURCH (ABP)—Architect Larry Cook believes “any building completely devoid of art is devoid of spirituality.” The Virginian is one of a growing number of architects who welcome the return of symbolism and spirituality to church buildings. After decades of…
Baptist World Alliance welcomes peace letter from Muslim scholars
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A letter asking for peace between Muslims and Christians received a warm welcome from leaders of the Baptist World Alliance Oct. 17. Signed by more than 130 Muslim scholars, theologians and clerics, the 29-page tome asked for…
Bluefield College celebrates 8th annual Baptist Heritage Day
BLUEFIELD—Bluefield College celebrated its history Oct. 3 with an annual Baptist Heritage Day ceremony on campus, featuring a keynote address from an authority on Baptist life, Boyce Brannock, president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. For the eighth consecutive…
FIRST PERSON: 225 years for Northwest church
CHESAPEAKE — Rarely does a church celebrate a 225th anniversary. One such church is Northwest Baptist Church in Chesapeake. This church predates the Portsmouth Baptist Association by nine years. Dating back to 1782, when the church was called North Upper…
Christian men gather on National Mall
WASHINGTON—In numbers that were far fewer but with a faith that was nonetheless fervent, evangelical Christian men gathered in the shadow of the Washington Monument Oct. 6 for a day of spiritual renewal that recalled a much larger meeting of…
SBC president addresses Lynchburg congregation
LYNCHBURG—On Wednesday evening, Oct. 10, West Lynchburg Baptist Church hosted Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page in a special worship service in what Page called his first visit to Virginia since his election. Speaking to a crowd—including some from other…