We live in a litigation-happy society. Assuming your church is safe from lawsuits is a set-up for disaster. While many suits are unjustified factually or legally, way too many suits against churches are appropriate because of inadequate ministerial practices. The…
Pastoral residency offers mentoring for young ministers
When a Baptist minister graduates from seminary or divinity school, what factors predict whether that person will succeed or fail in local church ministry? Educational training plays a part, as does the personality of the congregation the minister serves. But…
Ministry assistants to hold annual meeting
The Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia will hold its annual meeting Friday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meeting, focusing on the theme, “Reaching the Masses … In Your Own Backyard,” will be held at the Pittsylvania…
News about Virginia Baptists and their Ministries for August 23 ,2007
STAFF CHANGES • Chad Whaley, to New Salem Church, Culpeper, as pastor. • Samuel Barnhart Sr., to Second Church, Falls Church, as senior pastor. • Archie Goldie, to Sterling Park Church, Sterling, as interim pastor. • Bryan Jones, to First…
Collaboration essential part of effective mentoring
DALLAS—It's not coincidental that the pastoral residency program at Wilshire Baptist Church occurs in a group context. Wilshire employs four pastoral residents with help from the Lilly Endowment and supports a music ministry resident out of the church budget. The…
Chris Backert to join board as emerging church strategist
RICHMOND — Christopher J. Backert has joined the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's emerging leaders team in a new part-time position as emerging church strategist. In announcing Backert's appointment, Susan McBride, emerging leaders team leader, said, “Chris will help Virginia Baptists…
Students want to serve God’s kingdom – not necessarily in the church
College students who feel a calling into ministry passionately want to make a difference for God's kingdom. But a significant number don't believe the local-church setting is the place to do it, according to guidance directors for ministerial students at…
Lowesville VBS participants provide water for Malawi gardens
LOWESVILLE — Rural kids know something about gardens. At least, they understand gardens needing water. If it doesn't rain, they need water from somewhere. They also understand more about sacrifice than most of us. They taught us some of that…
Sharing sport and spirit: International soccer players offer more than skill tips
Churches in the Fredericksburg area regularly send members to foreign countries to do mission work. In early August, three foreign countries sent missionaries to Frederick-sburg to help local children sharpen their soccer skills and their faith. The event was hosted…
Baptist educator joins Bluefield College as vice president for enrollment
Bluefield College recently welcomed a new vice president to manage recruitment and enrollment initiatives for the school. Toby Ziglar, an admissions director and former college professor and pastor with strong ties to Virginia Baptists, joined the BC family Aug. 1…
Illinois church knowingly placed convicted sex offender in pulpit
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (ABP) – Despite warnings from a denominational official as well as another church, a Southern Baptist congregation near Chicago allowed a convicted child molester to preach for years. In the end, it took media inquiries for Jeffrey Hannah,…
Succession sometimes sticky when beloved pastor leaves
(ABP) — When the only pastor an entire generation at a church has known leaves, there's no set model for ensuring a smooth transition, experts say. The right way to do it at one time in a church's history may…