SAN FRANCISCO (RNS)—Reports that Al Gore has replaced God—at least in one California hotel—have been greatly exaggerated, the hotel's developer said. The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa, located 35 miles north of San Francisco, made headlines after a media…
FAITH DIGEST
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP EXPERT WEBBER DIES. Robert Webber, an influential expert on Christian worship, died April 27 in Sawyer, Mich., after suffering from pancreatic cancer. He was 73. Webber, a professor of ministry at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Ill., the last…
Woven together
The drive to weave ties among local churches is housed deep in the Baptist DNA, some observers of denominational life say. It's an instinct almost as visceral as another, often competing, Baptist charactertistic — a fierce independence of thought and…
Trustees soften controversial IMB policies
KANSAS CITY, MO. (ABP) — Controversial policies for missionaries on baptism and speaking in tongues were slightly softened—but not revoked—by trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board May 8. The trustees, meeting in Kansas City, approved an ad…
Networks: New label or a new way for churches to relate
Some associations of churches call themselves “networks” now. And their directors of missions insist it's more than just a trendy change in terminology. As missions director for a West Texas area that included both Midland and Odessa Baptist associations, Wayne…
Baylor professor becomes Catholic, resigns as head of evangelical group
WACO, Texas—Renowned evangelical philosopher Francis Beckwith has become a Roman Catholic and, as a result, has resigned as president—and also as a member—of the Evangelical Theological Society. Beckwith, associate professor of church-state studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, said…
Competing state conventions challenge associations
Dual—and sometimes dueling—state conventions often present a challenge for associations of churches. In keeping with Baptist polity, associations are autonomous, stand-alone organizations, just as Baptist churches and state and national conventions are. But in practice, associations have maintained close ties…
ABP board honors three, moves ahead with partnership
DALLAS (ABP)—The board of the nation's only independent news service for Baptists honored two Baptist communicators and a Dallas congregation for their contributions to the cause of Christian journalism April 27. Meeting in Dallas, directors of Associated Baptist Press also…
MC2 offers opportunities for learning and service
RICHMOND — This summer the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's Mission Connection Celebration (MC2), formerly called Family Missions Week, will offer a wide variety of opportunities for missions learning and service. To be held at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center July…
Hispanics transforming nation’s religious landscape
WASHINGTON (RNS)—About half the nation's Hispanics —including many who are Roman Catholic—consider themselves charismatics or Pentecostals, creating a new confluence of streams in American Christianity, a new study has revealed. “Simply put, Latinos are transforming the nation's religious landscape,” said…
Virginia nominees to SBC boards and committees announced
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) Nominees to serve as trustees of Southern Baptist Convention agencies have been selected by the SBC committee on nominations. They will serve if elected at the annual SBC meeting, July 12-13. Nominees from Virginia are: • G….
BAPTIST BRIEFS
HERITAGE & HISTORY SOCIETY TO PRESENT AWARDS. The Baptist Heritage & History Society will honor a church historian, a student, a denominational entity, a state convention executive and three ministers at an awards luncheon scheduled in conjunction with its annual…