According to figures used by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, four-and-a-half million Virginians have never declared their belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. What are Virginia Baptists going to do about it? Let's get specific. What are…
BTSR offers online certificate courses
The School of Christian Ministry at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond announces six online certificate course offerings beginning April 9. Each course lasts four weeks. All courses are web-based. Participants can access online course materials and discussion forums anytime, from…
What kind of moderate?
Occasionally we hear the cry of a prophetic voice. I heard such a cry when I read the article written by Michael Gillen, “What kind of moderates are Virginia Baptists?” [Herald, March 8]. That prophetic voice challenges Virginia Baptists to…
Sarah Batkins, first campus minister, dies
Sarah Poole Batkins, the first student secretary (now campus minister) among Virginia Baptists, died March 8 in Richmond. She was 91. In September 1941, Batkins was employed as a joint venture of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Virginia Woman's…
More diversity
Thank you, Mike Gillen! Your article urging us to respond to the growing multi-ethnic culture around us put words to the thoughts in my own heart. I too desire to see more diversity in denominational leadership to truly reflect our…
The rest of the story: Update on Katrina
You may be curious as to what Virginia Baptists are doing these days in the way of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. I want to offer you an update on what we are currently doing toward Katrina recovery. Our operations in…
Sexual abuse
I want to thank you whole-heartedly for this editorial in the March 8 Religious Herald [“Some things can't be ignored”]. You set the stage well, provided context, addressed difficult issues, offered resources, and provided very helpful and wise biblically-based counsel…
Disbanding church sells property, endows CBF of Florida with gift
LAKELAND, Fla. (ABP) — Despite years of dwindling membership and subsequent closure, Indigo Community Church is going out in style — to the tune of almost half a million dollars. On March 11, the Daytona Beach, Fla., congregation's remaining members…
Episcopal bishops reject Anglicans’ ultimatum; total split over gays looms
NAVASOTA, Texas (ABP) — With a March 20 resolution, bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States rejected calls from their global counterparts to backtrack on gay rights — and the rebuff may endanger the U.S. church's role in…
Correction
There was an error in the fifth paragraph of the March 19 ABP story, “Paul Powell retires as Truett Seminary Dean; David Garland to replace him.” Please change the final sentence of that paragraph to read: “Diana Garland took over…
Ron Crawford approved as president of Baptist Seminary at Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Trustees at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond announced March 20 their election of Ron Crawford as president of the 18-year-old seminary. Crawford, 55, was approved unanimously by trustees and will take the position July 1….
Missouri associate Jim Austin tapped for top Baptist spot in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S. C. (ABP) – After spending less than two years as associate executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, Jim Austin is expected to become new executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. A South Carolina search committee…