JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — If a Missouri Baptist Convention committee has its way, messengers to the convention's annual meeting Oct. 31 will effectively eject 18 congregations — including the very church in which the convention got its start. If…
Reform-minded Wiley Drake won’t accept traditional obscurity of SBC’s 2nd VP
BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention expects very little from its vice presidents — nothing, in fact — unless the SBC president becomes incapacitated. Traditionally, those elected each year to the mostly honorary VP positions are seen…
Cut into the darkness
The sun was setting in the west and the shadows were lengthening when this columnist headed out one Saturday on his way to a Sunday speaking engagement in the country. The destination was Straightstone Baptist Church in the northeast corner…
New Orleans churches stagger back to life
Seventy-five people gathered in bright sunshine on a recent Sunday outside Reaping the Harvest Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans. They applauded as pastor Troy Lawrence, resplendent in a three-piece gray pinstriped suit, cut a red ribbon and, for…
Dress casual
Last year in this space, I offered several good reasons why Virginia Baptists might enjoy attending the annual meeting dressed in casual attire, and it appeared as if many messengers made the transition to casual in Woodbridge last November. May…
Franklin Baptist proves unsinkable
Suffering its second flood in seven years, Franklin Baptist Church was closed for a week as waters from the swollen Blackwater River crept into town. “During the Sunday we were out [of the building] we had a community service,” offered…
Support Bluefield
We Baileys and Rackleys are proud to have had four generations attending Bluefield College. Dad, David L. Bailey Sr., began the journey in the 1920s; both of my brothers, David and Bob attended; I graduated in 1954. I currently have…
Evangelicals push for end to genocide in Darfur
Twenty-four evangelical leaders–both progressive and conservative–placed full-page ads in leading U.S. newspapers Oct. 18 calling for President Bush and the American public to stop genocide in Darfur. The leaders requested an immediate session with the president to discuss economic sanctions…
Letters for Dale
As many already know, Dr. Bob Dale has announced his intention to retire from full-time service with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board after 18 years of creative and faithful service. Colleagues and friends of Bob Dale are compiling a book…
LifeWay to open two new stores in Virginia
Two new LifeWay stores, one in Lynchburg and one in Fredericksburg are scheduled to open in the Thanksgiving to Christmas time frame. The Lynchburg store, containing 6,300 square feet, will be located on Ward's Road across from the Wal-Mart near…
MODELING CHURCH: Boston congregation working to be ‘green’
Members of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Boston, Mass., are striving to be green–when it comes to the environment, that is. And they're doing it with simple gestures like bringing their own coffee mugs to church, instead of using disposable…
Center announces 2007 Heritage Essay contest
The Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies wishes to remind all high school juniors and seniors of the second annual Roots and Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest. All entries for the contest should be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2007. First…