Brian McLaren (“Judas, Dan Brown and Jesus,” Herald, April 27) may be correct that the current discussions about Jesus might help us rediscover the real Jesus in the canonical Gospels. My problem is his assertion that the “religious right” presents…
Preparing a church for a pastor’s departure
By Gary Chapman Editor's Note: A number of pastors in Virginia are looking ahead to that time when they will step aside from the active pastoral ministry to pursue other interests in retirement. This week we begin a three-part series…
Responding to God’s calling
By Diane Smith Virginia Baptist Mission Board Sandi Moseley has many spiritual gifts of administration, teaching and mercy. She has a passion for children and families. Moseley has responded to the request from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board to serve…
Herald to begin radio broadcast
Understanding its mission to be communicating effectively with Virginia Baptists, the Religious Herald will begin a 15-minute radio program to present and interpret various news items affecting Virginia Baptists and our larger Christian family. Programs will be aired twice weekly…
Couples married for 50-plus years offer advice in church celebration
HOUSTON (ABP) — It not only takes a village to raise a child; it takes a village to make marriage successful, some long-married Baptist couples said. Members of Houston's Tallowood Baptist Church agreed, and they recently honored 139 couples from…
Pastoral counseling a vital part of wedding plans, pastors say
ATHENS, Texas (ABP) — Like many pastors nationwide, Kyle Henderson finds great fulfillment in conducting weddings and preparing couples for marriage. And he treasures thank-you notes he receives from couples — particularly the ones he refused to marry. The wedding…
Texas law professor assigned to Rio Grande church-start probe
HOUSTON (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has engaged Brownsville attorney Diane Dillard to investigate alleged mishandling of church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley. Suspicions involve church starts in the lower Rio Grande Valley from 1996 to…
Ann Kitchens retires from Herald
For the past 12 years, Ann Kitchens has served Virginia Baptists on the staff of the Religious Herald. For many, she has been the face of the state paper as she staffed its booth at the Baptist General Association of…
Unrest among SBC conservatives may swell convention attendance
(ABP) — After a decade of steady decline, attendance at the Southern Baptist Convention is expected to jump this year, amid ripples of unrest with the current leadership and perhaps the first openly contested presidential election since 1994. Several estimates…
Virginia Baptist detective killed in line of duty
Vicky Armel made a life-changing decision about two years ago, and she wanted everyone to know it. “She kept a picture of her baptism on her desk. She was excited about her faith,” reports her pastor, Mark Jenkins, pastor of…
Volunteer reception offers chance to say ‘thank you’
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board together with Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia held a reception May 4 to thank and honor volunteers who donate hundreds of hours at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. The event was hosted by volunteer coordinator…
Sanders named minister at UVA
Leanne Sanders has been named full-time Baptist collegiate minister at the University of Virginia. Since January, Sanders has been serving in the position as a contract worker. “We are delighted that her position is now permanent,” said Susan McBride, team…