ATLANTA (ABP) — This year's general assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship promises to answer the challenge Coordinator Daniel Vestal gave at last year's meeting — a challenge to face head-on the issues of poverty, social justice, diversity and mercy….
Mercer Press to begin filling gap in kids’ Sunday school literature
MACON, Ga. (ABP) — In an attempt to meet needs and re-connect with its Baptist constituency, the publishing arm of Mercer University will begin offering children's Sunday school literature this fall. The move, according to Mercer University Press officials, is…
Suspect arrested after fire destroys church buildings in rural Kentucky
OLNEY, Ky. (ABP) — Lafayette Baptist Church, a rural Kentucky congregation that dates back to the late 1800s, lost its church facility in an apparent arson attack May 20. The fire, reportedly set early Saturday morning, was not discovered until…
Not cruel or ignorant
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…
ANOTHER VIEW: Always preach for commitment — and expect a response
Another View for May 4, 2005 By Rick Warren Baptist Press When we were getting ready for the first service of Saddleback Church 26 years ago, I planned to extend a traditional “come forward” altar call at the end of…
Fashion, faith promote success for down-and-out women
ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — For Jean Cullen, the national coordinator of the Christian Women's Job Corps, success starts on the inside — and must be reflected on the outside as well. Cullen, who heads the national organization aimed at teaching…