The outpouring of private charity to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina and two sister storms now ranks as the most generous in American history, surpassing donations after Sept. 11, according to researchers who track philanthropy. Americans have donated about…
SBC ethics pioneer Foy Valentine dies
Pioneer Baptist ethicist Foy Valentine died suddenly Jan. 7 of an apparent heart attack, family members said. He was 82. A native Texan and Dallas resident, Valentine was executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention's former Christian Life Commission in…
Oklahoma pastor resigns after arrest
Lonnie Latham, pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa, Okla., was arrested the night of Jan. 3 in Oklahoma City for “offering to engage in an act of lewdness” according to charges published in various wire reports. In an…
Robertson remarks draw criticism
Religious leaders have condemned comments by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson of Chesapeake implying that God’s “enmity” had caused Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s recent stroke. “Sharon was personally a very likable person and I am sad to see him in…
Pastor looking for mission stories
A retired Virginia Baptist pastor is seeking experiences of mission volunteers to be compiled into a resource for churches. Ray Allen, retired pastor of Blacksburg Baptist Church in Blacksburg and a mission volunteer himself, is collecting “interesting, inspiring or humorous”…
Applicants sought for Heritage Fellows
The Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies is seeking applicants for the 2006-07 class of Heritage Fellows. The Heritage Fellows program provides an opportunity for Baptist sophomores and juniors, attending Virginia schools, a chance to learn about some aspect of…
Disaster relief gifts led to 2005 shortfall
Virginia Baptists’ gifts to disaster relief totalled more than $2.5 million in fiscal 2005, but the generous outpouring contributed in part to a budget shortfall of almost $665,000 last year, according to the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s treasurer’s office….
IMB seeks removal of blogging trustee, accuses Wade Burleson of ‘broken trust’
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board will seek to remove a member of their board, apparently for posting information about the board's deliberations on his weblog. Oklahoma pastor Wade Burleson has been outspoken…
Alito faces more abortion questions, broaches church-state issues
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite further intense questioning on the third day of his confirmation hearings, Samuel Alito revealed little of his views on abortion or other controversial constitutional questions, including church-state relations, Jan. 11. Alito, currently a judge on the…
Classified Ads for January 12, 2006
Full-time Pastor: First Baptist Church of Staunton is seeking a full-time senior pastor. We are a 150-year-old church with 270 resident members located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. We are an SBC and CBF-affiliated church. Send résumés and references by…
Ethics pioneer Foy Valentine dies suddenly in Dallas
Editor's note: This article updates and corrects the one issued Sat., Jan. 7. DALLAS (ABP) — Pioneer Baptist ethicist Foy Valentine died suddenly Jan. 7 of an apparent heart attack, family members said. He was 82. A native Texan and…
Alito hearings begin with emphasis placed squarely on abortion rights
WASHINGTON (ABP) — While senators waxed eloquent on many of their pet issues during the opening day of confirmation hearings for President Bush's nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, one hit the primary issue on…