This month churches across Virginia will focus on mission in North America, as they collect offerings for the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board and for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's MissionConnect emphasis. By Joe Westbury With the deft skill…
Moderate Baptists looking for ‘something to get excited about’
ATLANTA (ABP) — Southern Baptists account for roughly half of all U.S. Baptists — about 16 million people — and thus get most of the attention. The other half also represents a significant presence in America, but they lack a…
Mission at home – CBF
This month churches across Virginia will focus on mission in North America, as they collect offerings for the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board and for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's MissionConnect emphasis. By Carla Wynn Through hanging sheetrock, installing…
European leader urges U.S. Baptists not to export conflict, viewpoint
ATLANTA (ABP) — A prominent European Baptist leader cautioned U.S. Baptists not to export their disputes or manipulate Baptists worldwide into their way of thinking. “We should be very careful how we are pulling the ropes in our mission work,…
BTSR sets record for enrollment
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has a record number of students enrolled this semester, according to Ellen Gwathmey, the school's registrar. “For the second semester of the 2004-05 school year, we have 325 students enrolled for classes,” she announced. This…
Baptists must recover commitments to preaching, leadership, Shurden says
ATLANTA (ABP) — Baptists need to recover their commitment to evangelism, preaching and pastoral leadership, which were de-emphasized during the conflict over fundamentalism in the Southern Baptist Convention, said historian Walter Shurden. “Baptists will not see a new day until…
Religious liberty panel observes 50th year
The Baptist General Association of Virginia's religious liberty committee marks its 50th anniversary this year. The BGAV is the only Baptist state convention with a standing committee focused on religious liberty, according to Fred Anderson, executive director of the Virginia…
Schiavo’s parents ask judge to let her divorce husband
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) – In another attempt to keep their daughter alive, Terri Schiavo's parents asked a judge in Pinellas County Feb. 28 to allow her to divorce her husband, effectively taking away his right to make decisions on her…
Georgia churches look to Virginia for affiliation by ‘affinity’
By Robert Dilday First Baptist Church of Rome, Ga., is considering ending its affiliation with the Georgia Baptist Convention and joining the Baptist General Association of Virginia, whose Richmond headquarters are 600 miles away. And two other north Georgia churches…
Georgia churches look to Virginia for affiliation by ‘affinity’
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — First Baptist Church of Rome, Ga., is considering ending its affiliation with the Georgia Baptist Convention and joining the Baptist General Association of Virginia, whose Richmond headquarters are 600 miles away. And two other North Georgia…
Investment in Columbine movie comes up empty for NAMB
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (ABP) — Five years after paying for the right to make a movie about the Columbine massacre, the North American Mission Board has nothing to show for its investment. The movie about Christian student Cassie Bernall, one of…
Observance of Lent varies among Christian traditions
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — Jay Wolf, pastor of First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., recently had a conversation with his youngest daughter about the season leading up to Easter. “Some members of her class were considering giving up chewing gum…