Another View for Feb. 10, 2005 By Dan Carlton Vacation Bible School has proven to be an effective growth strategy for Spring Hill Baptist Church, in Albemarle County just south of the Greene County line. This area has experienced rapid…
In praise of Vacation Bible School
Another View for Feb. 10, 2005 By Becky Johnson I'm flying high. Literally, the plane on which I'm riding as I write this is cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet. However, in a different sense, I'm flying high with…
Church & People News for Feb. 10, 2005
S T A F F • C H A N G E S J. D. Harmon, to Kearfoot Memorial Church, Martinsville, as pastor. Chris Musick, to Swords Creek Church, Swords Creek, as pastor. David Hess, resigning as pastor of Buckroe…
Conservative Episcopalians support church breakaway bill in Virginia
Conservative Episcopalians have come out in support of a proposed Virginia law that would allow them to leave the denomination and take their church property with them. The proposed law, if passed, would allow churches in the country's largest Episcopal…
Bush touts BWAid, other relief groups during National Prayer Breakfast
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush praised the relief arm of the Baptist World Alliance and other religious groups as exemplifying a faith-based spirit of generosity during the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3. Speaking to thousands of influential participants — members…
Tsunami prompts redeployment of some CBF missionaries
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is redeploying some of its missions personnel to address tsunami relief needs. Many missionaries of the Atlanta-based Fellowship have relief-related skills to handle water purification and agricultural needs, medical needs, and the logistical…
Time magazine names several Baptists among ’25 most influential evangelicals’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — At least seven Baptists are among Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. The magazine devotes the cover of its Feb. 7 issue to the subject of evangelical Protestants in America and their…
California Baptists assist victims of floods, mudslides
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — California Baptist disaster-relief teams were busy in January aiding flood and mudslide victims after three back-to-back rainstorms soaked normally dry Southern California. For more than a week, a disaster-relief crew worked out of a kitchen site…
Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Ernesto serves as a deacon at a Hispanic Baptist church in Austin. His wife, Maria, works in various ministries at the church. And like 1.1 million other people in Texas and more than 9.3 million in…
To churches, immigration is about more than policy
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Immigration is not just a political issue — it's about churches and ministry, said Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission. “So many of our…
What can churches do legally to help illegal immigrants?
Q. Can a church get in trouble for helping an undocumented immigrant? A. It depends on the kind of help offered. A church is free to provide basic benevolence services — food, clothing, shelter and medical help — to anyone….
Dallas Willard says false gospel leads to nominal Christians
IRVING, Texas (ABP) — By teaching forgiveness without discipleship, many churches are distorting Christ's message and creating “nominal Christians,” according to author and professor Dallas Willard. Pastors are preaching alternative “gospels” that do not reflect the true meaning of Christ's…