By Jim White Like a beguiling butterfly, 80-something year-young Maxine (Mackie) Bersch demonstrated her story-telling expertise by flitting from scene to scene, keeping me on the edge of my seat as she told her own story. Born in Clay County,…
Bethany celebrates 235 years of ministry
By John Mann Bethany Baptist Church celebrated its 235th anniversary on Sept. 11 with a day-long celebration. The church was founded in the Guinea area of Caroline County in 1770. By 1800, the congregation had relocated to its present site…
Birth control, not liberalism, explains mainline decline, researchers say
CHICAGO (ABP) — The decline of mainline church membership over the last century had more to do with sex than theology, according to research by a trio of sociologists. The popular notion that conservative churches are growing because mainline churches…
Kentucky leaders negotiate plan to let Georgetown elect own trustees
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) — Officials of Georgetown College and the Kentucky Baptist Convention are proposing a new working relationship that would allow the college to have a self-perpetuating board of trustees while maintaining historic ties between the two organizations. The…
Coordinating Council votes to add ‘Jesus’ language to CBF constitution
ATLANTA (ABP) — National leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship voted Oct. 14 to restore explicit references to Jesus deleted from the group's constitution in July. A preamble to the constitution was approved by the CBF Coordinating Council with little…
New stem-cell procedures could quell fears — or create new ones
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Scientists have successfully tested two new methods designed to achieve the same ends as embryonic stem-cell research while avoiding the ethical controversy over the destruction of embryos. The two methods are detailed in articles published Oct. 16…
Questionnaire reveals Miers’ support for anti-abortion law in 1989
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Documents made public Oct. 18 reveal that Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers supported a constitutional amendment in 1989 that would ban most abortions. The revelation is almost certain to make her already troubled confirmation much more difficult….
Classified Ads for October 20, 2005
Full-time Pastor: Bealton Baptist Church is currently seeking a full-time pastor. This church is located in a rapidly growing bedroom community in Fauquier County and has a membership of 150. Send résumés to Lonnie Harris, Bealton Baptist Church, P. O….
Church & People News for October 20, 2005
Staff Changes Robert Johnson, to Black Branch Church, Chase City, as pastor. Jeffrey W. Perry, to Riverdale Church, Roanoke, as pastor. John Etcher, to Ivy Memorial Church, Hampton, as pastor. Roc Collins, resigning as pastor of First Church, Gate City,…