By Chris Meehan Bill Hybels stepped onto the stage at Willow Creek Community Church to give a sermon on money management. But the senior pastor of this trend-setting, Chicago-area congregation was not offering a fund-raising message asking the faithful to…
Miller named Eagle Eyrie director
Rod Miller had been named director of Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center. Miller, who has been acting director of Virginia Baptists' conference center near Lynchburg since September 2003, was elected by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's executive committee during its…
California judge rules in favor of same-sex marriage
SAN FRANCISCO (ABP) — A California trial judge has said a state law banning same-sex marriage violates the California Constitution. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled March 14 that a state law — first passed by California legislators…
INDIA & VIRGINIA BAPTISTS: Visit to India changes one’s perspective
By Kristen Fogg In our wealthy American society the words “back to school” refer to a time of consumerism at its finest. Parents shell out hundreds of dollars buying their children new clothes, new shoes, new backpacks, new notebooks, new…
Eminent Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz dead at 55
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (ABP) — One of the world's best-known Baptist theologians died suddenly and unexpectedly March 12. Stanley Grenz, a professor at the evangelical Carey Theological College in Vancouver, died shortly after experiencing a “massive brain hemorrhage,” according to…
Top 100 churches in total Virginia Cooperative Program gifts
First Baptist Church in Alexandria led churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia last year in contributions to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Program. Rounding out the top 10 churches in total Virginia CP gifts were Beulah…
Baptist Center for Ethics director Parham diagnosed with acute leukemia
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The head of a moderate Baptist ethics and educational agency has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Robert Parham, founding executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, according to a…
Georgia church votes to join BGAV
First Baptist Church of Rome, Ga., voted March 13 to join the Baptist General Association of Virginia. The church had earlier announced it was considering the move, which was endorsed by 95 percent of the congregational vote. The action followed…
Georgia church votes to affiliate with Virginia convention
ROME, Ga. (ABP) — A Georgia church has voted to leave its state convention and affiliate with another statewide body more in line with its theological stance — but headquartered nearly 600 miles away. On March 13, First Baptist Church…