Sometimes, pastors need a place to get away, a place to go where they can recharge between sermons and committee meetings and the like. They need a sanctuary from the sanctuary — a space where they can delve into Scripture, pray…
Baptist peace group affirms Black Lives Matter
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America-Bautistas por la Paz, the world’s largest network of Baptist peacemakers with members in four countries, has issued a statement of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. “It is past time for an…
WMU names new leader
Sandra Wisdom-Martin, leader of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas since 2010, has been named eighth executive director of the national women’s auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention founded in 1888. Wisdom-Martin, who served as women’s missions and ministries director for…
Messy partnerships between churches, ministries can transform lives, say field personnel
Grace and Main Fellowship is an ecumenical, grassroots community development and social justice ministry located in the heart of Danville, Va. Ascension Lutheran Church is a traditional, predominantly white ELCA congregation located nearby. “These are two organizations that would probably…
New president at Arkansas Baptist College vows to help school reach its potential
Arkansas Baptist College has selected a scholar nationally known for his commitment to social justice and community service as successor to Fitz Hill, the current president credited with rescuing the historically black college on the verge of bankruptcy when he…
Minister learns hard lesson: offer professional help for mental health
As Joe Padilla visits with pastors and church leaders about mental health, he often finds hearts willing to help but ill-equipped to do so. After walking through his own personal journey when his wife was diagnosed as bipolar, Padilla realized the church needed…
Change is an inside job — for both congregations and individuals, say coaches
The experience of guiding churches through challenges and change feels a lot like helping individuals through the same process, say consultants.
Transitions for the week of 07.29.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES David and Judy Bailey, to Oakland Baptist Church, Gum Spring, Va., as interim pastors. Shana Bailey, to First…
BWA, Catholics to resume dialog in 2017
Baptists and Catholics will launch a third round of theological conversations in 2017, the Baptist World Alliance has reported. The announcement followed talks between the BWA and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
School voucher program compromises religious liberty, says BJC
Funneling taxpayer funds to religious schools through a voucher program compromises religious liberty, according to a brief filed at the Nevada Supreme Court and joined by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.
Apocalyptic obsession that inspired ‘Left Behind’ series also fueling Trump support, ministers say
If nothing else, the best selling “Left Behind” series, first published in 1995, was well-timed. The entire culture was preoccupied with big endings and scary changes.
J. Harwood Cochrane, benefactor to Baptist causes, dies at 103
J. Harwood Cochrane, a Virginian whose fortune from a trucking empire supported numerous Baptist causes as well as the arts, died July 26 at 103.