Everywhere I look, I see transitions underway as we close out 2013. Whether it be friends in the news business, local congregations, ministers in transition, my own employment situation or significant family transitions, everyone is undergoing some sort of change….
Ruling removes what has been called the most important tax benefit available to ministers
(ABP) — A federal judge said Nov. 23 that an IRS rule allowing clergy to avoid paying taxes on a part of their income designated as a housing allowance violates the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state. Senior United…
Bible Belt Baptists can learn from small Baptist minorities overseas
If they have ears to hear, Baptists in places like the United States’ Bible Belt, where Christianity is the norm, can learn lessons from Baptist minorities in other parts of the world, Baptist World Alliance leaders insist. Many Baptists in…
Humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy bolster Baptist witness
Aid and advocacy create a positive witness for Baptists globally, leaders of the Baptist World Alliance noted. When Raimundo Barreto, director of the BWA division of freedom and justice, was in Vietnam a couple of years ago, a government official…
EDITORIAL: Parting words
As I write this I am sitting in the pastor’s study of Williamsburg Baptist Church, where I am serving as interim pastor. Outside the window a large red-tailed hawk stands like a sentinel in a stout, leafless walnut tree growing…
Baptists admire, mourn Mandela
By Jeff Brumley Huge voices, including past and present world leaders, are flooding the web with praise for Nelson Mandela, saying he showed the world how love can overcome hate. Other voices are speaking up, too, turning to social media…
Calvinists plan student mission confab
By Bob Allen Students of the New Calvinism movement identified by titles including “young, restless and reformed” will head to Louisville, Ky., during Christmas break for a missions conference organized “for the global purpose of magnifying the kingly majesty of…
Arkansas Baptists oppose medical pot
By Bob Allen Arkansas Baptists urged voters to oppose two medical marijuana law proposals that supporters are trying to get on the state’s general election ballot in Nov. 2014 with a statement calling the idea “poor policy” that is “based…
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Accepted a new call? Been ordained? Church celebrating an anniversary? Mission trip or project that you would like highlighted on the HeraldBeat page? Send info to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at [email protected]. Transitions ON THE MOVE David Williamson, to County…
Baptists celebrate Judsons in Burma
By Bob Allen Baptists from the United States and around the world traveled this week to Myanmar to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the arrival of an American Baptist missionary credited with bringing Christianity to the country in Southeast Asia…
A passion to serve Liberian Baptists
By Jeff Brumley Richard Wilson’s 10th journey to Liberia won’t be the usual Mercer on Mission trip that he’s used to. This time he’s going back as president of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary near Monrovia. Wilson, chairman of Mercer University’s…
Prof cites rights violations at border
By Bob Allen The greatest human-rights violation in the United States is happening along the border, a Baptist ethicist said in a weekend radio interview about congressional inaction on immigration reform. Miguel De La Torre, professor of social ethics and…