(ABP) — They sound off during formal dinners, in restaurants, at the movies and even in churches. They’ve become the bane of every public speaker. The dreaded cell phones. As technology has given us the ability to reach out and…
Proposal would nix N.C.’s giving options
(ABP) — A North Carolina Baptist leader will propose scrapping the optional funding plans that are part of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s budget, which would eliminate funding of causes popular among moderate Baptists in the state. Ted…
BJC receives $100,000 for lecture series
(ABP) — A Baptist historian and his wife have given the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty a large gift to establish a lectureship on church-state issues. The Washington-based BJC announced the $100,000 gift from Walter and Kay Shurden of…
County clears church’s housing project
A $38-million proposal by First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington to develop an affordable housing complex was approved Oct. 23 by the Arlington County board. The Views of Clarendon, a unique mixed-use church and residential development project, will create…
Baptist leaders join other Christians in launching global anti-poverty project
The Baptist World Alliance is among some 260 Christian relief and development agencies that launched an ambitious global anti-poverty campaign Oct. 15. Paul Montacute, director of Baptist World Aid, joined other representatives for the launching ceremony of the Micah Challenge…
Nadia Bolz-Weber speaks at Baptist church
By Bob Allen Trends like the waning influence of denominations and rise of the religious “nones” don’t mean that churches should abandon their denominational identity, author and Lutheran church planter Nadia Bolz-Weber said Tuesday evening at Calvary Baptist Church in…
BWA leader advocates Christian unity
By Jeff Brumley A Baptist and Eastern Orthodox leader spoke on the aspirations and challenges inherent in Christian unity Tuesday during the 10th assembly of the World Council of Churches being held in Busan, South Korea. Neville Callam, general secretary of…
Baptists regard nukes as moral issue
By Bob Allen Baptists worldwide will discuss nuclear power as a human rights issue when the Baptist World Alliance observes World Human Rights Day the weekend of Dec. 7-8. This year’s observance, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the…
Lean on other Christians — It’s biblical
The Bible offers the key ingredient Christians — laypeople, ministers and church leaders alike — need to help them learn to lean upon one another. Each believer is a necessary and vital part of the body of Christ. Robert Creech,…
Why is it so hard for Christians to learn to lean on others?
The old hymn, Learning to Lean, encourages Christians to learn to lean on Jesus when they face life’s difficulties. Believers today emphasize being God’s hands and feet to minister to the world. But how many believers allow brothers and sisters…
Five suggestions for pastoral self-care
Charles Chandler, founder of the Ministering to Ministers Foundation, gives five suggestions of pastoral self-care. • Develop an informal feedback group within the congregation. Pastors should choose just a few that they can trust and whom other members talk to….
Ministers are not able to leap tall buildings or stop bullets
Charles Chandler can joke about preachers suffering from “Superman syndrome” since he portrayed the “Man of Steel” when Metropolis, Ill., claimed the status as the superhero’s hometown. The first “Superman” for the city’s annual celebration, Chandler, now director of the…