CANTERBURY, England (RNS) — When C.S. Lewis died on Nov. 22, 1963, hardly a soul blinked in Northern Ireland where he was born or in England where he spent most of his working life as one of the world’s greatest…
Church, state and taxes spark debate
By Vicki Brown Congress established the 501(c)3 tax-exempt status applicable to churches, religious organizations and ministers “in recognition of their unique status in American society,” the IRS claims in its Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations. The designation benefits…
Baylor keeps homosexuality ban
By Bob Allen Baylor University’s student body president has vetoed a resolution to drop a ban on homosexuality from the university’s code of conduct. Baylor’s Student Senate voted last week to drop “homosexual acts” from the university’s sexual misconduct code…
Youth worker accused of molesting girl
By Bob Allen Members of a Florida Southern Baptist church expressed shock and dismay at Wednesday’s arrest of a lifelong church member and trusted volunteer with youth and the choir on charges of sexual battery against a child. William Allen…
Bluefield College among few to earn ‘A’ rating from ACTA
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Bluefield College has achieved something only one other college in Virginia has done: garnered an “A” rating from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for an outstanding general education program, a prestigious recognition reserved for only…
HERITAGE: On sailing: unfurling and taking in
The Baptist General Association of Virginia will consider its Governance Study Committee report at its annual meeting in Fredericksburg. The plan replaces a large board composed primarily of representatives of district associations to a small governing board of 15-20 persons…
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 Cameron R. Edgar, to…
Tax-exempt status for churches: What’s the context?
Because of a senator’s action in 1954, churches have been included with certain other tax-exempt organizations restricted from electioneering — publicly endorsing or working against candidates for political office. The prohibition against political campaign intervention by nonprofits that qualify under…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Wanted: Adaptable leaders
We’ve had a failure to adapt. That’s the view of America’s military leadership from World War II to the present, in Tom Ricks’ detailed study, The Generals. The nature and tactics of war changed after World War II and Korea,…
VITAL SIGNS: The conversation we do not want to have
Our current economy, coupled with the ongoing transitions in congregational life and ministry focus, have combined to create intense pressure on church staffing models. With finances tight, congregations are being forced to take stock of the number of professional staff…
WINN RECOMMENDS: Books that matter
Pastrix, by Nadia Bolz-Weber (Jericho Books) I once heard Nadia Bolz-Weber on a radio interview, walking the show’s host through a tour of her (very) many tattoos, the ones covering her from her shoulders to her wrists. “Even the ill-advised…
LETTER: An important omission
I was disappointed to note that your article on Poplar Springs Baptist Church in the Sept. 23 issue made no mention of the Shereda family who have been such an important part of that church’s history as well as of…