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…
TRENDING: Fetishizing failure?
Twenty-five years ago, Lyle Schaller told a group of ministers in North Carolina that if we wanted to stay conversant with what was happening in the country and also peek around the corner at what might be trending next, simply…
REVIEW: ‘Gravity’ opens doors to discuss the spiritual nature of grief
The story in Gravity appears to be about a space flight gone wrong. But there is much more going on here than just a movie with some exquisite special effects. The space flight becomes the stage for a much more…
OPINION: The glorious weight of gravity
Gravity is being hailed as a must-see movie. The IMAX experience is one of incredible beauty and thrilling danger. Most of us who see this movie will go for all of the tail-end-of-summer action adventure that it promises, but I…
Tax-exempt status for churches and other religious organizations has historical 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…
Endorsing political candidates endangers churches’ tax exemption
During the last election cycle, Pastor Smith included in an article for his church’s online newsletter that he personally supported a specific candidate in his bid for the Senate. Did he endanger his church’s tax-exempt status? Yes, if the Internal…
EDITORIAL: As moves go, this is a good one
As they have done for nearly two centuries, messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia will gather in annual session in Fredericksburg to celebrate successes, identify challenges, engage in worship and conduct business. This year they will consider a…
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…