By Jeff Brumley The Central Texas city rocked by a fertilizer plant explosion took a giant leap toward recovery last week during “Loving West,” a cleanup campaign organized by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Planners with BGCT disaster recovery…
Blogger fights copyright suit
This story was edited after publishing to clarify informatin in the sixth paragraph. By Bob Allen A Baptist blogger has appealed for donations to aid a nonprofit group that is defending him against a lawsuit filed after he posted online…
Doctrinal disputes disappear in disaster
Jeff Brumley The capital “C” Church is on display in West, Texas, as Churches of Christ, Methodists, Mennonites and Baptists join together to help the Central Texas city recover from the April fertilizer plant explosion. Doctrinal controversies such as grace-vs.-works or whether the Bible is inerrant take a…
Strategy aims to transform conflict
By Bob Allen Conflict poses both danger and opportunity between individuals, congregations and nations, says Evelyn Hanneman, operations coordinator for the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. “We like to say that conflict is holy ground, because conflict does offer…
Strategy aims to transform conflict
By Bob Allen Conflict poses both danger and opportunity between individuals, congregations and nations, says Evelyn Hanneman, operations coordinator for the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. “We like to say that conflict is holy ground, because conflict does offer…
Caner sues to purge video from Web
By Bob Allen The former head of Liberty University’s seminary, demoted in 2010 after publicity over a “Jihad to Jesus” testimony that he used with evangelical audiences after 9/11, has sued two bloggers for posting video of him making claims…
Medley re-elected American Baptist head
This story was edited after posting to correct an error in the opening paragraph. By Bob Allen Roy Medley, American Baptist Churches USA general secretary since 2002, has been elected to a two-year term as head of the 1.3-million-member body meeting…
Immersed in Chinese city, CBFVA team explores ways to build bridges in strategic nation
RICHMOND — A team of clergy and laity from Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia churches have returned from a 10-day mission immersion experience in Macau to explore ways congregations can build bridges to China, a strategic nation where, despite rapid…
Keen financial grasp, strong relational skills are critical for next BGAV treasurer, say two leaders
RICHMOND — The next treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board will combine broad experience in financial management with an ability to communicate Virginia Baptists’ mission to congregations, BGAV partners and other denominational…
‘Unscrupulous individuals’ using BWA, BGAV names to obtain money illegally, leaders warn
RICHMOND — Baptist leaders are warning that “unscrupulous individuals” are using the names of Baptist World Alliance officers — including president John Upton, who also is executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia — to obtain money illegally….
In West, helpers become the helped
By Jeff Brumley It’s hard being helped when you’re used to being the helper. Just ask the folks at First Baptist Church in West, Texas. Church member Presley Landrum, 16, said she and her youth group friends are accustomed to…
John Leland Center graduates second largest class in its history
ARLINGTON, Va. — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies graduated the second largest class in its history during commencement exercises earlier this month. At the Church at Clarendon in Arlington, Va., in which Leland is located, nine students earned…