HOUSTON (ABP) — Growing disagreements over the role of Calvinism will make the Southern Baptist Convention stronger, not weaker, as long as its focus remains on evangelism, members of an advisory team commissioned to study the topic told hundreds in…
Called the ‘guy we need on the scene,’ Fred Luter reelected convention president
HOUSTON (BP) — Fred Luter Jr., pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, was re-elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention June 11. Luter, whose historic election in 2012 as the SBC’s first African-American president was a milestone…
SBC urges action on mental health, resolving to provide ‘biblical counsel’ for people with disorders
HOUSTON (ABP) — Compared to Southern Baptist Convention resolutions on the Boy Scouts and protection of children from sex predators, the one urging churches to develop intentional, compassionate ministries for the mentally ill got scant attention from local and national…
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 Joey Tucker, to Mount…
Do Baptist annual meetings have a future?
’Tis the season for Baptist annual meetings. But will declining numbers, the expense of gathering people for face-to-face encounters and rapid advances in technology soon mean the demise of the rite? Not necessarily and probably not anytime soon. Fellowship and…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Church governing documents: Are they necessary?
Baptists have always placed a high priority on starting new churches. As the new churches come into being, one of the questions they face is what kind of governing documents they need. In Baptist circles, four kinds of governing documents…
In spite of declining attendance and increasing costs, leaders say annual meetings have a future
’Tis the season for Baptist annual meetings. But will declining numbers, the expense of gathering people for face-to-face encounters and rapid advances in technology soon mean the demise of the rite? Not necessarily and probably not anytime soon. Fellowship and…
Denominations: Dying or transforming into something new?
Do Baptist annual meetings matter if denominations themselves are dying? Some leaders believe denominationalism isn’t dying, but rather is undergoing metamorphosis. Those willing and flexible enough to change still will need the community and networking annual meetings offer. “Denominationalism is…
SBC messengers learn to get along
By Jeff Brumley Southern Baptists experienced little antagonism during their annual convention in Houston this week – a phenomenon that surprised some and delighted most SBC officials and messengers. There were plenty of opportunities for controversy. Debates ensued – but…
BJC names communication head
By Bob Allen Cherilyn Crowe, the associate director of communications for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty since 2009, has been promoted to department director. Crowe worked nine years as a producer for NewsChannel 5 Network (WTVF-TV) in Nashville,…
Glorieta sold to camping group
Two years after offering the cash-strapped Glorieta Conference Center for sale for $1, LifeWay Christian Resources found a new buyer with plans to continue use as a Christian camp and retreat center. LifeWay Christian Resources has found a buyer for…
SBC pastor preaches mental health
By Jeff Brumley Compared to Southern Baptist Convention resolutions on the Boy Scouts and protection of children from sex predators, the one urging churches to develop intentional, compassionate ministries for the mentally ill got scant attention from local and national…