Life is full of events which remind us how far we are, at times, from the peaceful kingdom promised to us by Jesus. For the last week, so many of us have been saddened by the bombing of the Boston…
OPINION: Living and deadly worship
In Living Theatre, we would each day approach the rehearsal putting yesterday’s discoveries to the test, ready to believe that the true play has once again escaped us. But the Deadly Theatre approaches the classics from the viewpoint that somewhere,…
TRENDING: ‘Virginia Baptist’ to ‘General Association’
Ten years ago, American prophet and all-time dean of church consultants Lyle Schaller wrote one of my favorite of his 96 books. From Geography to Affinity: How Congregations Can Learn From One Another was a prescient look at the fundamental…
OPINION: On questioning God
I’ve often heard folks — good, churchgoing folk s— say something like, “I know we’re not supposed to question God, but ….” And then they unload a perplexing theological question or a life situation for which they have been unable…
British faith groups reclaim St. George
By Bob Allen The Baptist Union of Great Britain joined other faith groups in a letter reclaiming St. George’s Day, celebrated April 23, from right-wing group’s using England’s patron saint to promote Islamophobia and hatred. “We want to promote a…
Author proposes end to interfaith hostility
By Bob Allen In his 2012 book, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?, emergent church author Brian McLaren purposely evokes an old joke about, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But instead of introducing…
Baptists, Muslims meet for dialogue
By Vicki Brown Baptists and Muslims discussed understanding, intentionality and service in a dialogue April 20 at Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie Village, Kan. “In light of recent events in Boston, it is even more urgent that we grow in…
Baptists, Muslims meet for dialogue
By Vicki Brown Baptists and Muslim discussed understanding, intentionality and service in a dialogue April 20 at Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie Village, Kan. “In light of recent events in Boston, it is even more urgent that we grow in…
Muslim students meet Baptist hospitality
By Barbara Francis An act of hospitality for college students volunteering for service during spring break turned into an unplanned experience in interfaith relations for a Baptist church in Roanoke, Va. Grandin Court Baptist Church Pastor Kevin Meadows said it…
Georgetown prez search narrowed to 3
By Bob Allen Georgetown College in Kentucky announced three finalists April 23 in a search for a new president to replace retiring President William Crouch, who steps down June 30 after 22 years. According to a news release, the three…
BGAV’s unwieldy governing structure must be ‘modified or replaced,’ says study committee
RICHMOND — Baptist General Association of Virginia governing structures are “too large, cumbersome and disjointed to be efficient and effective” and must be “modified or replaced,” says a committee authorized last fall to propose changes in the way the 190-year-old…
Richmond church aims to bring Kingdom of Heaven to its community through year-long ‘mission trip’
RICHMOND — If you are one of those people who likes to decipher custom license plates, here’s one for you: KOH2RVA. It’s an acronym for “Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond, Virginia” and if you happen to spot this plate you’re…