OPINION: The pope, the world and our kids Michael Poole The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none…
OPINION: Are there membership boundaries for the Richmond Baptist Association?
At the March 19 meeting of the Richmond Baptist Association concerning Ginter Park Baptist Church, I spoke in opposition to the recommendation that was passed. The next night Beth Wright, director of the RBA’s children’s summer camp, spoke at our…
VITAL SIGNS: Cultivating a culture of call
Nearly all observers of the 21st-century church in America agree that the next generation of leadership is a cause for concern. Many write, blog, tweet and generally lament the state of leadership cultivation and training, or lack thereof. Far too…
EDITORIAL: Rightly dividing the word of truth
As you can read here, the Richmond Baptist Association voted on Tuesday evening, March 19, 2013, “to embrace Ginter Park Baptist Church as a sister church.” As many have pointed out, the vote was not a ringing endorsement of ordaining…
Baptists hopeful about new pope
By Jeff Brumley Baptists reacting to this week’s installation of Pope Francis voiced hope about his record for improving relations between Catholics and Protestants, his concern for the poor and the face he puts on the broader Christian community for non-believers. Alan Rudnick, pastor…
Ky. settles Baptist home lawsuit
By Bob Allen A long-running legal battle over taxpayer funding of a Baptist children’s home in Kentucky may have ended with a March 12 settlement of a 13-year-old lawsuit filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and…
Baptist group keeps gay-friendly church
By Robert Dilday A Baptist church in Virginia kicked out of its state organization for ordaining a gay man to the ministry last fall retained membership in its local association March 19. Richmond Baptist Association voted 176-158 to “embrace Ginter…
Church joins faith-based initiative in assisting U.S. military family on Northern Neck
HEATHSVILLE, Va. — A rural congregation on Virginia’s Northern Neck may seem to be an unlikely location for an outreach and support program for the U. S. military, but through Partners in Care, a faith-based initiative which collaborates with the…
Richmond association narrowly votes to retain membership of church which ordained gay man
RICHMOND — By a close margin, the Richmond Baptist Association voted March 19 to retain the membership of a church which ordained a gay man to the ministry last fall. The 176-158 vote endorsed a committee’s recommendation that the association…
OPINION: Drowning in process
Inspiration and passion are tricky things. We need them to create, to write, to have meaningful interactions with our family, our friends and our world. Inspiration and passion are key ingredients to making us feel alive. We are excited by…
TRENDING: What in the world are we doing in worship?
Mike Breen’s “State of the Evangelical Union” blog highlights a trend that should be part of every evangelical community. That is, how does worship impact mission? How do worship leaders function as mission leaders? Taken seriously, this conversation would affect…
OPINION: Baptists and Buddhists
The Richmond Baptist Association voted March 19 to maintain fellowship with Ginter Park Baptist Church, a church that recently ordained an openly gay man to the ministry. The vote was close — very close — but it was enough to…