By Bob Allen A high-profile British Baptist minister has stepped forward as the first prominent evangelical in the UK to speak out in support of faithful and monogamous same-sex relationships. Steve Chalke, 57, an ordained Baptist minister who in 1985…
New charges filed in abuse lawsuit
By Bob Allen Five new anonymous plaintiffs have joined the three original litigants in a lawsuit alleging a cover-up of sexual abuse by a church-planting network with ties to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. New allegations in an…
Despite drop in numbers identifying with faith, God is alive and well in U.S., says Gallup chief
(RNS) — Despite a deep drop in the number of Americans who identify with a particular faith, the country could be on the cusp of a religious renaissance, says Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of The Gallup Poll. Grounded in more than…
What’s more influential in shaping a church’s ministry — God or money? The answer matters.
Ask a Christian whether God or money concerns determine how a church operates. Most likely, the response would be: “Of course, God does.” But John L. and Sylvia Ronsvalle believe the answer may not be as clear-cut as most Christians…
For Christians, the tithe may be more theory than practice, say some observers
The issue of tithing — traditionally understood as 10 percent — has perplexed churchgoers for years. Interpretation and denominational practice usually set the tone for givers, often with tension between giving as law or “old covenant” or as grace under…
Faith leaders call for tighter gun control
By Bob Allen Forty-seven faith leaders representing 80 million Americans joined Jan. 15 in a letter calling on members of Congress to take immediate action to prevent gun violence in the United States. The letter — made public a month…
Sunday school worker charged with abuse
By Bob Allen Christopher Ryan Crossno, 22, a former Sunday school teacher at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tenn., was indicted by the January 2013 Montgomery County Grand Jury on one count of aggravated sexual battery. A press release…
Wendell Berry expounds on gay marriage
This news story originally ran on Jan. 14, 2013. Christian opponents to same-sex marriage want the government to treat homosexuals as a special category of persons subject to discrimination, similar to the way that African-Americans and women were categorized in…
10-member committee named to study Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s governance
RICHMOND — A 10-member committee to study the structure of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s governing board was named Jan. 8. Carl Johnson, the Mission Board’s chair who also serves as president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, unveiled…
2012 gifts from BGAV churches exceed 2011 by over $22,000, reach 98% of budget
RICHMOND — Churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia funded 98 percent of the BGAV’s 2012 budget, the group’s chief finance officer announced Jan. 8. Contributions to the BGAV’s Cooperative Missions budget totalled $12,163,511 last year, just shy…
Jean Woodward, former president of BGAV and WMUV, dies at 88
MOUNT VERNON, Va. — Jean Nelson Woodward, 88, died Jan. 7 in a hospice care center in Northern Virginia. For the past nine years she was a resident of Sunrise in Mount Vernon, Va. Woodward Woodward was president of…
LETTER: BGAV’s action creates new Baptist challenge
The Baptist General Association of Virginia’s precedent in response to Ginter Park Baptist Church’s ordination creates a brand-new challenge for Virginia Baptists. In acting to “disfellowship” from Ginter Park over its decision to ordain a particular member, the BGAV has…