By Bob Allen The head of the Baptist Union of Great Britain issued a statement Dec. 18 mourning “the horrific loss of life” in the Dec. 14 elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., and calling for stronger gun control in…
OPINION: From somewhere to everywhere and back again
Many of my friends know that, at best, I am a “low-church” liturgist. A few years ago, most of the rigidity of the liturgical calendar was more binding than loosing to me — both as a pastor and as a…
Church declines to leave BGAV
By Bob Allen A Virginia Baptist church under fire for ordaining an openly gay man to the ministry has turned down an offer to withdraw voluntarily from the Baptist General Association of Virginia, setting the stage for its dismissal from…
At holidays, churches ready for ‘CEOs’
By Ken Camp Christmas provides churches with a rare opportunity to touch the lives of those on the fringes of congregational life, the Christmas-and-Easter-only worshippers. Some roll out the red carpet for what ministers jokingly refer to as the “CEOs.”…
Accused child predator must stand trial
By Bob Allen A Mississippi judge ruled Dec. 18 that the state’s statute of limitations does not prevent prosecution of a former Southern Baptist music minister charged with molesting five boys in the early 1980s. Hinds County Circuit Judge Bill…
Churches grieve Sandy Hook shootings
By Bob Allen Pastor Jason Coker opened his third Sunday in Advent sermon at Wilton Baptist Church, written earlier in the week, with words describing irrepressible joy. “Circumstances dictate change,” Coker told parishioners Dec. 16 before switching gears to preach…
Churches grieve Sandy Hook shootings
By Bob Allen Pastor Jason Coker opened his third Sunday in Advent sermon at Wilton Baptist Church with words describing irrepressible joy written early in the week. “Circumstances dictate change,” Coker told parishioners Dec. 16 before switching gears to preach…
OPINION: The real question in the homosexual debate
Recently, as I was nearing the end of my weekly walk through the Religious Herald, I came across Drexel Rayford’s opinion piece in which he charged the Baptist General Association of Virginia with having a “Galileo moment.” I confess that…
OPINION: Whispering the sacred songs
A few weeks ago I had the rare opportunity to sing next to my daughter during Sunday morning worship. She loves to sing, and reads well for her age, but she is not capable of reading fast enough to sing…
CBF leader blasts Westboro Baptist Church
By Bob Allen The moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship denounced plans by Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., to picket a vigil for victims of Friday’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. “The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, of which I am…
UK Baptist school gets new leader
By Bob Allen Spurgeon’s College, the largest of seven colleges affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain, has chosen a new principal to succeed Nigel Wright, who is retiring next August after 13 years in the post. He will…
Huckabee blames tragedy on God’s absence
By Bob Allen Former presidential candidate turned talk-show host Mike Huckabee stood by controversial comments blaming the deadly Dec. 14 shootings in Connecticut on the lack of religion in public schools. The day 27 people, including 20 children, died in…