The night before, Almighty God, creator of the universe, had stepped into actual human existence in that baby boy’s birth. Countless times we have taken our places as spectators in the sanitized stable soon after Jesus was born. The young…
Two Baptist churches recognized for contributions to affordable housing in Washington suburbs
ARLINGTON, Va. — Two Baptist congregations in Washington’s Northern Virginia suburbs have been recognized for their contributions to affordable-housing efforts in the region. The Church at Clarendon sits in the heart of one of metropolitan Washington’s most densely packed neighborhoods….
Solar project proposed at Ridgecrest
By Bob Allen A public hearing is scheduled Jan. 9 on a massive solar-energy project proposed on the grounds of Ridgecrest Conference Center, a retreat facility near Asheville, N.C., owned by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. New…
Faith leaders oppose Medicaid cuts
By Bob Allen Faith leaders hand-delivered letters Dec. 11 asking 115 members of Congress to oppose funding cuts to Medicaid that they believe could harm Americans with disabilities. Talks in Washington to avert an impending fiscal cliff have pitted Democrats’…
Book shares struggles of Baptist women
By Jeff Brumley Growing up Baptist, Jennifer Harris Dault says her calling into the ministry was clouded by comments and assumptions along the way that the pulpit was no place for women. “I had this feeling as a kid that…
First ‘create’ cohort earns degrees
By Bob Allen Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kan., held a ceremony Dec. 8 for the first eight graduates of the create Program, a unique master-of-divinity degree program launched in the fall of 2009. The three-year program groups students…
Military college planned for holy mount
By Bob Allen Christian organizations around the world are asking members to sign an online petition protesting plans by Israel’s interior ministry to build a military academy on the Mount of Olives, a holy site for three world religions made…
Hong Kong Baptist U. prof censured
By Bob Allen A Hong Kong Baptist University professor will lose his job for publishing unsubstantiated claims about another university in a controversial book that has been denounced as politically motivated. Radio Television Hong Kong reported Dec. 12 that Professor…
Accrediting agency puts Virginia Intermont on probation, cites continued financial stability concern
BRISTOL, Va. — Virginia Intermont College has been placed on probation for the next six months by its accrediting agency — the most recent action taken by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges related to the…
Concerns about proposed solar project at Baptist conference center in N.C. to be aired at hearing
RIDGECREST, N.C. — A proposed solar energy project on the grounds of a Baptist conference center in western North Carolina will be considered at a public hearing Jan. 9 in Asheville, after the state’s utilities commission received complaints about the…
Tennessee Baptist leader says goodbye
By Bob Allen A past president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention who served on numerous key committees over the years is saying goodbye to attendance at annual meetings, explaining the organization has become so theologically narrow that it is no…
VITAL SIGNS: Christmas lessons
Our current Christmas celebration habits are a uniquely post-World War II phenomena. Much of the excess we experience stands at odds with the way Western society approached the holiday only a few years ago. This shift has lessons for any…