By Bob Allen Timed nearest to the anniversary of the Dec. 10, 1948, adoption of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights Day has been sponsored for more than 20 years by the Baptist World Alliance. This year the…
Fiscal cliff talks worry charities
By Bob Allen Representatives of the Charitable Giving Coalition, comprised of about 600 organizations including some of America’s most active charities, descend on Capitol Hill Dec. 4 for two days of lobbying members of Congress about making sure that any…
Poll: Most favor contraceptive mandate
By Bob Allen Nearly two out of three American adults believe businesses and organizations should be required to provide contraceptive coverage in their employee health-care plans, even if it violates the employer’s religious beliefs, according to a recent survey by…
Herald trustees approve fundraising proposal, adopt budget for 2013, elect new board members
RICHMOND — The Religious Herald’s board of trustees adopted a comprehensive fundraising proposal Nov. 30, giving their approval to a plan developed over several months by a fundraising and management consultancy. During its fall meeting, the 24-member board also adopted…
OPINION: In search of empathy through country and rap
My first professional concert felt like a rite of passage. No longer was I to be contented by listening to the sweet tones emanating from my mom’s Maxima’s stereo. No, I was going to see it live and in person,…
‘Complementarianism’ costs Cru director
By Bob Allen The director of University of Louisville’s chapter of Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, has been demoted after refusing to allow female staff to teach Bible studies to mixed-gender audiences. According to World Magazine, Daniel…
Nigerian Baptist pastors killed in bombing
By Bob Allen The head of the Baptist World Alliance protested continuing violence in Nigeria that recently claimed the lives of two Baptist pastors. BWA General Secretary Neville Callam said Nov. 30 he is “deeply concerned about the continuing attacks…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Leadership’s dances: From the center, to the edges, across the gaps
An ancient wise man was approached by a despondent villager who asked for healing. The wise man asked three telling questions: When did you stop singing? When did you stop dancing? When did you stop telling stories? These questions echo…
OPINION: A Christian nation? Yes!
In recent years many Americans have become distressed by the obvious decline of social and moral values, which is evident in all regions and levels of national life. Crime has increased, organized gang activity is up, drug abuse is surging,…
On 200th anniversary, Charles Dickens retains close Christmas association
WILMINGTON (RNS) — ‘Tis the season for “Bah, humbug” and “God bless us every one,” especially as the world caps off a year of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. As Advent begins, cities across…
Pastor wanders streets seeking to understand homelessness
NORMAN, Okla. (RNS) — Pastor Dustin Buff traded in his job, his house and his sense of security for a backpack, a Bible, a sleeping bag, one change of clothes, identification and a cell phone. For 10 days, Buff and…
RIGHT OR WRONG?: Being or doing
I’ve seen God described as “not only the Ground of all Being, but also the Ground of all Doing.” Help me understand how to appreciate that characterization. Paul Tillich (1886-1965) was a German-American philosopher and theologian who coined the term…