Baptist disaster response teams in New Jersey and New York resumed operations Nov. 9 after a nor’easter’s wind, rain and snow forced a temporary suspension of activities in the region still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. Trucks loaded with food for…
Faithful seek truce in culture war
(ABP) — If Facebook is any measure, Americans are emerging from the 2012 election season convinced the nation’s political and religious divisions are wider and more hostile than ever — and getting worse. But not Duke McCall, 98, the Baptist elder…
The security of the believer — online
(ABP) — All Christians confess that Jesus is Lord, but he’s a poor choice for a computer password, according to an annual listing of passwords on the Internet most prone to hacking. “Jesus” for the first time made the list…
Faithful seek truce in culture war
(ABP) — If Facebook is any measure, Americans are emerging from the 2012 election season convinced the nation’s political and religious divisions are wider and more hostile than ever — and getting worse. But not Duke McCall, 98, the Baptist elder…
Church leaders say returning vets need time, attention
(RNS) — When Staff Sgt. Brandon Hill came home from his third tour in Iraq last year, he expected his wife and young daughters at the welcoming ceremony. What he didn't expect were the pastors, secretaries and members of their…
NC Baptists discuss racial reconciliation
By Robert Dilday Reconciling racial conflicts requires abandoning a “human point of view,” two pastors told a group of Baptists in North Carolina Nov. 4. The two pastors — one black, the other white — engaged in a “sermon dialogue”…
Online security of the believer
By Bob Allen All Christians confess that Jesus is Lord, but he’s a poor choice for a computer password, according to an annual listing of passwords on the Internet most prone to hacking. “Jesus” for the first time made the…
Boy Scout cover-up sign of the times
By Bob Allen A retired Baptist state convention executive says formerly confidential files detailing decades of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America reflect the ethos of a time before mandatory reporting, when a common approach was to deal…
Difficult church talks require trust, familiar relations — an increasingly rare combo, says expert
WINSTON-SALEM — Congregational discussions about sensitive issues won’t succeed without a hefty dose of trust based on close relationships — a combination increasingly absent in churches, says a consultant in church conflict management. “It’s difficult to have a significant conversation…
Protect and live Baptist values, Bluefield College students told during annual heritage celebration
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Protect, guard and live Baptist heritage, Bluefield College students were told during the school’s annual Baptist Heritage Day recently. “This is your heritage,” said keynote speaker John Upton, executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia…
Abandon ‘human point of view’ to reconcile racial conflicts, pastors tell Baptists in N.C.
WINSTON-SALEM — Reconciling racial conflicts requires abandoning a “human point of view,” two pastors told a group of Baptists in North Carolina last weekend. “There’s power when we look at people from a ‘Jesus point of view,’ ” said Darryl…
SUV driver charged in church van crash
By Bob Allen The driver of an SUV that crashed into a church van killing two people in east Tennessee Sept. 16 has been indicted on 36 counts including vehicular homicide and drug possession. Police believe Tyler Schaeffer, 21, of…