Editor’s Note: The views below are those of two key leaders at Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond, who, in the absence of a pastor, have administrative and pastoral care responsibilities for the congregation. The two leaders have pointed out…
Searching for the real Martin Luther
DURHAM (RNS) — Protestants have traditionally celebrated Oct. 31 as the anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, a movement that divided Western Christendom and gave birth to such diverse religious groups as Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Mennonites. On…
Baptist addresses Vatican crowd
By Bob Allen A U.S. scholar representing the Baptist World Alliance at a recent Vatican gathering of Catholic bishops described his presence as “a moment of historic significance.” “Baptists and Catholics differ on important ecclesial and theological issues but we…
Association studies gay ordination
By Robert Dilday A Virginia Baptist church recently asked to withdraw from its state convention after ordaining an openly gay man to the ministry is now under investigation by its local association. Richmond Baptist Association appointed a task force Oct….
Church scrutinized after pastor’s arrest
By Bob Allen Missouri Baptist Convention officials are watching a member church whose pastor was arrested recently on sexual abuse charges a year after his previous acquittal of child molestation. Travis Smith, 42, of California, Mo., appeared for arraignment Oct….
Candidates mum on the environment
By Bob Allen Heading into tonight’s third and final presidential debate between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, neither candidate is talking about the environment, a number of socially conscious Christians have observed. Baptist blogger Brian Kaylor, an assistant…
Baptists embrace pet blessings
By Jeff Brumley Even at Broadway Baptist Church, where classical and contemplative worship are the norm, some folks were stunned a few years back when the pastor held an animal blessing ritual in the courtyard. Turns out they were in…
OPINION: On priests, autonomy and the drawing of lines
The fundamentalist church I grew up in once led the charge in kicking a church out of the local association because that church ordained a woman deacon. I had moved away by then, but if I’d been around I would…
Richmond Baptist Association creates task force to study ordination of gay man by affiliated church
RICHMOND — A task force of the Richmond Baptist Association will study the recent ordination to the ministry of an openly gay man by one of its affiliated churches and recommend a response to the association by next spring. The…
Congregation takes adult exercise seriously as it adds new equipment to its community playground
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Northside Baptist Church believes that families that play together will be strong and healthy, says senior pastor Jeff Scott. So the latest additions to its church playground facilities are not for children, but for senior adults. Nancy…
HERITAGE: Finding a solution to funding ministry
“We are a small band of Baptists struggling to complete our little church and to build up our Baptist cause in this community. We are now painting our church and giving it the finishing requirements as far as we can….
OPINION: Good for the BGAV budget committee
I have briefly reviewed the revised Baptist General Association of Virginia 2013 proposed budget: good for the budget committee and good for BGAV leadership. Thank you for hearing the wails and cries of disappointment. And thanks for Woman’s Missionary Union…