By Jeff Brumley Annette Ellard and Steve Clark — a husband-and-wife team commissioned by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in 2006 to work with refugees from Burma in Louisville, Ky. — expected that population would face daunting language, cultural, employment, housing, medical and…
At 20, congregational health center said to have ‘young muscles’ ready to take on heavier loads
WINSTON-SALEM — After two decades, the Center for Congregational Health has the young muscles of a 20-year-old adolescent and is well-positioned to take up the heavier loads of mature responsibilities, a top official at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center…
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…
VITAL SIGNS: Holding your staff accountable
Previously, I suggested that the starting point for bringing health and effectiveness to a church’s ministerial staff is the critical work of clarifying mission, vision and purpose in the congregation. That clarity then becomes the “north star” for every decision,…
OPINION: ‘Looper’
While the trailer may lead you to believe you’ve seen this movie before, trust me — you haven’t. In fact, the director works very hard to weave a tale of time travel, crime and guns only to use that framework…
LETTER: BGAV is not a hierarchical organization
The Baptist General Association of Virginia is an association, not a hierarchy. There is no subset or division within the BGAV entrusted with the responsibility to make sure all theological actions or expressions of congregations comprising the association correspond to…
LETTER: Ginter Park’s calling has not changed
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…