(RNS) — Eileen Guenther, the national president of the American Guild of Organists, reveals behind-the-scenes church struggles in her new book, Rivals or a Team?: Clergy-Musician Relationships in the Twenty-First Century. Guenther, an associate professor of church music at Washington’s…
God and Caesar: What does it mean to be a faithful citizen?
Since the earliest days of Christianity, followers of Jesus have wrestled with the demands of dual citizenship — as citizens of God’s kingdom and of the nations of this world. Jesus established the principle: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…
Online community seen as mission field
(ABP) — Jim Somerville pastors a Baptist congregation in Virginia that, thanks to the Internet, includes people living in Austria, India and Slovakia. And now, he learned recently, some guy in Iowa. “He said ‘I tune in online and consider…
Faith of presidential candidates raises questions for Christians
President Barack Obama holds positions on hot-button social issues that put him at odds with many evangelical Christians. His challenger, Mitt Romney, served as a bishop of a church that many evangelicals consider a cult. Add to the mix persistent…
Racial equality pioneer Langford dies
By Bob Allen Henry V. Langford, a white Baptist preacher whose support for racial equality caused him to be blackballed by churches in the 1950s, died Oct. 7 at age 93. A memorial service is planned at 4 p.m. Sunday,…
Scholars discuss faithful citizenship
By Ken Camp Jesus established the principle: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” but some American Christians struggle with how to put the principle into practice. About 10 years ago, theologian Marcus Borg said,…
Resource offers guide for churches
By Robert Dilday Weeks before voters head to the polls in the closely fought presidential election, a resource developed by faith groups and civil liberties leaders offers guidelines to churches hoping to influence the political process without violating legal restrictions….
Racial equality pioneer Henry Langford dies
RICHMOND (ABP) — Henry V. Langford, a white Baptist preacher whose support for racial equality caused him to be blackballed by churches in the 1950s, died Oct. 7 at age 93. A memorial service is planned at 4 p.m., Sunday,…
LETTER: Autonomy, diversity no longer valued in BGAV
I have just read a news alert sent by the Religious Herald. The news alert was related to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s recent action related to Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond. In short, the action of the board…
LETTER: A perspective from one who has ‘left the fold’
Dear Virginia Baptists, It’s been a long time, but I think it is the right time for you to hear from one of your sons who has left the fold. Eleven years ago I stopped being a Baptist because I…
LETTER: Church dismissal reflects irrational fear
Whatever became of sin? I am talking about the simple sins found in most Baptist circles years ago: card playing, dancing, going to the picture show, cursing, and drinking alcohol. I guess that age is gone. No one seems to…
LETTER: Proposed BGAV budget reflects shift in philosophy
In reviewing the proposed 2013 Baptist General Association of Virginia budget I have once again become painfully aware of the budget woes we face as an association. The years I served on the budget committee, and then as first vice president…