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…
Jimmy Carter fetes Clarence Jordan
By Bob Allen As 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter got to know some of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, but he says none impressed him more than Clarence Jordan, a farmer and white Baptist…
Agency head urges settlement of lawsuit
By Bob Allen After 10 years of litigation, the head of the Missouri Baptist Foundation says it is time for Missouri Baptist Convention leaders to discuss compromise in an ongoing legal battle between the two organizations over who gets to…
Va. church under fire for gay ordination
By Robert Dilday A leadership committee has asked a Richmond congregation to withdraw its Baptist General Association of Virginia membership in the wake of the church’s Sept. 16 ordination of an openly gay man to the ministry. If Ginter Park…
Virginia Baptist committee asks Richmond church to end affiliation after ordination of gay man
LYNCHBURG, Va. — A key committee has asked a Richmond congregation to withdraw its Baptist General Association of Virginia membership in the wake of the church’s Sept. 16 ordination to the ministry of an openly gay man. If Ginter Park…
Group asks AP to stop using ‘illegal’ label
By Bob Allen A Christian social-justice organization has called on the Associated Press to stop labeling undocumented immigrants “illegal” in the Associated Press Stylebook, a Bible for reporting and editing decisions used by news media across the United States. Sojourners,…
Syrian war victims focus of BWA aid
By Jeff Brumley The Baptist World Alliance is appealing for donations to aid its partners inside Syria to deliver humanitarian assistance to victims of civil war. The continuing rise in violence and suffering sparked the appeal the organization issued on…
Man found guilty of killing Texas pastor
By Bob Allen Two Baptist churches in Texas gained some closure Oct. 8 with a conviction in the murder of a 28-year-old mission pastor committed during a church robbery in March 2011. A Tarrant County jury deliberated about an hour…