(ABP)—Sheryl Fancher likes to tell social media nightmare stories that make ministers cringe. Like the one about a pastor who posted derogatory remarks about church members on his Facebook page without realizing his account was set to public. Ouch. Fancher…
Church uses ‘bean poll’ to assist hunger ministries
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.—“It can be fun to do good for others,” says Jeff Scott, pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Va. That’s why the congregation is asking area voters, “Which presidential candidate is the most full of beans?” and using…
In media oversight, churches lag behind
(ABP)—Sheryl Fancher likes to tell social media nightmare stories that make ministers cringe. Like the one about a pastor who posted derogatory remarks about church members on his Facebook page without realizing his account was set to public. Ouch. Fancher…
Moderate Baptist blasts atheist billboards
By Bob Allen A moderate Baptist ethicist labeled billboards by American Atheists claiming religion has no place in presidential politics an unfair attack on people of faith. A billboard campaign timed with the national presidential nominating convention mocks the religion…
Black Baptist says racism still a problem
By Bob Allen Policy statements on racial inclusion aside, the church still has a long way to go toward eradicating racism in denominational structures, says a black Baptist leader in the United Kingdom. David Shosanya, a regional minister and director…
Calvin Miller, author, professor dies
By Bob Allen Calvin Miller, a longtime pastor, author and seminary professor, died Aug. 19, of complications from heart failure. Miller, 75, research professor of divinity and distinguished writer in residence at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., since 2007,…
Churches lag in social media oversight
By Jeff Brumley Sheryl Fancher likes to tell social media nightmare stories that make ministers cringe. Like the one about a pastor who posted derogatory remarks about church members on his Facebook page without realizing his account was set to…
OPINION: The falconer
In his work The Second Coming, Irish poet William Butler Yeats shares the following bleak reflection: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.” Alex Gallimore Yeats penned…
HERITAGE: Heart music
Paul Honaker completes 38 years of music ministry at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond with a musical extravaganza set for 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26. It will be a time to celebrate a career devoted to people and…
WINN RECOMMENDS
When I Was a Child, I Read Books, Marilynne Robinson (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) If Marilynne Robinson writes it, then it’s worth reading. With Pulitzer-wining Gilead, I fell in love with her fiction. Since then, I’ve been moved by her…
OPINION: Total recall
Science fiction is great for getting my mind churning. Sitting in the theater with an audience cheering the action and being impressed (or underwhelmed) by special effects is a great summer afternoon activity. But that’s not the whole reason it’s…
Saying goodbye to a mentor and friend
By Roger Olson When I look back over my life and career, I can confidently say there was no more important influence on my theological development than Dr. Ralph Powell who passed away at age 96 on August 7 in…