By Bob Allen A group of Cincinnati pastors and church leaders is boycotting Thomas Nelson Publishers over David Barton’s book The Jefferson Lies, saying it glosses over the third president’s racism and justifies his ownership of slaves. Black and white…
BTSR receives $1 million gift from Baugh Foundation
RICHMOND, Va.—Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has received a gift of $1 million to be distributed over five years from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation of San Antonio, Texas, the seminary announced in an Aug. 7 press release….
Social media bigger deal than survey says
By Jeff Brumley A survey’s finding that few Americans use social media to connect with churches and other religious groups has those who conducted the research astonished. “We were a little bit surprised,” Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public…
Don’t count out the church organ just yet
By Jeff Brumley There are times, Shaun King says, when worship music should be energetic, light or joyful. That’s when instruments like pianos, drums and guitars do the trick. But then there are times when the sound needs to be…
EDITORIAL: It’s time for the dreaded ‘talk’
Like a procrastinating parent reluctant to have “the talk,” I’ve been putting off a conversation I knew we needed to have. It’s the old “good news-bad news” conundrum. First, the bad news: Beginning October 1, we are having to raise…
Christians turn to public education as call to service
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP)—A new kind of “school choice” agenda is gaining ground as more and more young adults’—including Christians concerned about social justice—choose teaching in public schools over more lucrative and less challenging careers. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan…
Baptist injured in theater shooting chooses forgiveness
AURORA, Colo.—From his hospital bed, one of the 58 people injured in a July 20 shooting rampage in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater that claimed 12 lives became a spokesman for Christian forgiveness. Pierce O’Farrill, a member of the The…
Colorado tragedy affects Texas Baptist family
AURORA, Colo. (ABP)—The impact of a shooting rampage at a Colorado movie theater was felt as far away as Texas, where a Baptist family mourned the loss of a brother and son. Texas native Gordon Cowden, 51, the oldest of…
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Transitions ON THE MOVE Scott Curtis, to Providence Baptist Church, Red House, Va., as pastor. Stephen Foss, to Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va., as senior pastor. Trent Sessoms, to Kingdale (N.C.) Baptist Church, as pastor. Joe McDowell, to Aarons…
WINN RECOMMENDS
The Transgression of the Integrity of God, by Craig Keen (Cascade) Craig Keen has been described as a “theologian who knows how to whistle.” I need hear no more; I’m in. In this series of essays and addresses, Keen argues…
Churches aid students with food backpacks
GREENSBORO, N.C.—Before long, youngsters toting backpacks back and forth to school will be a common sight. But for about 40 students at Peck Elementary School in Greensboro, N.C., they will carry something more vital than just notebooks and pencils. They…
Richmond-area churches use summer’s bounty to transform food ministries and reach neighbors
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.—President Obama isn’t the only person who has been spotted buying Hanover tomatoes in Mechanicsville this summer. The well-loved tomatoes from Central Virginia’s Hanover County are also popular at a church-sponsored communty farmer’s market. The mid-week market launched by…