“Much of the world refers to America as a Christian nation, but most of our Christian leaders don’t think so. The Bible only uses the word ‘Christian’ to describe people and not countries.” Leith Anderson The president of the National…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Study: Pastors’ concerns for others may harm their own health
Most members of the clergy are taught to put the physical and spiritual needs of others first, but that self-denial may be harmful to their own health, according to a new Duke University study, which suggests it can be difficult…
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…
SBCs’ top public policy spokesman Richard Land to retire
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)—Richard Land, Southern Baptists’ top public-policy spokesman, announced July 31 that he will retire next year. Land, 65, plans to step down Oct. 23, 2013, from the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, 25 years to…
Miami school board won’t evict church
By Bob Allen A controversial Southern Baptist pastor claimed victory Aug. 3 after Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho decided not to evict his two-year-old church from meeting in a high school for preaching that homosexuality is a sin. The…