RICHMOND, Va.—Several hundred ministers and laypersons are in Richmond, Va., this week for the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, which is holding its 145th annual session May 14-17. Leonard Smith Leonard Smith, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist…
Documentary awards reflect successful faith and public policy engagement, say two Virginians
Awards recently given to two religious documentaries produced by the Baptist Center for Ethics reflect successful efforts to engage the public on important faith-based policy issues, say two Virginians who serve on the BCE’s board of directors. Gospel Without Borders…
Shorter librarian’s job in jeopardy
By Bob Allen A gay librarian has become a reluctant symbol for opponents of Shorter University’s new “personal lifestyle statement” that must be signed by faculty and staff who want to remain at the Baptist-affiliated school in Rome, Ga. A…
Study charts impact of Eagle Scouts
By Ken Camp The Boys Scouts of America long have noted the conspicuous presence of Eagle Scouts among astronauts, military officers, top athletes and high-ranking elected officials. But a nationwide scientific survey involving researchers from Baylor University provides the first empirical evidence…
Pastor religious freedom panel pick
By Bob Allen President Obama announced plans May 11 to reappoint African-American Baptist leader William J. Shaw to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Shaw, immediate past president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., was appointed in…
WINN RECOMMENDS
Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis, Lauren Winner (HarperOne) I once heard someone say, “It’s unfortunate that Lauren Winner can never seem to find something uninteresting to say.” That just about sums it up. Winner, author of Girl Meets God…
HERITAGE: Who influenced you?
Baptist identity is the subject of the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. Craig Sherouse, pastor of the host church, will share what…
Gardner-Webb students leap headlong into local foods movement in surrounding community
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University students have lately grown increasingly interested in the local foods movement. So this spring, Stephanie Richey, GWU’s community engagement coordinator and local foods aficionado, decided to capitalize. “Gardner-Webb’s office of Christian life and service always plans…
Romney heads to Liberty to woo evangelicals
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS)—Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who struggled to gain the support of evangelicals during the primaries, will deliver a commencement address May 12 at Liberty University, one of the largest Christian universities in the country. The Republican…
VBMB’s executive committee approves funding for collegiate learning center, Eagle Eyrie projects
RICHMOND, Va.—In a regularly scheduled meeting May 8, the executive committee of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board approved a loan from the Baptist Extension Board to purchase a house adjacent to the Baptist student center at the University of Mary…
Bluefield College dedicates century-old quilt with ties to founding family who gave it 44 years ago
BLUEFIELD, Va.—While the hand-made quilt was a necessary commodity for warmth in every remote house in Appalachia in the early 1900s, it also served as a decorative piece or an expression of love or remembrance of a person, time or…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Deacons and the Lord’s Supper
Although Baptist churches are as different as the people who comprise them and practices will vary from church to church, in most Baptist churches the deacons are responsible for distributing the elements during the Lord’s Supper. Doctrinal considerations The term…