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…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Attracting a new generation of leaders in ministry
When I was growing up, Christian ministers were widely held in high esteem. Although a few Elmer Gantrys may have been in the mix, churches and communties generally received their ministers with respect and honor. As a result, many Christian…
TRENDING: The view from Europe of the U.S. church
What will the next 10 years of the North American church will look like? We’ve learned from people like Alan Hirsch and Philip Jenkins to look to the global South for megatrends, and to Western Europe for early indicators for…
OUT LOUD
“One of the big points of dialogue is ‘how will the mitre fit over my dreadlocks?’” Justin Duckworth The recently-appointed and unconventional Anglican bishop of Wellington, New Zealand, has dreadlocks and is usually seen around town in shorts and bare…
VITAL SIGNS: The staffing dilemma
There is a revolution taking place in the way traditional congregations hire, manage and compensate their staff. Some of it is healthy and overdue, some of it is painful and short-sighted. Bill Wilson As traditional congregations entered the 21st century,…
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…