By Bob Allen Editor’s Note: This story was edited April 10 to change a sentence that said a statement posted on the Liberty University website didn’t appear there on April 9. Liberty Vice President Johnnie Moore said Liberty never removed…
CBF names Va. native as interim missions coordinator
ATLANTA (ABP)—Jim Smith, a Virginia native who serves as director of field ministries for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has been named interim coordinator of global missions beginning July 1. Smith will assume the interim role as Rob Nash, global missions…
Mark Driscoll’s visit to Liberty making waves
LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP)—Never a stranger to controversy, Seattle mega church pastor Mark Driscoll is causing a stir with an upcoming visit to Liberty University. The conservative Christian school in Lynchburg, Va., is next up on a tour by the founding…
Missional congregations seek to ‘relearn what it means to be church’
By Jeff Brumley Traditional churches must wake up and reinvent themselves if they are to remain — or become — relevant, some Christian leaders say. Larry Hovis “We have to think the way missionaries think,” said Larry Hovis, executive coordinator…
People, church reconnect at The Well
By Jeff Brumley The space Susan Rogers calls her main office is pretty artsy for a Baptist pastor. It’s adorned with the paintings of local artists and furnished with comfy couches, high-top tables and free Wi-Fi. It even has a…
Congregations ‘relearn what it means to be church’
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP)—Traditional churches must wake up and reinvent themselves if they are to remain—or become—relevant, some Christian leaders say. “We have to think the way missionaries think,” said Larry Hovis, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North…
Baptist pastor featured in commercial critical of Alabama’s immigration law
By Bob Allen A Baptist pastor is featured in a new television commercial opposing Alabama’s immigration law unveiled by a group of Alabama clergy April 3. Steve Jones “We believe in reaching out and ministering to our community. Yet, under…
British Baptists tap pastor as VP
Associated Baptist Press A pastor and former college principal was electedApril 3 as vice president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Chris Ellis, pastor of West Bridgford Baptist Church in Nottingham, England, takes office as vice president at this…
Poll: Many Shorter faculty unhappy
By Bob Allen Nine out of 10 Shorter University faculty members who responded anonymously to a survey said they disagree with a “personal lifestyle statement” adopted last fall that prohibits, among other things, homosexuality and drinking alcohol in public. Results…
Churchnet builds collaboration
By Vicki Brown At a time when many denominations are waning, the head of a breakaway 10-year-old Baptist state convention in Missouri believes “genuine” collaboration will keep congregations working together. “The vision we have … is to try to create…
American Baptist leader shows solidarity with Trayvon Martin
By Bob Allen An American Baptist leader says one tragedy of the Trayvon Martin shooting is that racial profiling is nothing new for African-American boys and even men. Aidsand Wright-Riggins Wearing a hoodie in support of the 17-year-old Florida youth…
Baptist leaders meet with Russian Orthodox primate
MOSCOW—Despite significant theological differences, Baptists and the Russian Orthodox Church appear to share views on some moral issues, the primate of the Russian church told Baptist representatives—including Baptist World Alliance president John Upton—March 29. The meeting with Kirill I, patriarch…