GRANDVILLE, Mich. (RNS) — For years, Rob Bell closed his Sunday teachings at Mars Hill Bible Church with a simple statement: "Grace and peace be with you." Thousands would respond in unison: "And also with you." Rob Bell is leaving…
Former youth pastor, teacher charged with molestation
By Bob Allen Residents of a Birmingham suburb expressed shock at sexual abuse charges filed against a popular school teacher who faced similar allegations, but avoided arrest, 20 years ago while he was youth minister at a Baptist church. Police…
Francis McBeth, world-renowned composer, dies at 78
W. Francis McBeth, an internationally acclaimed composer and conductor and longtime professor of music at Ouachita Baptist University, died Friday, Jan. 6, at age 78. Francis McBeth McBeth, who earned extensive accolades throughout his career, served as Ouachita’s composer-in-residence, Lena…
VITAL SIGNS: Critical questions for 2012
If there is one recurring theme to the conversations I have regularly with clergy, lay leaders and denominational employees, it is viability. In a myriad of ways, people are asking viability questions about ministry, congregational life, finances, staff models, facilities,…
TRENDING: Recalibrating invitation and challenge
Let’s begin 2012 with these words from a Virginia Baptist friend and active leader in her church: “Recently, at the conclusion of our worship, I left with an empty feeling. There was nothing wrong with the service at all. It…
WINN RECOMMENDS
The Artist’s Rule, Christine Painter (Sorin Books) Our heart requires space to listen, to ruminate and to waken to life — and then (and only then) can we truly create. This is the guiding assumption of Painter’s work. Crafted as…
OPINION: For mature audiences only
In the independent film, Sympathy for Delicious, a young man named Dean struggles to understand why God won’t answer his prayer. Dean has lost the use of his legs in a car accident and now, mysteriously, has the ability to…
Evangelicals are still reluctant to support Mitt Romney
The good news for Mitt Romney: he won the Iowa caucuses. The bad news for Romney: evangelicals remain reluctant to support him. Romney bested former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum by a mere eight votes Jan. 3 in first-in-the-nation voting. But…
Bluefield, medical center partner on health care
POCAHONTAS, Va. — On the site of the former Pocahontas High School — the hub of the rural community until closed in 2008 — leaders from Bluefield College and Clinch Valley Medical Center signed an agreement to create a health…
Bluefield College students explore Chinese society
BLUEFIELD, Va. — For the fifth semester in a row, students from Bluefield College shared history, language, tradition and time with students from China as part of the Baptist-affiliated school’s exchange program with the Jiangsu Institute of Education in Nanjing….
HeraldBeat
Transitions ON THE MOVE Fred Hardin Jr., to Fuller Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., as pastor. Paul Batson, to Nobles Chapel Baptist Church, Sims, N.C., as pastor. Brian Harfst, resigning as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Unionville, Va. David Anthony,…
Atheists’ political party faces long road to U.S. acceptance as majority express discomfort with a
How viable is a political party with the word “atheist” in its name? Troy Boyle, a corporate legal representative for a finance company, thinks very viable. Last March, he and a friend founded the National Atheist Party, which they believe…