BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Ecumenical dialogue between Baptists and other Christian traditions clarifies Baptist distinctives rather than dilutes them, says a Gardner-Webb University professor who participated in recent preliminary conversations between Baptists and Orthodox Christians. “The purpose of ecumenical discussions…
Realignments at board add value, says executive
RICHMOND, Va. — Proposed changes in the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board are prompted in part by reduced funding but will have the effect of making the organization more strategic, the board’s executive director said Dec. 9. John…
‘Spiritual transformer’ of children retires after 28 years
RICHMOND, Va. — At the age of 8, growing up in Stanley County, N.C., northeast of Charlotte, Diane Smith decided her goal in life was to teach children. Diane Smith enjoys a laugh during a retirement celebration in her honor….
Filipino-American church in Virginia broadens focus, changes name
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Roughly translated, the Filipino proverb “Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay,” means: “Imitate the rice stalk; the more grains it bears, the lower it bows.” The Filipino-American Christian Church in Stafford County, Va., has…
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‘Occupy’ movement comes to Charlotte — whimsically
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — As the Occupy protest movement spreads into cities across the United States and around the world, one North Carolina Baptist congregation says it is time to occupy the church. A sign in front of the church…
Former pastor, educator Jack McEwen dies
Jack McEwen CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (ABP) – Jack McEwen, a former pastor and professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, died Dec. 5. McEwen, 84, was pastor of churches including First Baptist Church of Chattanooga in the 1970s and 1980s, where he…
Group urges churches to open pulpits to first-time women preachers
ATLANTA (ABP) – An annual emphasis that encourages Baptist churches for the first time to invite a woman to preach is also an opportunity for churches that fully support women in ministry, say sponsors of Martha Stearns Marshall Month of…
Pastor says Jesus wouldn’t remove church with woman pastor
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (ABP) – A North Carolina pastor says he thinks a Baptist association’s vote to remove a church for calling a woman pastor isn’t what Jesus would do. “All four Gospels tell us that the message of the…
Supreme Court won’t review NYC ban on worship in schools
WASHINGTON (ABP) – Church-state observers expressed surprise at the Supreme Court’s Dec. 5 refusal to hear an appeal of a ruling that New York City has the right to bar the use of public school buildings for worship when school…
Church withdraws from association that ousted woman pastor
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (ABP) – A North Carolina Baptist association that expelled a church last summer for naming a woman as pastor lost another prominent member congregation Dec. 4. Members of the 132-year-old First Baptist Church of Mount Airy, N.C.,…
Billy Graham returns home after hospital stay
MONTREAT, N.C. (RNS) — Evangelist Billy Graham returned to his North Carolina home Dec. 6 after a six-day stay in a nearby hospital where he was treated for pneumonia. Billy Graham continues to write two years after his last official crusade….