"Are we missing the big picture?" That's the question some Christian leaders are asking as America's centuries-old denominational patterns unravel, while denominational distinctions seem as entrenched — and unbridgeable — as ever. In a post-denominational society, can churches retain theological…
TRENDING: Biological spirituality
You might have noticed a higher profile on “organic” food and diet in recent years. If not, go ahead and crawl out from under that Big Mac! Accompanying this trend is the application of nutritional thinking to spiritual life. It’s…
Baptist Peace Fellowship to re-issue sexuality resource for churches
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has announced plans to publish an expanded and updated edition of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Resource for Congregations in Dialogue on Sexual Orientation, a 250-page study…
OPINION: Southern Baptists, change thy name
What's in a name? As Shakespeare has it, a rose by any other name smells the same. But in the case of America’s largest Protestant denomination, changing the name could change everything. Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright recently told…
EDITORIAL: Fresh expressions of leadership
In past months, I have made it a point to read old issues of the Religious Herald dating from the Civil War era and before. Almost without exception, this has been an enlightening experience that has heightened the respect I…
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American Baptist leader named president-elect for NCC
Roy Medley CHICAGO (ABP) – Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, was elected president-elect of the National Council of Churches Nov. 9 at a meeting of the NCC governing board in Chicago. Medley will lead the ecumenical…
CBF coordinator search committee named
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship officers have named a nine-member search committee to find a replacement for Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal, who will retire June 30, 2012. Chaired by George Mason, senior pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in…
Virginia Baptists elect first black president, restore ties to Averett
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — For the first time in 188 years, the predominantly white Baptist General Association of Virginia has an African-American president. Suffolk, Va., pastor Mark Croston was elected to the top spot during the BGAV’s annual meeting Nov….
N.C. CBF leader urges CBF of Virginia to be ‘missionally-faithful’
RICHMOND, Va. — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship must increase its ability to fulfill its calling as a “spiritually-healthy, missionally-faithful expression of the family of God,” a North Carolina CBF leader told members of Virginia’s state affiliate Nov. 8. “Baptists believe…
VITAL SIGNS: The tired arms of ministers
A friend recently shared with me a daily devotion that pointed out the story in Exodus 17 regarding Moses’ arms. Remember? As long as Moses held his staff with his arms aloft, the Israelites prevailed in their battle with the…
Two from Mid-Atlantic on search committee for CBF coordinator
ATLANTA (ABP) — Two Baptists from the Mid-Atlantic are on a nine-member search committee to find a replacement for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship executive coordinator Daniel Vestal, who will retire June 30, 2012. Jack Glasgow, senior pastor of Zebulon (N.C.) Baptist…