Mention "cooperation" and many Baptists think of the Cooperative Program, the Southern Baptist Convention's unified giving plan. But Baptists may have forgotten that instead of money, cooperation historically grew around accomplishing kingdom work together — primarily missions — when churches…
Crossing boundaries in ministry poses opportunities, challenges
"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…
HeraldBeat
GOT NEWS? Send information for this page to heraldbeat editor Barbara Francis at [email protected] better — add the Herald to your church’s newsletter email list, send us a link to your online newsletter or mail your newsletter to 2828 Emerywood…
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Worship space theology
Last month I provided lots of meaty facts and figures to support the design of worship space. In many ways, however, I feel that I put the cart before the horse — for the place to begin in this discussion…
HERITAGE: The new humanity
America is obsessed with race. Slavery has been gone for 150 years. Segregation crumbled in the 1960s and ’70s. Relationships have improved between the races yet race remains a defining issue in so many phases of American life. Virginia Baptists…
OUT LOUD
“One culture still is dependent on church bulletins and announcements. The other culture is totally inundated with Facebook, Twitter and social media. One culture lifts James Cleveland. The other culture is going to see Jay-Z in a few moments. The…
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…