DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) – About one in five Protestant churches in America is now independent of any denomination, and about one in five Protestants attends those independent churches, Duke sociologist Mark Chaves says in his new book American Religion: Contemporary…
Shorter University adds new faith statements
ROME, Ga. (ABP) – Shorter University has adopted a new faith statement that affirms biblical inerrancy and is requiring faculty and staff to sign a pledge rejecting homosexuality. A new mandatory “personal lifestyle statement” asks employees to agree to “be…
‘Sabbath’ offered for ministers looking for reprieve from hectic schedule
RICHMOND, Va. — Ministers looking for a break from hectic schedules may find it at Pastor’s Sabbath, set for Nov. 14-16. The retreat, to be held at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, Va., is sponsored by the Virginia…
HeraldBeat
GOT NEWS? Send information for this page to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at [email protected]. Even better — add the Herald to your church’s newsletter e-mail list, send us a link to your online newsletter page or mail the newsletter to…
Historic London cathedral reopens and moves to evict protesters
LONDON (RNS) — London’s historic St. Paul’s Cathedral reopened its doors to visitors Oct. 28 for the first time in a week, as authorities moved to evict hundreds of camped-out protesters. St. Paul's was closed for the first time since…
HERITAGE: The preacher’s assistant
They were the best and most faithful assistant to every preacher in Virginia Baptist life. They likely were his only assistant. Without them, preachers could not have done their work. Indeed most of the churches could not have existed without…
WINN RECOMMENDS
The Fire that Consumes, Edward Fudge (Cascade). Before there was Rob Bell, there was Edward Fudge. Of course, before Bell, there were numerous voices (stretching back to the Patristic Fathers) questioning how we are to understand Scripture’s teaching on Hell….
EDITORIAL: Following God’s call to popes and paupers
You probably heard the one about a guy named Rudy who claimed to know everybody in the world. “No, you don’t,” retorted his friend, Benny. “I’ll bet you don’t know the pope!” “Sure I do,” replied Rudy. “Come to Rome…
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In counseling, depend on Scripture, not speculation
I’ve been a little behind in my reading and just read the Leadership Link article “When God ‘allows’ children to die” in the Oct. 10 Religious Herald. I think your personal openness about dealing with that very issue was very…
OUT LOUD
“Small churches are normal — the typical church has less than 100 in attendance — and can easily reflect the kingdom of God. So, why are so many embarrassed by them? Why do pastors sometimes aspire to leave them and…
Recommendations to be considered at BGAV annual meeting are listed
Reports and recommendations to be considered at the Baptist General Association of Virginia's annual meeting, set for Nov. 8-9 in Richmond, Va., are listed here. Included are the 2012 proposed budget, a report of the Averett/BGAV reconciliation committee, constitutional and…
Former Norfolk, Va., pastor’s wife describes struggle with breast cancer
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — Paula Hemphill’s job was to look at cells through a microscope and help diagnose cancer. She never imagined she would one day be on the other side of the microscope as a patient. She and her…