Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

This is the ninth in a BNG series of articles on Christianity and democracy that will lead toward the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The series has been curated by Carol McEntyre, senior minister at First Baptist Church of...

Opinion Juan Garcia

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ANALYSIS: For the BGAV, anticipations of an unexpectedly animated annual meeting

Messengers attending this month’s Baptist General Association of Virginia annual meeting are likely to find what was expected to be a fairly routine agenda enlivened by several weeks of wide-ranging discussions on a proposed budget and on the parameters of…

Blacksburg, Va., pastor Tommy McDearis to be nominated for first vice president of BGAV

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Blacksburg, Va., pastor Tommy McDearis will be nominated for first vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia — the second announced candidate for a position whose incumbent for more than 10 years has been elected…

LETTER: Prison inmate appreciates chaplain’s ministry

With great personal interest, I read the Oct. 15 issue of the Religious Herald, particularly the “Tough calls” article. The Baptist General Association of Virginia budget committee has faced a tough task with optimistic realism and created a 2013 budget…

EDITORIAL: A process out of date

Since I spoke out in the Oct. 15 issue of the Religious Herald expressing my concerns with the proposed 2013 Baptist General Association of Virginia budget, it is only fitting that I express my appreciation for the budget committee’s willingness…

For all the saints

If you are a Baptist, chances are, yesterday came and went without much notice in your church. But it was All Saints’ Day. Every year, on Nov. 1, Christian churches gather to remember and give thanks for the Christian saints who…

OPINION: The conflict pandemic

Whenever I address a group about the work our organization does, I mention that one of our frequent calls is to help a congregation, staff, judicatory or organization manage conflict. Our conflict intervention calls are on the upswing. My colleague,…

OPINION: Finding the â€˜Jesus candidateâ€™

I would love to begin this article by asking for all the faithful Christians to vote for the Jesus candidate come Nov. 6. Such rhetoric is certainly nothing new in our religiously-charged culture and I have heard many pastors, despite…

Richmond church strengthens multi-ethnic identity with new executive pastor position

RICHMOND — William H. “Bill” Whitaker II said he knew that God was preparing him for a change in ministry. Having served as executive business pastor at First Baptist Church of South Richmond for more than 12 years, Whitaker said…

LETTER: Politicians are asking the wrong question

“Are you better off?” is the wrong question. It appeals to our ego without the balancing biblical imagery of the Good Samaritan who sees a need, feels compassion, stops his journey, anoints with oil and wine, bandages wounds, transports a…

Confessions of a sitting duck

By Amy Butler The expression “like sitting ducks” seems apropos for those of us on the East Coast last week. We knew for several days that a huge storm was headed our way, and so we waited, glued to news…