When we — Baptists and Methodists — were all evangelical

It may now seem surprising to many United Methodists, and even more Baptists, that for most of our histories in the United States, all Methodists and Baptists were regularly designated as evangelical denominations. The most important reason is that both...

Analysis Lovett H. Weems Jr.

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A Jewish response to Mohler

Leith Anderson, Tim Pawlenty’s Pastor, Stays Out Of Partisan Politics

AFA’s Bryan Fischer accuses SBC of pandering to gays, illegal aliens

TUPELO, Miss. (ABP) — A prominent conservative social activist has accused the Southern Baptist Convention of pandering to gays and illegal immigrants. Bryan Fischer, radio talk show host and spokesman for the American Family Association, commented in a blog that…

VITAL SIGNS: What will we do with failure?

Failure. Just saying the word in the same sentence as our name makes us nervous. Far too often, failure and ministry go together. Frequently, failure is the last word for ministers and churches. Many ministers’ inner life is marked by…

EDITORIAL: Positive signs in SBC leadership?

If you didn’t realize the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting was being held last week in Phoenix, you were not alone. For the first time since 1944, fewer than 5,000 messengers registered for the two-day conference. Only 4,780 had registered…

HERITAGE: Fulfilling the covenant

Black Creek Baptist Church in rural Southampton County, Va., celebrated its 225th anniversary last month. The home folks put thought and effort into the anniversary. They invited former pastors and members. They created an instant museum out of one of…

TRENDING: Rhythym of life

Peter Drucker famously remarked that the three most difficult jobs in the United States were university president, hospital administrator and pastor of a local church. Yet no one seems to be able to explain what a minister does. There are…

OUT LOUD

“As churches see immigrants here among us, our first question is not, ‘What is their legal status?’ The question first and foremost is ‘What is their gospel status?’ ” Paul Jimenez The chair of the Southern Baptist Convention’s resolutions committee…

Students at HopeTree Family Services’ academy become inventors

SALEM, Va. — The lathe hums quietly as a HopeTree Academy student carefully passes a cutting tool to a small piece of wood. With a steady hand, patience, and gentle pressure, he soon coaxes a curved, elegant cylinder from a…

Linden Heights Baptist Church sponsors Praise in the Park

STAUNTON, Va. — Families from around the Shenandoah Valley and beyond flock to Gypsy Hill Park, a 214-acre park in the heart of downtown Staunton, on summer evenings. While some are there to walk or bike or swim, many arrive…

CBFVA’s mission boxes for Liberia will enable young minds to grow

RICHMOND, Va. — The temperature topped 100 degrees as the mission trailer of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia pulled into the parking lot of Effort Baptist Church in Palmyra, Va., on June 9. Filled with 350 boxes packed by…

Roanoke Baptist walks to honor exceptional student and organ donor

ROAKOKE, Va. — For Shirley Young, finishing the race is part of keeping the faith. At 84, she’s walking in “Run With Grace” to honor a friend who died before she could finish her own races. Grace Lovegrove donated four…