Baptist News Global

Bucking national trend, Virginia Baptists increase 2010 budget

Outgoing BGAV president Jeff Bloomer leads messengers in voting during the annual meeting. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (ABP) — Despite a shaky economy, Virginia Baptists in their recent annual meeting adopted a 2010 budget of $14 million — about 1.4 percent larger…

For one Texas woman, love for teaching kindergartners lasts 60 years

DALLAS (ABP) — Some things have changed a bit since 1949 at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. Then, the church met in a house. Today, its 9,000 members fill a mammoth sanctuary in multiple worship services. One thing hasn’t…

Ending hunger statewide by 2015 is subject of Baylor summit

Participants sign a poster as part of the Baylor Hunger Summit (Baylor photo) WACO, Texas (ABP) — Federal, state and local leaders met at a Baptist college Nov. 19 to begin a discussion that they hope will lead to actions…

Giving thanks in a troubled land

By David Gushee Thanksgiving week is upon us. The annual celebration centered on gratitude for God’s blessings — for our nation, for family and all other good gifts — comes to a troubled, hungry, divided nation this year. Thanksgiving was…

HERITAGE: Thanksgiving at Farmington

There have been many Thanksgiving days and other times of solemn and joyful gatherings at the old plantation known as Farmington in rural King and Queen County about 50 miles north of Richmond. The family will return for Thanksgiving 2009….

OUT LOUD

“Obviously the severing of relationship after so many years is unfortunate and gives the world-at-large another reason to conclude that Baptists care more about putting people out than gathering them in.” Julie Pennington-Russell The senior pastor of First Baptist Church…

Church management guidebook released at annual meeting

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Nearly 150 people received copies of the newly-published Church Management Guidebook at a Nov. 17 luncheon hosted by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s support services team. The luncheon was held during the annual meeting of the Baptist…

Camp Piankatank dedicates three new lodges to enhance retreat setting

HARTFIELD, Va. — Camp Piankatank celebrated the construction of three new lodges with a dedication service and open house on Nov 15. The new structures differ substantially from their predecessors in their larger sizes and in their increased functionality. Planners…

Virginia Baptists increase 2010 budget, celebrate mission at meeting

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Despite a shaky economy, Virginia Baptists acknowledged their “God-sized” mission task Nov. 18 and adopted a 2010 budget of $14 million, about 1.4 percent larger than 2009’s budget, which is expected to see a shortfall. Next year’s…

EDITORIAL: Times change

Times of economic stress create tensions in religious bodies. I remember so well my first full-time church located in a far western county of Virginia known commonly as Missouri. Our church gave 18 percent to the Cooperative Program and 4…

From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap

STAFF CHANGES • Bill Kittle, resigning as pastor of Rock Hill Church, Stafford, to accept a teaching position in Vermont. • Wellford Tiller, to Calvary Church, Winchester, as intentional interim pastor. • Andrew MacDaniel, to Laurel Hill Church, Verona, as…

Haymarket church finds ministry in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province

HAYMARKET, Va. — Five members of Haymarket Baptist Church traveled to South Africa Oct. 2-16 to work among the varied people of the Eastern Cape. The group was led by Haymarket’s associate pastor of Christian education, Matthew Hensley. Team members…

Supreme Court slides into partisanship

Before the fireworks, be careful what you drink

The contemptible case of Clarence Thomas

The permanent paradoxes of Christian thinking about war