Historical drama Pressure clears the air on speaking truth to power

A new film that reframes the pivotal lead-up to D-Day as a character study amid a high-stakes strategic dispute speaks to current events, illuminating how inconvenient truths clash with modern political rhetoric. Premiering last weekend at No. 7 on the...

Analysis Josh Shepherd

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Grace Fellowship in Hiwassee grows from handful to over 100

Talk to church planter Doug Ballew about Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Hiwassee and you will get an enthusiastic earful. But he hasn’t always been that excited about the future of the church he started in December 2006. After 18…

Bluefield gets grant for music program

BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College has received a $25,000 grant to support its new instrumental music program. The Ratcliffe Foundation of Tazewell presented the grant July 27 to school officials. Bluefield launched its new program last spring and school administrators say…

After receiving, Baltimore churches give to Dover

Though it may have looked like a typical Vacation Bible School to an outsider, what was going on at Dover Baptist Church in Manakin Sabot last week was one-of-a-kind. Pastor Mike Garner will make sure you know that. Three other…

Jerusalem mayor navigates sacred city’s religious politics

JERUSALEM — When Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat decided to open a municipal parking lot that had been closed on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath, his office said he simply was being practical. Extra parking is needed to help ease lines of…

RIGHT OR WRONG? Being transparent in church

Few Baptists seem to practice our old adage, “Tell the truth and trust the people.” For example, too much church business goes on behind closed doors. How can our church balance operating on a need-to-know basis and making the truth…

OUT LOUD

“You don’t know what Theotokos means? Get a book and read about it. You have a hard time standing for two hours? Do some sit-ups and get yourself into worship shape. It is the Lord our God we worship here,…

SECOND OPINION: A pan-Baptist council — why not?

In 1895, Religious Herald editor Robert H. Pitt was among the first to urge Baptists to unite in a world organization. He repeated the call in 1900, five years before the Baptist World Alliance was organized in London. Both editorials…

EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida joins the information age

Dear Jimmy, Why bless me, you’ll never believe what your ol’ uncle has gone and done now. We were sittin’ in front of the TV watchin’ the Braves game when one of those computers came on the commercial. Well, I…

HERITAGE: The roar of lions

By any measure, they are old lions. Henry Langford turned 90 earlier this year. Jim Fox and Elmer West are both 86 and counting. But they can still roar. As young lions they challenged the prevailing social order, risking their…

Faith groups begin media blitz for health care reform

WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama will participate in a national call-in and audio webcast on health reform with religious leaders Aug. 19. Faith leaders made the announcement Aug. 10 in a conference call with reporters. It is one of several…

After receiving, Baltimore churches give to Dover

Though it may have looked like a typical Vacation Bible School to an outsider, what was going on at Dover Baptist Church in Manakin Sabot last week was one-of-a-kind. Pastor Mike Garner will make sure you know that. Three other…

‘Big Bucket Brigade’ ministers to Africans

RICHMOND — When you think of a “bucket brigade,” you likely picture buckets filled with water and a line of people. On July 12 there was a “Big Bucket Brigade” at Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, but the 23…