Baptist News Global

FAITH SHAPERS: Teaching tricky topics: Where does God live?

Have you ever thought about how confusing it must be for children when we talk about where God is? Although we rarely sit them down to talk about God's location, they pick up ideas from things we say. We tell…

Survey finds U.S. faith is more nuanced than most might think

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Think you know what Americans believe about religion? Think again. Seven in 10 Americans who follow one particular faith believe many “religions” can lead to eternal life. Despite the intense attention paid to evangelical and Catholic voters in a…

Highlights from U.S. Religious Landscape Survey

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Here are some of the findings from the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey of the beliefs and practices of adults in the United States: • 92 percent believe in God • 79 percent believe in miracles • 68 percent believe…

FAITH DIGEST

Presbyterians move toward allowing gay ministers. The nation's largest Presbyterian denomination has cracked open the door to ordaining noncelibate gay clergy. Delegates at the Presbyterian Church (USA) general assembly voted 54 percent to 46 percent to remove a clause in…

Dan Vestal corrects claim that Fellowship is ‘unchristian’

Why would some Baptist writers seem to go out of their way to create the impression that the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is not only not Baptist but not even Christian? This is what CBF executive coordinator, Daniel Vestal, is wondering…

Radical change: Are Southern Baptists ready for it?

Johnny Hunt's election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention came as no real surprise. Going in, most people assumed that he had a better chance than most of the other five candidates to emerge as the eventual winner. What…

Pastor aims at half his former self

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (BP)—Harold Chandler ain't half the preacher he once was. Last year, at 349 pounds, he was two cheeseburgers short of 350. Today he is under 190 pounds, well on his way to his goal of 170. He…

Jesus in MySpace: Churches use social networking sites

(ABP)—Social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are redefining the way many Americans build and maintain relationships—and also how their churches communicate. In the last few years, relating to social contacts through such sites has become practically ubiquitous among the under-30…

Young CBFers, responding to Sherman, call for end to bitter anti-SBC rhetoric

ATLANTA (ABP)—In response to controversial comments at the recent Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, a group of younger CBF supporters has called for an end to “old rhetoric” and for renewed attention to the world's needs. Seven leaders issued an…

Obama signals support for faith-based programs

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (ABP)—Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama vowed July 1 to carry on the best parts—and dump the worst—of President Bush's so-called “faith-based initiative.” “I still believe it's a good idea to have a partnership between the White House…

Power comes to Tappahannock

As Virginia Baptist youth leader across the state are gearing up for the annual YouthEnCounter, to be held July 31-Aug. 1 in Richmond, some are looking at last spring's Regional Youth EnCounter as a model for additional youth resources. Over…

News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for July 10, 2008

STAFF CHANGES • Ray Farrow, to Mine Road Church, Spotsylvania, as pastor. • Eric Pelter, to Mount Hermon Church, Mineral, as pastor. • Paul Beith, to Pioneer Church, Richmond, as pastor. • Dax Bostic, to Corinth Church, Council, as pastor….

Mohler again claims same-sex marriage harms children

Dan Patrick reiterates: ‘No separation of church and state’

Baptists know better than this

Judge bars Tennessee from revealing immigration status of sick children