Baptist News Global

Passing the torch: When a longtime pastor leaves, succession can be sticky

When the only pastor an entire generation at a church has known leaves, there's no set model for ensuring a smooth transition, experts say. The right way to do it at one time in a church's history may be wrong…

The church has a new pastor. When will it start to feel normal?

NEW YORK (ABP)—When a beloved pastor leaves a church, the replacement often faces an uphill battle in winning the trust and respect of the congregation. Sometimes, the newcomer faces a challenge simply in getting people to remember his name. Winfred…

Pastoral residency offers mentoring for young ministers

When a Baptist minister graduates from seminary or divinity school, what factors predict whether that person will succeed or fail in local church ministry? Educational training plays a part, as does the personality of the congregation the minister serves. But…

Collaboration essential part of effective mentoring

DALLAS—It's not coincidental that the pastoral residency program at Wilshire Baptist Church occurs in a group context. Wilshire employs four pastoral residents with help from the Lilly Endowment and supports a music ministry resident out of the church budget. The…

Students want to serve God’s kingdom – not necessarily in the church

College students who feel a calling into ministry passionately want to make a difference for God's kingdom. But a significant number don't believe the local-church setting is the place to do it, according to guidance directors for ministerial students at…

Sharing sport and spirit: International soccer players offer more than skill tips

Churches in the Fredericksburg area regularly send members to foreign countries to do mission work. In early August, three foreign countries sent missionaries to Frederick-sburg to help local children sharpen their soccer skills and their faith. The event was hosted…

Virginia Baptists’ Venturers program to total 14 this fall

RICHMOND—By this fall, Virginia Baptists' Venturer program will have 14 Venturers serving around the world in response to requests from Virginia Baptist mission partners for assistance with a variety of ministry needs. Venturers are individuals and couples at least 18…

VIRGINIA BRIEFS

Falwell's insurance erases LU debt. Thanks to a substantial life insurance policy on the late Jerry Falwell, the university he founded is now debt-free, according to university officials. Jerry Falwell Jr., Liberty University's chancellor and son of its founder, announced…

EDITORIAL: Love your enemies and pray for …

Wiley Drake, former second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and has requested prayer for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and particularly for two staff members. For those who may not be aware, Americans United…

SECOND OPINION: Responding to the immigration crisis

Without question immigration currently is a hot button issue for all Americans, all Christians and all Virginia Baptists. Daniel Carro, coordinator of the Latino Network of Virginia Baptists and professor of divinity at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies,…

Imagining the future

In the summer of 1877, “the June meeting” or annual meeting of the General Association was held in Danville. Jeremiah Bell Jeter, one of the grand old men of the Association, was present and actively engaged in the meeting. Jeter…

Baptist experience

At a time when many are trying to rewrite Baptist history and many are ashamed to put the name “Baptist” on their church sign, the publication by William E. Hull of his newest book, The Meaning of the Baptist Experience,…

What Disclosure Day reveals about evangelicals’ fears

Insufficient

6 ways the Reflecting Pool boondoggle mirrors Trump and MAGA

Pilate asked Jesus, ‘What is truth?’