Baptist News Global

Are atheists now becoming the new fundamentalists?

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Despite its minority status, atheism has enjoyed the spotlight recently, with several books that feature vehement arguments against religion topping bestseller lists. But now even some secular humanists are saying they should embrace more than the strident rhetoric poured…

Study suggests Muslims in U.S. more mainstream than in Europe

WASHINGTON (ABP)—One of the most comprehensive studies of its kind suggests Muslims in the United States are far better assimilated into the nation's culture—and far less likely to espouse extremist beliefs—than their counterparts in Europe. However, the Pew Research Center…

FAITH DIGEST

Creation Museum opens The Answers in Genesis Ministry opened a $27 million Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., just across the state line from Cincinnati, Memorial Day weekend. The main hall of the 60,000-square-foot building features animatronic dinosaurs and figures of…

Virginia Baptist named to lead TLW expansion in Africa

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Virginia Baptist Sharon Pumpelly, who with her husband, Larry, spent 25 years as an International Mission Board missionary in Uganda and Kenya, has been named lead consultant for True Love Waits International's expansion in Africa, LifeWay president and CEO…

Election of Romanian Baptist may signal unity

CLUJ, Romania (ABP)—In a move signaling a renewed interest in partnering with the European Baptist Federation, Romanian Baptists have elected Otniel Bunaciu as their president. The May 18 decision of the 34th congress of the Baptist Union of Romania was…

Christianity Today chooses top books

(RNS)—Christianity Today magazine has chosen its top books for 2007, awarding honors in 10 categories for work of interest to evangelical Christians. Ten winners of the Christianity Today Book Award 2007 were chosen in the following categories: • Apologetics/Evangelism: The…

BAPTIST BRIEFS

N.C. colleges may elect trustees, lose funding Five colleges affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina would be able to elect their own trustees under a plan adopted by the convention's board of directors, but the schools will…

Georgia church is largest yet to call woman as senior pastor

DECATUR, Ga. (ABP)—A female pastor who broke the “stained-glass ceiling” in Texas Baptist life is expected to move to a historic church near Atlanta, making it by far the largest Southern Baptist church led by a woman. A search committee…

Half of SBC pastors believe in ‘prayer languages,’ study reveals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)—Half of the senior pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention believe some people are granted a special, spiritual language for prayer, a recent survey has found. The findings, from LifeWay Christian Resources, come in the midst of continued…

News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for June 14, 2007

STAFF CHANGES ï¿½ Jim Hewitt, to Pocahontas Bassett Church, Bassett, as pastor, effective July 9. ï¿½ Matthew W. Rondeau, to Mt. Tirzah Church, Charlotte Courthouse, as pastor. ï¿½ Danny Blalock, to Moore's Swamp Church, Elberon, as full-time pastor. ï¿½ Skip…

NEW: SBC messengers re-elect Page, hear motions on agency policies, clergy sex abuse

SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Frank Page was re-elected without opposition to the traditional second one-year term as president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the first day of the denomination's annual meeting, which also featured efforts to curb clergy sexual…

NEW: Virginians named to SBC’s committee on nominations

RICHMOND — Two Virginians have been named to the Southern Baptist Convention's 2007-2008 committee on nominations, Baptist Press has reported. The powerful committee — which nominates people to serve on the convention's boards, commissions and committees — will present its…

Islamophobia is the next bogeyman

The Black Church cannot remain America’s emergency moral infrastructure

We are manna

Webinar explores religious context of America’s Founders