Baptist News Global

Virginia Baptist pastors to meet at Thalia Lynn

The 2006 Virginia Baptist Pastors Conference will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. The conference will feature a time of worship, testimonies, teaching and preaching. The theme for the conference is “Surviving…

Seven states pass constitutional amendments defining marriage

A majority of states in America now have adopted constitutional marriage amendments. Seven states—including Virginia—passed amendments Nov. 7 defining marriage, bringing to 27 the number of states nationwide that have adopted amendments aimed at prohibiting gay marriage. An eighth state,…

Pastors examine change in variety of settings

Three Virginia pastors from rural, small town and urban settings joined well-known pastor/speaker Leith Anderson to share experiences at the Virginia Baptist Pastors Conference last month. Anderson and the Virginia pastors discussed the dynamics of change in each of their…

Fearful of W&M action

As a William and Mary graduate (class of 1946),I too was angered and shocked by the decision of President Gene Nichol to remove the bronze cross from Wren Chapel [Herald, Nov. 23]. Having attended many services in that chapel when…

ANOTHER VIEW: A week of contrasts

While following the news, I could not miss the contrasts. Within a week, we have witnessed the deaths of two leaders with two completely different legacies. These men, Gerald Ford and Saddam Hussein, forever connected by death, were as different…

Bill Cumbie, BGAV leader, dies at 83

William J. “Bill” Cumbie, 83, a former president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia who as executive director of the Mount Vernon Baptist Association (now NorthStar) played a central role in the growth of its member congregations over 30…

FIRST PERSON: What kind of moderates are Virginia Baptists?

In a recent editorial a syndicated conservative columnist observes that politicians are difficult to label. He notes the liberal label historically has fit one American political party well because of its willingness to promote military intervention for humanitarian causes. He…

Hammond elected president by NAMB’s trustees

In a unanimous vote March 21, trustees of the North American Mission Board elected Geoff Hammond as president of the Southern Baptist Convention's stateside mission body. Hammond, 49, will start full-time work for the entity May 22. Hammond is currently…

The music man

For three decades, Allen R. Brown led the music ministry of Virginia Baptists. He easily was the most recognized voice and face at a Virginia Baptist state meeting and clearly among the most respected and beloved members of the Mission…

Media bias? Not what some might think

WASHINGTON (ABP)—A new study by two Washington-based groups asserts that the mainstream media, derided by some as liberally biased, actually overemphasizes the importance of religious conservatives. Media Matters for America and Faith in Public Life released the report, titled “Left…

Joint meeting of American Baptists, CBF models newfound cooperation

WASHINGTON (ABP)—Worship infused with music and missions, cooperation and communion, and doses of laughter marked a historic reunion of Baptists in the nation's capital city. The American Baptist Churches USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship held their first national joint…

RIGHT OR WRONG: Incorporating a church

Our church is newly organized. We've been advised to incorporate and to adopt a constitution and bylaws. This all seems like a lot of work, and it might negatively impact what we are trying to do. What's the validity of…

Y’all means all

Religious liberty ‘is not a sword to harm others,’ Laser says

The stories we tell define us

Whatever happened to heaven?