It amazes me that there are well-meaning church folk who continue to squabble over issues such as proper baptism practices. Do we understand that when we fret over “distinctive Baptist practices” that few in our society understand or care about,…
The first fight
I just read a wonderful review of a new book on the America gospel written by Jon Meacham. It said that America's first fight was over faith. It went on to say that when the Founding Fathers gathered for the…
In the schoolhouse or the church house?
Fifty years ago most children received some exposure to the Judeo-Christian faith tradition in the tax-supported public schools. My faintest recollection is that my school had opening exercises with the pledge to the flag, some Bible verses and a prayer….
ANOTHER VIEW: The stem cell veto
President Bush's veto July 19 of any change in his stem cell research policy was derided by many as a sop to his conservative base. But the price that the president and his party are sure to pay for this…
Poplar Spring students can’t get enough of Impact Virginia!
The students of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Richmond love Impact Virginia! — not only have they attended this mission-minded work camp for the past 10 years, this summer they decided one week at Impact wasn't enough. On Monday, June…
As U.S. missionaries are reported safe, Lebanese Baptists describe suffering
As United States Marines began evacuating Americans in earnest from a besieged Beirut July 19 and U.S. Baptist groups reported their missionaries in the region safe, a Lebanese Baptist leader said his people's suffering would seem “quite saddening and depressing”…
Virginia Baptists to send $8,000
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is sending $8,000 to the Lebanese Baptist Society to use in the ministry to refugees fleeing the attacks in Lebanon. Jerry Jones, team leader for the board's glocal missions and evangelism team, approved the expenditure…
Arab Baptist help in Lebanon’s worsening humanitarian situation
Nabil Costa, executive director of the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development, is reporting that Lebanese Baptists need medical care, medication, mattresses, hygiene items and clothing to help with thousands of refugees in their country. Both the Arab Baptist…
Christian Peacemaker Teams to send delegation to Hebron
(RNS) — The North American activist group Christian Peacemaker Teams, which lost a member to violence in Baghdad this year, is sending 12 delegates to the West Bank town of Hebron on July 26 for a short course on peacemaking….