Declaring “our total opposition to the … consuming of alcoholic beverages,” Southern Baptist Convention messengers adopted a strongly worded resolution on the issue June 14. Messengers adopted 15 resolutions presented by the SBC Resolutions Committee on issues ranging from genocide…
SBC sends issue back to trustees
The SBC's International Mission Board will get a chance to resolve its own trustee dispute, despite a plea for outside arbitration. Trustee Wade Burleson asked SBC messengers to authorize the convention's Executive Committee to create a special committee to study…
Condi Rice tells messengers U.S.’s job is to spread freedom
In an address that was received like a campaign stump speech, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, exhorting her listeners to support the United States in spreading freedom around the globe. After a…
Rogers’ widow warns of narrowing parameters in SBC
(ABP) — Adrian Rogers' widow captured unexpected attention at the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference by asserting her husband would not approve of narrowing parameters of fellowship in the Southern Baptist Convention. Joyce Rogers, whose deceased husband was a former Southern…
New SBC president upsets power brokers in razor-thin victory
In a major upset, outsider Frank Page of South Carolina was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention over two candidates closely tied to the SBC's conservative power structure. Page, who described his election as a victory for grassroots Baptists,…
Moore defeated in GOP nomination
In what may be the final act of the drama that has been Roy Moore's political life, the so-called “Ten Commandments Judge” went down to resounding defeat June 6 in his race for Alabama's Republican gubernatorial nomination. Moore lost to…
Senate votes down marriage amendment
For the second time in as many election years, the Senate has killed a proposal to amend the Constitution to deny marriage to same-sex couples. That won't stop the House from taking up the same proposal, though, and opponents of…
EDITORIAL: Bumper sticker wars
As I write this, I am preparing to attend the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina. Aside from the anticipated bickering over the presidency and predicted controversy over resolutions, messengers are sure to hear a challenge from current…
ANOTHER VIEW: Mission givers break cultural mold
American evangelicals stand accused of being captives of culture—selfish, materialistic, unconcerned about the world. If we're honest, sometimes we have to plead guilty as charged. Christian pollster George Barna frequently supplies the evidence to convict us. His research measures the…
A long friendship
The days around Memorial Day weekend 2006 will long be remembered as the visit to Virginia by a delegation of some 25 Chinese from the China Christian Council, who were hosted by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. For several years…
Religious broadcasters fear viewers may opt out
Evangelical Christians are on the front lines in the battle over indecency on cable television, calling for a pick-and-choose pricing plan that would allow viewers to keep certain channels out of their homes. But on the opposite end of the…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for June 15, 2006
STAFF CHANGES Jim Booth, to Staples Mill Road Church, Glen Allen, as pastor, effective June 25. Kevin Schrum, to Smithland Church, Heathsville, as full-time pastor. Juan Garcia, to First Church, Newport News, as Hispanic pastor. Mike Jones, to Enon Church,…