Baptists in Maryland and Delaware were challenged to “Embrace the Call” to worship, disciple, serve and witness during their 171st annual meeting in Solomons, Md., Nov. 13-14. Robert Smith Jr., an associate professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School in…
Maryland court to hear arguments in marriage case
For a few months at least, the epicenter of the nationwide legal debate over gay marriage will reside in Maryland. The state's highest court was to hear oral arguments Monday, Dec. 4, in a case that could make the Old…
BGCT to turn over probe results to law enforcement
Officials with the Baptist General Convention of Texas will give law-enforcement agencies the documents produced by an independent investigation that revealed financial malfeasance in its church-starting efforts. Executive Director Charles Wade will provide officials “complete copies of a BGCT-commissioned investigative…
What do they think?
Southern Baptists were viewed favorably by 57 percent of adults interviewed as part of recent research conducted by the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board's Center for Missional Research through Zogby International. The positive outlook toward Southern Baptists, United…
Labels mask diverse opinions on faith issues, study says
The stereotypical images of “liberals” and “evangelicals” create a distorted picture of what issues are important to each group, according to new research. A recent survey by researchers at Baylor University reveals much more diverse opinions than politicians have assumed….
Author probes Thanksgiving’s ‘deep religious impulses’
With its celebration of bounty and goodwill, not to mention its endearing lack of commercialization, Thanksgiving may be the most beloved of American holidays. But is the Thanksgiving Americans celebrate today mere myth-making, resting on ahistorical stereotypes? Take the fabled…
FIRST HAND: Baptist secretaries find fellowship through national organization
The officers of the Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia were in attendance at the National Association of Southern Baptist Secretaries Leadership Conference, hosted in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 1-4. President Sandy Weakley, vice president of membership Nancy Wicker, vice president…
Anne Davis, social-work pioneer, dies; had deep Virginia Baptist ties
Anne Davis, a renowned Baptist social worker with deep ties to Virginia Baptist life, died Nov. 9. She was 69. Born in Baskerville, Va., Davis grew up in a rural farming community. After earning degrees from Averett College, Westhampton College…
N.C. Baptists reject bylaw changes giving colleges, others more freedom
Messengers to the annual North Carolina Baptist state convention meeting struck down proposed bylaw changes that would have given convention-related institutions more influence over the appointment of trustees and directors. The proposed amendments, more than a year in the making…