In an Islamic country known for violent persecution of Christians, a local believer named Samuel (name changed for security reasons) hands out evangelistic tracts and films every day. One day, Samuel spotted a conservative Muslim man on a street corner…
FAITH DIGEST
Religious references OK on flag certificates. Americans who ask for a flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol now will be able to include religious references on the accompanying certificate under new guidelines. Some House members were angry after…
SECOND OPINION: Authentic evangelism, virtual or otherwise
The X-Box game Halo 3 was released recently and it is huge, with more than $300 million in sales in the first two weeks; it is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue. Within the Christian world, however,…
New about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for Oct. 25
STAFF CHANGES • Scott Covington, to Berea Church, Fredericksburg, as pastor. • Gwynn Davis Jr., to Chester Church, Chester, as interim pastor. • Whitney Jo Clarke, to Mount Hermon Church, Danville, as minister to preschool and children. • James L….
Interest violates Scriptural command
In response to the article “Payday, someday?,” which appeared in the Oct. 4 issue, let me first of all applaud the efforts by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy to combat the practices of payday lenders in our commonwealth….
RIGHT OR WRONG?
A well-to-do couple in our church has offered to buy our softball team's church-league equipment and uniforms if the church will elect the husband as a deacon and name him chairman. If this request is as haywire as I think…
OUTLOUD
“Our focus right now is saving lives. We can save souls tomorrow.” Bishop T. D. Jakes The Dallas pastor spoke at a two-day conference of black clergy organized by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. (RNS) “It seemed self-evident…
Southerners give more to religious organizations
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The numbers prove it: Southerners are more generous to their churches, while lagging in other categories of giving. Using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new study by empty tomb inc. shows that in 2005,…
The Spirit in stone
A church building is “God's calling card,” telling the watching world what we believe, says one Christian architect. So what message are we sending? If your sanctuary could speak, what would it say? The truth is, it does speak—every day,…
News about Virginia Baptists and their Ministries for Oct. 18, 2007
STAFF CHANGES • Phil Andrews, to Liberty Church, Hopewell, as senior pastor. • Michael Alan Jordan, to Mount Vernon Church, Axton, as pastor. • Bill Sigler, to Saluda Church, Saluda, as pastor. • Earnie Taylor, resigning as pastor of Union…
Historic sanctuaries: To be or not to be?
DALLAS—When maintaining a sanctuary with a long history, congregations must look long into the future, according to Keith Crouch, Baptist General Convention of Texas church architecture director. Spencer Elliott Calvary Baptist Church, New York City Decisions about maintaining a historic…
Revival of the arts
FALLS CHURCH (ABP)—Architect Larry Cook believes “any building completely devoid of art is devoid of spirituality.” The Virginian is one of a growing number of architects who welcome the return of symbolism and spirituality to church buildings. After decades of…