WASHINGTON (RNS)—Despite its minority status, atheism has enjoyed the spotlight recently, with several books that feature vehement arguments against religion topping bestseller lists. But now even some secular humanists are saying they should embrace more than the strident rhetoric poured…
NEW: Definition of Cooperative Program sparks SBC messenger debate
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A proposal to define what constitutes Cooperative Program giving sparked lengthy debate during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, including a charge that the measure “goes against historical Baptist polity.” The recommendation…
Again the SBC is unfair
I noted with some sadness the article in the May 17 issue of the Herald announcing Virginia nominees to Southern Baptist Convention agencies. Once again, members of churches belonging to the Baptist General Association of Virginia are in scant evidence…
Frontline ministry
The closer people get to a foxhold, the more spiritual they generally become, a frontline military chaplain observed. Tough circumstances—and the accompanying escalated interest in spiritual matters—provide countless opportunities for military chaplains like U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Perdue of the…
A definition of high energy
A dictionary gives the following definition of energy: “Capacity or habit of vigorous activity; also, ability to produce action or effect.” The compiler of words must have known Hugh Thomas Busey. In everyday laymen speak, he has been aptly called…
As the war goes on, so does the work of military
CHICAGO (RNS)–Once you've seen the brutal face of evil, you start looking for the tender face of God, Chaplain Robert Barry said. Barry is an Air National Guard chaplain who spends his summers working with injured soldiers at Landstuhl military…
EDITORIAL: An army waging war against itself
Universal Press Syndicate released the following story. The headline reads “Holiest site becoming one of the stinkiest.” The story follows. “Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre most recently made News of the Weird in 2004 because of continued petty territorial…
Southern Baptist tapped as Army chief of chaplains
Chaplain Douglas Carver has been nominated to serve as the next U.S. Army chief of chaplains—the first Southern Baptist to lead the Army's chaplain corps in more than 50 years. Carver, 55, also has been recommended for promotion in rank…
As Senate debates immigration bill, Christian leaders say it’s worth a shot
WASHINGTON (ABP)—It may face an uphill battle in Congress, but some Christian leaders are saying the Senate's latest immigration-reform proposal is better than doing nothing on the issue. The legislation passed an initial test when the Senate voted May 21…
Deployed
CHARLOTTESVILLE–Joel Jenkins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, temporarily changed congregations last year—and the relocation was extreme. Jenkins, a longtime Army Reserve chaplain, was called to active duty in Iraq last June with barely a week's notice. For the…
Right or Wrong?
In light of the recent events at Virginia Tech, how can my church respond to this tragedy—and others like it? And what can my congregation do to prevent alienation, hostility and anger around us? Many of us have been asking…
Chaplain strives to be the presence of Christ in war zone
ALANBAR, Iraq (ABP)–Chaplain Alan Rogers has baptized a Marine in an Iraqi river under armed protection. Needless to say, it was a quick job. A Marine Corps corporal asked Rogers to baptize in the Euphrates River in Iraq, near the…