Faced with a Barack Obama presidency and Democratic gains in Congress, evangelicals are planning their next steps in a transformed political landscape, with hopes for some common ground and plans to continue fighting for social issues that had mixed results…
EDITORIAL: Expecting treasure at the annual meeting
I have been surprised and even occasionally shocked to hear the reasons some give for not attending the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Some cite family responsibilities that tether them to home as the reason they…
Southern Baptists in Congress return to D.C.
WASHINGTON (BP) — No Southern Baptist members of Congress lost their seats in voting Nov. 4. Both senators and all 23 representatives who are members of Southern Baptist churches and were on the general-election ballot gained victories. Two members of…
SECOND OPINION: On giving
As we are all well aware, we are in the midst of a global economic crisis. The world is facing a financial maelstrom and so too are churches and religious bodies, including all the partners in the Baptist General Association…
Dobson claims election sets pro-lifers back years
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (ABP) — Focus on the Family founder James Dobson said Nov. 6 that Barack Obama's election could set America's pro-life movement back 35 years. In the first of a two-part broadcast on his radio show, Dobson admitted…
FCC bans some wireless microphones
WASHINGTON (BP) — After his church invested $250,000 in wireless technology, Chris Hinkle of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas is concerned by the federal government's Aug. 21 vote to ban wireless microphones in the 700 megahertz band. “There are 75…
Virginia churches asked to partner after Ike
BEAUMONT, Texas — New Beginnings Church is hoping it can live up to its name, and Virginia Baptists have been invited to help it do so. Hurricane Ike scattered the congregation, sending members evacuating to safer ground. The storm pulled…
GuideStone Services adds property & casualty insurance
DALLAS (BP) — This fall, many Southern Baptist churches and ministries will have access to property and casualty insurance and risk management services from GuideStone Agency Services. The GuideStone Property & Casualty (P&C) Program will gradually roll out regionally over…
Special events at the annual BGAV meeting in Roanoke
• African American Fellowship Dinner: Nov. 10, 5-7 p.m., Flat Rock Grille, Valley View Mall, 5033 Valley View Blvd. Contact: Wayne Faison. • Bivocational Pastors and Staff Luncheon: Nov. 11, 12 noon-1:45 p.m., Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre (2nd floor, back…
Fighting in Congo creates humanitarian crisis
NEW YORK (ABP) — Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is creating a “humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions,” the head of the United Nations said Oct. 29. U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon called attention to the flare-up, which…
EDITORIAL: The gifts of the Spirit
As you have seen, the theme of this issue is the “Holy Spirit.” I first began to think seriously about the Holy Spirit during my childhood. The female relatives on my mother's side became Pentecostals after Mom left home to…
Missionaries rejuvenate barn in Andean village
EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, focuses on missionaries who serve in South America as well as churches partnering with them, exemplifying the global outreach supported by Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie…