WASHINGTON (ABP) — A large study of religious Americans suggests white evangelicals' views on gay rights may be shifting to the left. The survey, which includes one of the largest samples of younger voters' political and religious views ever taken,…
Baptism still Baptists’ symbol but ‘problems’ must be answered
WACO, Texas (ABP) — After four centuries, believers baptism remains the symbol of Baptist identity, historian Bill Leonard stressed during a lecture series at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. But in the 21st century, Baptists must respond to…
Catholic views on abortion, gay marriage depend on frequency of church attendance
WASHINGTON (RNS) — U.S. Catholic voters are split on the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage between those who attend church at least twice a month and those who attend church less often, according to a new survey by the…
SBC seminary professor calls birth control ‘sin’
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary professor has sparked controversy with a recent sermon labeling use of birth-control pills a sin. Thomas White, vice president for student services and communications and associate professor of systematic theology at…
ANALYSIS: ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’ –unless it’s in a campaign ad
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Distortions, stretches, half-truths and omissions are familiar features of political campaigns. But independent fact-checkers and analysts say outright falsehoods in candidates' ads may be reaching a level not seen since TV commercials entered presidential politics more than…
IMB encourages background checks for short-termers
RICHMOND (RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board has requested that participants in its short-term mission trips pass background checks before leaving for the field. The new child protection policy, which is not mandatory and would not apply…
Francis Shaeffer’s son says his father wouldn’t recognize the movement he birthed
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As a Christian phil-osopher, author and political activist, Francis Schaeffer urged conservative Christians to battle abortion and engage the secular culture. But he would have recoiled from the “snide” comments and jeering at this summer's Republican National…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for October 30, 2008
STAFF CHANGES MISSIONS MOMENT An 8-member team from Walnut Hills Church, Williamsburg, traveled to Odessa, Ukraine, Sept. 23-Oct. 3 to meet with Pastor Igor Bandura and the congregation of Grace Baptist Church. The trip focused on ways the two churches…
Virginia Mission Board gets first look at reduced BGAV budget for 2009
LYNCHBURG — The Virginia Baptist Mission Board has gotten its first look at a proposed budget that will reduce funding for Virginia Baptist ministries by more than half a million dollars in 2009. Meeting at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center…