I. Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan…
Hispanics aim for $1 million Lottie Moon Offering this year
RICHMOND (BP) — Members of Vida Nueva (New Life) Baptist Church know all too well about sacrifice. Many of them are immigrants making low wages. But the congregation of fewer than 100 has found reason to celebrate and to give…
NPR comments force out NAE’s Cizik
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Backlash over comments about gay rights on a public-radio broadcast has apparently cost a prominent National Association of Evangelicals lobbyist his job. Richard Cizik resigned Dec. 10 as the NAE's vice president for governmental affairs, according to…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for Dec. 18, 2008
CHURCH NEWS • The Christmas story comes to life at Bethlehem Village, sponsored by churches in the Afton, Waynesboro and Charlottesville area. Located on the grounds of Hebron Church, Afton, the village will be open Dec. 19 to 23 from…
Leading the black church: Can it be a woman’s place?
CLEVELAND (RNS) — Imelda Ellison sits quietly in her pew as, one by one, dressed all in white, the members of the Emmanuel Women of Worship come down the center aisle. Their heads held high, 15 women step and sway,…
Whose birthday are we celebrating?
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It's time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do just…
FAITH DIGEST
Feds say hunger rose in 2007. Hunger in America continued to rise last year, and participation in the food-stamp program is approaching record highs, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2007, 11.1 percent of U.S….
Spending time and money wisely:
• Draw names instead of giving to everyone. • Let others help; tell them your intention to give less and ask them not to buy an expensive gift. • Give family gifts instead of individual gifts. • Give gifts only…
American Baptist agency faces shortfall
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — The board of American Baptists' National Ministries met Nov. 12-13 to consider cuts to cover a $1 million gap between the organization's income and expenses. According to American Baptist News Service, National Ministries Executive…
Tough economic times don’t dim lights on Living Christmas Trees
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — Rather than cutting back on lavish Christmas programs this year due to the economy, some church leaders insist hard times make them more valuable than ever. Billy Orton, minister of music and worship at First Baptist…
Oklahoma elects first Native American president
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (BP) — Emerson Falls, pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and a member of the Sac and Fox and Choctaw tribes, was elected as the first Native American president of the Baptist General Convention of…
Dollars and sense: Families struggle with financial stewardship
Money demands attention — particularly in challenging economic times. Rich or poor, people think about it daily, whether paying for a hamburger or praying for a job. Lives can change quickly and drastically as a result of a few critical…