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…
Who is my neighbor?
ROANOKE — The Baptist General Association of Virginia, acknowledging an uncertain economic environment, approved a reduced budget for 2009 during a quiet annual meeting that drew about 1,250 people. At the Nov. 11-12 meeting, messengers also elected a retired public…
Spirit-filled churches
In the Nov. 6 edition of the Religious Herald, an article attributed to ABP, written by Bob Allen, was entitled “Trinity debate trickles down to gender roles.” One paragraph reads, “In a June sermon .. Bruce Ware, professor of Christian…
A good time to be Virginia Baptist, says outgoing president Lewis
ROANOKE — Joe Lewis, who presided at last week's meeting as he concluded his year as BGAV president, opened the sessions by calling messengers to “celebrate the family called Virginia Baptists and celebrate the response to the invitation of God,…
Out Loud
“I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere — this is what I always pray — I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is. … And if…
Rethink the concept of neighbor, says Campolo
Before Christians can carry out the Great Commission, they need to carry out the Great Commandment — to love your neighbor as yourself, evangelist Tony Campolo told Virginia Baptists last week. Interpreting the theme “Who Is My Neighbor?” in three…