Atheists to launch bus ads. Beginning Nov. 18, holiday ads from the American Humanist Association will appear on Washington, D.C., buses, declaring: “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake.” The $40,000 ad campaign is not necessarily…
EDITORIAL: Pewboy grapples with a hard faith
As Pewboy drove home from Roanoke where he had attended the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia his stomach was in knots. Noting his apprehension, his confidante, spiritual advisor and sounding board, Altarego, materialized in the passenger's…
Return to Chester
Last week's column told about my character portrayal of William E. Hatcher, the noted old-time preacher, when he recently had a return engagement in Baltimore where he served as a pastor in the 1860s. This week's column tells about a…
FAITHSHAPERS: Teaching baptism
Because of its symbolic nature, baptism is very hard to explain to children. They often see baptism as some sort of magical event that draws their attention and activates their powerful need for inclusion. It is the duty of the…
Publishers seek to give the Bible a thoroughly modern makeover
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Bible is getting a makeover as publishers try to catch every type of customer's attention and draw in new readers who would be unlikely to pick it up in its traditional form. With different packaging, The…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for November 13, 2008
STAFF CHANGES • Robert Belcher, to Stuart Church, Stuart, as pastor. • Garry Edwards, resigning as pastor of Thomas Village Church, Duffield. • Henry Styron, resigning as pastor of North Pamunkey Church, Orange, to accept a pastorate in North Carolina….
FAITH DIGEST
Religious hate crimes dropped last year. Hate crimes directed against people on the basis of religion decreased in 2007, according to the FBI. In 2006, the FBI reported 1,597 hate crimes motivated by a religious bias. That figure dropped to…
All churches urged to participate in the Annual Church Profile
Each year through the Annual Church Profile (ACP) process, Virginia Baptist churches submit important data, including information about church leadership, membership, finances, baptisms, Sunday school, discipleship, missions and Vacation Bible School. The ACP is a statistical testimony to the work…
Baptist leaders from Russia, Georgia seek reconciliation
KIEV, Ukraine (ABP) — Baptist leaders from Russia and Georgia met Oct. 30 in Kiev to pursue improved relations between Baptists in the two countries, marred by war earlier this year. Representatives of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia and…
Azerbaijani pastor’s trial delayed, attorney cries foul
The long-awaited trial of an Azerbaijani Baptist pastor arrested in June has had another delay. Hamid Shabanov, 52, was supposed to stand trial Oct. 31 on what supporters say are bogus weapons charges. But his family and lawyer told the…
Baptist World Aid seeks funds for Congo
FALLS CHURCH (ABP) — The head of an international Baptist relief agency has sent out an urgent fundraising appeal to ease the suffering of victims of civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just back from a conference in…
RESPONSE: Women and the pastorate
I wish to comment on the 2nd Opinion by David Gushee [“Gender debate ultimately about Jesus”] published in the Religious Herald on Oct 2. Since I am a storyteller, I would like to refer to a favorite tale by Hans…