Number of female senior pastors doubles in 10 years. One in 10 U.S. churches employs a woman as senior pastor, double the percentage from a decade ago, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. Most of the women—58…
Meals on Wheels: A mission trip in your neighborhood
Clement “Mickey” Woodward is a member of First Baptist Church in Richmond; and for more than 10 years he’s made a mission trip once a month. His mission experience (or more like over 5,000 mission experiences) has typically taken him…
LETTER: Tasteless article
I was disturbed and disappointed in the article by Robert Marus and Ken Camp, “Christians are just as susceptible as anyone to internet rumor-mongering. What does that say about us,” that appeared in the Oct. 22 issue of the Religious…
LETTER: Taking ‘holy’ out of the Bible
With the passing of Thanksgiving, my e-mail box is filled with messages reminding Christians to put Christ back into Christmas. These chain messages admonish Christians not to say “Seasons Greetings” and to rebuke the “holiday tree.” I wonder where these…
‘Hand-in-Hand’ ministry strengthens impact of Northern Virginia church
SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Members of First Baptist Church in Springfield, Va., joined hands on Nov. 14 to accomplish several mission projects. One group wrapped and filled 136 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The shoe boxes will be distributed by…
SECOND OPINION: Christian Christmas chronic lyricosis
I am at times afflicted with chronic lyricosis — which is, on the off chance you have not heard of it, a malady characterized by the habitual misunderstanding of song lyrics. When I was a child, I thought the hymn…
Chris Tomlin: Recording artist wants young worshippers to give ‘glory to God in the highest’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Throughout his December concerts, Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin hopes to do more than spread Yuletide cheer. He wants young worshippers to find new meaning in traditional Christmas carols. “The lyrics of these songs are so beautiful,…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida does what needs doin’
Dear Jimmy, My gracious sakes alive, I thought the snowflakes would never stop fallin’. The snow just kept blowin’ and driftin’ and gettin’ deeper and deeper! Why the drifts between the house and the barn got so high that I…
HERITAGE: The day after Christmas
It is a let down. The Christmas tree which carried a hefty price tag on Christmas Eve is worthless and at my house I have to pay to have it hauled away. The presents which were chosen and wrapped with…