STAFF CHANGES • Melvin Bradshaw, to New Hope Church, Skipwith, as interim pastor. • Nabeel Qureshi, to Jackson Memorial Church, Chesapeake, as minister of students and singles. • Daniel Vanover, resigning as youth director at First Church, Appalachia. ORDINATION •…
FAITH DIGEST
Evangelical scientist nominated to head national agency. Francis Collins, the researcher who mapped the human genome and navigated clashes between his Christian faith and science, has been nominated by President Obama to lead the National Institutes of Health. An atheist…
Baptist Extension Board expands loan policy to assist churches struggling in flat economy
RICHMOND — Virginia Baptist churches which are struggling with financial shortfalls may find some relief as a result of a new policy adopted July 24 by the Baptist Extension Board. For the first time, the Extension Board is offering loans…
Episcopal presiding bishop terms individualistic salvation ‘heresy’ and ‘idolatry’
ANAHEIM, Calif. (ABP) — The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church called the evangelical teaching that individuals can be right with God a “great Western heresy” that is behind many problems facing the church and the wider society. Presiding Bishop…
Christian schools report more closures, see increased drops in enrollment
A Colorado-based organization of Christian schools is reporting that more than 200 schools closed or merged in its last fiscal year. As of June 30, 186 schools had closed and 16 had merged, according to the Association of Christian Schools…
White House advisory council maps out faith-based plans
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Members of a new White House advisory council have mapped out plans to link government and religious groups, from interfaith service projects to regional town halls on fatherhood. Eboo Patel, founder of Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core, said…
Leland Center moves into Baptist World Alliance building
FALLS CHURCH — Baptists’ presence in this Northern Virginia suburb just got bigger. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies has moved its main campus from Arlington to Falls Church, where it is leasing two floors in the Baptist World…
Rock band’s gritty gospel, spiritual depth touch hearts
The intersection of faith and culture often looks less like a four-way stop and more like a mix-master. Faith-based messages have made frequent and bold appearances in film, music, art, theater and other forms of creative expression. This invites the…
SBC needs overhaul, says writer of ‘Great Commission Resurgence’ document
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP) — The lead author of a “Great Commission Resurgence” document circulating among Southern Baptist Convention leaders says a major overhaul of denominational structures must occur if the convention is going to engage younger pastors. Danny Akin,…