A regional celebration of the New Baptist Covenant is scheduled for April 24-25 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The event, focused on the theme, “This is God's Year to Act: Responding to a Society in Crisis,” will be held at Wake Forest…
Kay Warren: Following Christ means being ‘seriously disturbed’
WACO, Texas—Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ means being willing to say “yes” unconditionally to God, knowing he likely will lead his followers into uncomfortable places, Kay Warren told a group at Baptist-affiliated Baylor University. For Warren, it meant becoming…
North Carolina CBF anticipates fifth century of Baptist movement
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — How can Baptists maintain an effective witness into their fifth century of existence? More than 400 participants gathered at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 9 to mark the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement…
SECOND OPINION: Alright, kids. Time to grow up
President Obama's inaugural address might not have been one for the ages. But it certainly was the right one for the moment. Somber, sober and almost stern, our new president placed a mantle before the nation and gave us a…
Kentucky Baptist newspaper names South Carolinian editor
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP)—Kentucky Baptists have tapped veteran denominational journalist Todd Deaton to become the next editor of their historic newspaper, the Western Recorder. Deaton, 45, has been managing editor of the Baptist Courier, newspaper of the South Carolina Baptist Convention,…
OUT LOUD
“It is a nation with a lot of Christians in it. And I'm proud to be one of them. But it is not a Christian nation.” Bishop T. D. Jakes The author and pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas…
Southern Seminary cuts 35 positions
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in response to the national economic downturn, has reduced its administrative staff by 35 positions: 20 full-time and 15 part-time, effective Jan. 30. Each person will receive a severance package, including placement assistance, according…
HERITAGE: A man who cared
Bill Jenkins once was described as “firm, fair and faithful.” Roland Byrd, the long-time Baptist campus minister at Virginia Tech, who was describing his former boss and mentor in ministry, said, “Bill encouraged us and helped us to do what…
NAMB enacts spending slowdown
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—In remarks to some 250 staff members of the North American Mission Board on Jan. 8, President Geoff Hammond asked NAMB team leaders to operate at 90 percent of their approved budgets during 2009. However, Hammond said funds…
Anti-abortion forces seek government funding cuts for Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Undeterred by solid Democratic gains in November's national elections, religious conservatives who oppose abortion are going on the offensive with a new weapon—a sick economy. In its largest-ever state-based initiative, the Family Research Council is contacting every state lawmaker…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Can origins of Baptists be set?
I found it very interesting to read all the publicity about Baptist history in the Jan. 15 issue of the Religious Herald—do we date from early Christianity, or just 400 years or so ago, or somewhere in between? In the…
Rick Warren offers shelter for breakaway Anglicans
Evangelical pastor Rick Warren has offered to open the campus of his California megachurch to conservative Anglicans who have broken with the Episcopal Church. Warren, a best-selling author and prominent preacher, wrote to 30 Anglican leaders on Jan. 9, days…