INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — While many Christians view evolution as a threat to religion, a growing number of churches view Charles Darwin's 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work The Origin of Species as something to celebrate. More…
FAITH DIGEST
Church closes for a month to save money. Many Americans are giving up something in this dire economy. But Sharon Dawson will go without something unusual: her church. To save money, First Unitarian Church in Portland, Ore., has decided to…
Columbia Church challenges members to ‘Spend Yourself’
Although many pastors would be content if their churches met in three different congregations with 14 separate services using seven different languages, Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, challenged the church leaders to “take it to…
Obama rearranges faith-based office, vows to maintain church-state wall
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Obama announced a revamped version of his predecessor's office on faith-based charities Feb. 5, restructuring it with a broad advisory council and vowing to pay close attention to church-state concerns. “The goal of this office will…
FIRST PERSON: The price of coffee
FALLS CHURCH — “$2.19,” the cashier says after I place my order for a small iced coffee. I'm tempted to order an iced latte instead, but that would bump up the price by a dollar. I choose to stick with…
Senate rejects aid for religious buildings
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Senate defeated 54-43 an amendment to the economic stimulus bill Feb. 5 that would have allowed federal funding for renovations at college buildings that are used for religious activity. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed the…
$10.1 million gift accelerates barracks building at FUMA
FORK UNION — Fork Union Military Academy has received a gift of $10.1 million, allowing the Virginia Baptist-affiliated school to begin construction on a new barracks facility — a project initiated three years ago. The donors are Jerry and Laura…
First regional New Baptist Covenant event focuses on reconciliation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Former President Jimmy Carter went to a shrine of the Civil Rights Movement Jan. 31 to drive home a point about racial reconciliation among Baptists, stepping up into the pulpit of the Birmingham, Ala., church where…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards grants to six ministries
RICHMOND — The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded grants totaling $40,000 to six Virginia Baptist ministry partners according to Ronald C. Hall, president and CEO of the foundation. “We are able to award these dollars due to the Christian stewardship…