FAIRFAX, Va. (ABP) — A British Baptist minister is being held in a Virginia jail on charges of child molestation. Robert Dando, senior minister of Worcester Park Baptist Church in Surrey, United Kingdom, was arrested July 24 in Oakton, Va. He is…
Evangelicals condemn church’s plan to burn Quran on 9/11 anniversary
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The National Association of Evangelicals has condemned plans by a Florida church to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., announced its plans…
Washington in a war of words over how to label terrorists
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In addition to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Obama administration is fighting on another front — a domestic war of words over how to describe the threat posed by militant Islamic terrorism. Earlier this spring,…
Former Virginia Baptist youth minister accused of sex with teen in his church
WOODBRIDGE, Va. (ABP) — A former Virginia Baptist youth minister has been arrested on charges that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a teenage girl in his church. Police in Northern Virginia’s Prince William County arrested Jason Bolton, 32,…
Is the Tea Party unbiblical? It all depends on your perspective
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck warned church-goers to “run as fast as you can” if their pastors preach about “social justice,” was he also encouraging them to run from the Bible? That’s what some progressive Christian leaders…
Former Virginia Baptist church secretary charged with embezzlment
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (ABP) — The former financial secretary of a Virginia Baptist church has been arrested on charges that she embezzled nearly $300,000 in church funds over the course of years. Police say Michele M. Roberts, 61, stole $287,678…
FAITH DIGEST
Study reveals Amish growth. A new study says the population of North American Amish has increased nearly 10 percent in the past two years, causing many communities to turn westward in search of new land. Conducted by the Young Center…
RIGHT or WRONG? Cremation
Our family cannot decide whether cremation is biblically acceptable. Can you provide some biblical reference points or standards? Cremation is an increasingly popular alternative to burial. Since it isn’t a traditional Christian form, believers can struggle with its biblical acceptability….
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Four stages of evangelism
Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary describes evangelism as “the winning or revival of personal commitment to Christ.” The original word in Greek means “announcing the Good News.” As Christians we are committed to “announcing the Good News” in the hope and…
NOTES FROM THE FIELD: How do you measure success?
FORT YATES, N.D. — This is wrap-up day for Virginia Baptist volunteers at Standing Rock. Tomorrow we leave. Teams are saying their goodbyes to children, youth and adults at Cannon Ball, Fort Yates, Porcupine, McLaughlin, Bullhead, Little Eagle and Wakpala. One…
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Snappy themes captures unique meaning and purpose
Add some color to your building program! Be creative — give it a life-breathing name, a snappy theme, that captures its unique meaning and purpose. Ultimately this will telegraph the signature message of what your building program and new project…
Changes occur when Church is empowered, says Watson
HONOLULU — Whenever the Christian Church looks at the world through the power of the Holy Spirit, something amazing is about to take place and change is on its way, a Richmond, Va., pastor told the Baptist World Congress. Under…