WASHINGTON (RNS) — For playwright Marcus Gardley, the theater is his pulpit, and plays are his sermons. His latest production, Every Tongue Confess, seeks answers to the questions that swirled around the spate of arsons that hit black churches in…
RIGHT or WRONG? Helping world Baptists
Fifty-seven percent of the world’s Baptists live in North America. U.S. Baptists say we are mission-minded and concerned about social justice. But are we so self-centered and content that we can’t provide major assistance to expand the Baptist movement worldwide?…
Through loss and grief, Christian musician finds strength in God
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When the contemporary Christian group Selah recorded “It Is Well with My Soul” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” for their 1999 debut album, Be Still My Soul, one of its members, Todd Smith, had no idea…
Christmas loss: How to help
Chaplain Mark Grace vice president of mission and ministry at Baylor Health Care System, offers suggestions to churches as they seek to minister to people who have sustained loss. • Facilitate communication. “Find ways to help your members talk about…
Christmas loss: Suggested reading
Pastors recommended the following books as particularly helpful to people who have experienced loss and to Christians who are seeking to minister to them. • Good Grief by Granger E. Westberg “I like the next-to-last chapter title, ‘Gradually Hope Comes…
Joy and happiness not the same thing, pastors insist
Christians can experience joy even in loss — provided they don’t confuse joy with happiness but accept it as a gift from God, several pastors noted. “Joy is not the same as happiness. It is a deeper contentment that sustains…
Joy to the World?
Ever since an angel announced good news to shepherds working the night shift, Christians have associated the birth of Jesus with joy. But some people who have experienced significant loss in the recent past find a season of celebration observed…
NAMB trustee resigns over new president’s actions
CUMMING, Ga. (ABP) — A trustee has resigned from the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board saying he does not share the vision of the agency's new president. "I believe that throughout my life, and particularly as I've gotten…
Baptist Joint Committee’s Walker to receive religious-freedom award
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty will be honored for his efforts by a Virginia group that celebrates the United States’ first law codifying religious freedom. The Washington-based BJC announced Dec….
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Views differ on church-state separation
I enjoyed the Nov. 18 issue of the Herald featuring the recent BGAV meeting in Hampton, Va. I took particular note of the “Another Opinion” pieces on pages 18 and 19. I assume the article on page 18, written by…
VITAL SIGNS: Giving thanks
Healthy Christians are people of gratitude and generosity. That is a clear biblical truth that has been lived out across the years in church history. If the gospel has not penetrated a person’s heart to the point that they are…
SBC Executive Committee merging functions, including Baptist Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee will eliminate two vice presidents and merge its news and public-relations functions, Baptist Press reported Nov. 30. Executive Committee President and CEO Frank Page announced consolidations and staff reductions in…