I was overjoyed to read your editorial in the May 27 issue concerning our Baptist name [Herald, May 27]. I have been playing that same tune for many years and it is nice to hear it from someone else. The…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: Grateful for support
I would like to respond to the article “Death in a minister’s family (Herald, June 10). After over 41 years of marriage my wife Judy passed away March 22, 2010. Since I was called to vocational ministry after our marriage…
VIRGINIA BAPTIST FORUM: No amnesty for illegal immigrants
It was disappointing to read Bob Allen’s article titled “Conservative evangelicals call for immigration reform” in the May 27 Religious Herald. The article recommended immigration reform and those quoted recommended providing illegals presently in the U.S. what they call “an…
Gulf oil spill prompts environmental soul-searching
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The constant loop of disheartening images from the Gulf of Mexico—oil-covered pelicans, dead sea turtles, despairing fishermen—has prompted many Americans to seek ways to do something, anything, to take better care of the Earth. But what? And how? While…
RIGHT or WRONG? Moral decay
Almost every week, another new study seems to document the decline of congregational life in America. I think the decline can all be traced to moral decay. What do you think? Surveys show the generation on the cusp of adulthood,…
SBC approves slightly reduced budget, recognizes retiring executives
ORLANDO, Fla. — Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Fla., approved a pared down budget for 2010-2011 and honored two agency presidents who retire this year. They approved a $199,822,090 Cooperative Program allocation budget recommended by the SBC…
SBC resolutions highlight Gulf, family, homosexuality
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Southern Baptist Convention decried ecological catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, focused on the family and opposed the normalization of homosexuality as messengers approved seven resolutions with no debate during the SBC annual meeting in Orlando…
SBC messengers defeat attempt to open records of task force proceedings
ORLANDO, Fla. — Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Orlando, Fla., June 15-16 defeated an attempt to unseal written and audio recordings of Great Commission Resurgence task force proceedings. The task force recently announced it would seal the…
OPINION: Executive Committee treats new boss shoddily
ORLANDO, Fla. — Frank Page was elected president-elect of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee during a bizarre and shoddy exercise June 14 in Orlando. Page is currently vice president for evangelism of the North American Mission Board and is…
WMU elects new president, urges unhindered mission
ORLANDO, Fla. — Participants at the 122nd annual meeting of national Woman’s Missionary Union elected a new president, listened to Sudan’s ambassador, honored Kaye Miller’s five years as WMU president, and heard missions challenges June 13-14 in Orlando. Debby Akerman…
President’s address promotes Great Commission Resurgence proposal
ORLANDO, Fla. — Out-going Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt promoted the Great Commission Resurgence during his president’s address June 15. Using Joshua 14 as his primary text, he asked if Southern Baptists were at their own Kadesh Barnea, the…
Leaders urge B21 group to stay in the SBC hall, support task force
ORLANDO, Fla. — Supporters of the Great Commission Resurgence task force took a final opportunity to garner votes for their report when they encouraged 1,300 primarily younger pastors attending the B21 conference Tuesday to leave the luncheon and become fixtures…