RICHMOND, Va. — In an email communiqué June 1, Ronnie Floyd asked editors of state Baptist papers to spread the word that he is asking for prayer. Floyd, pastor of First Baptist Church of Springdale, Ark., is chairman of the…
CBF leader seeks to rally churches to make up mission offering shortfall
ATLANTA (ABP) — A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's leader is appealing to churches to step up contributions to an annual Offering for Global Missions running 30 percent behind projected receipts. At the end of April, receipts to the offering totaled just…
OPINION: Why ‘stuff’ happens
“Stuff” happens. This slogan (in its raw form) originated in the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest stepped into a clump of rather disgusting canine discard, prompting him to shrug his shoulders and say “ ’Stuff’ happens.” Later in the movie,…
Executive Committee president cites ‘grave concerns’ about CP
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released a white paper May 7, “What’s in a name? The Cooperative Program and Great Commission Giving,” that expresses “grave concerns”…
GCR task force lists 7 recommendations for SBC
The recommendations, for example, include a call for “the adoption of the language and structure of Great Commission Giving as described in this report in order to enhance and celebrate the Cooperative Program and the generous support of Southern Baptists…
Clergy shortage turns to ministerial glut in some denominations
WASHINGTON (RNS)—After a decade-long clergy shortage in America’s pulpits, Christian denominations are now experiencing a clergy glut—with some denominations reporting two ministers for every vacant pulpit. “We have a serious surplus of ministers and candidates seeking calls,” said Marcia Myers,…
If there’s a just way to wage war, what about ending one?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (RNS)—For centuries, Christianity’s theory of “just war” has helped religious and political leaders determine when, if ever, war is justified and how to conduct a moral military campaign. Now, as the United States prepares to reduce troop levels…
Board distances BGCT from gay-affirming Dallas church
DALLAS — The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted May 25 to refuse any financial contributions from a North Dallas church that has ordained as deacons practicing homosexuals, and the board asked the church to stop identifying itself…
Virginia Baptists seeking partnerships with Chilean churches after quake
IPAS, Chile (ABP) — More than two months after a massive earthquake rocked Chile, rains have begun and winter soon will arrive, leaving a group of Baptist pastors bracing for the cold in small tents that have become their impromptu…
Former Baptist camp director charged with abuse found dead
HERTFORD, N.C. (ABP) — A former director of a North Carolina Baptist camp awaiting trial on six child-sex charges was found dead of an apparent suicide May 24. Stephen Carter A newspaper in Hertford, N.C., quoted the sheriff of Perquimans…
Virginia Baptists launch long-term recovery plan for Haitian victims
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists are moving forward with a “holistic and comprehensive” long-term recovery plan to assist Haitians still suffering from a devastating earthquake on Jan. 12. An architect’s rendering of the Baptist Children Complex. Partnering with three other…
CrossRoads Conference Center celebrates 25 years of ministry
LOWESVILLE, Va. — More than 250 Virginia Baptists gathered at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center on Saturday, May 22, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the camp’s founding. Nestled in the mountains bordering the George Washington National Forest, CrossRoads is…