“I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising…
Virginia Baptist educator named CBF field rep for Tennessee affiliate
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired a Richmond, Va., minister its third "field coordinator," a shared staff position designed to promote cooperation and communication between state and national CBF organizations. The Atlanta-based CBF and Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…
Great Commission Task Force head surprised at backlash to report
MONROE, Mich. (ABP) — The head of a task force appointed last summer to recommend ways to make the Southern Baptist Convention more effective in reaching the lost said March 16 he was surprised by negative reaction to parts of…
EDITORIAL: If your church is all about social justice, you’re half right
I’m all about the U.S. Constitution. Next to the Bible, it may be my favorite document. I support and defend the rights of individuals to speak even if everything inside me is shouting, “Shut up!” Like when a thoughtless person…
Airlee Court grapples with its future
ROANOKE, Va. — By a vote of 30 to 5, Airlee Court Baptist Church in Roanoke voted on Sunday morning, March 14, not to give itself to Journey Church, a growing Baptist fellowship in the area. “We would have had to…
Focus is on starting congregations at annual meeting of CBF of Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.– Church planting was a hot topic a the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia’s annual gathering, held March 11-12 at First Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. Emergent church guru Brian McLauren, featured in a live Skype dialogue at…
Glencarlyn Road church has new life as Columbia’s multi-site location
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — For more than a half-century, Glencarlyn Road Baptist Church had ministered to its Bailey’s Crossroads community in Northern Virginia when the congregation’s dwindling numbers and resources convinced it to take a radical step. Discerning through prayer that…
A focus on transformation: VT campus ministry offers message in creative ways
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Across the months of January and February, student leaders from Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Virginia Tech utilized the arts, interactive experiences and children’s stickers to engage their peers with the message of the transforming power of Christ. …
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Anna Miller, to Westhunt Church, Richmond, as pastor. • Seth Horrell, to North Riverside Church, Newport News, as pastor. • Larry Soblotne, to Faith Church, Hamptn, as pastor. • Edward Creel, pastor; Greg Soult, minister to youth…
In Alabama, football coach has more Facebook fans than God does
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban may not be bigger than God in Alabama, but he has more fans on Facebook. Saban edged out the Almighty to claim the top spot in a ranking of…
Trinity? There’s an app for that.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Nils Smith recognizes he has an unusual title — pastor for college and online community ministry. But he suspects he may be one of the first of a new breed of ministers. Smith was serving on…
Author worries online communities are hurting genuine relationships
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) — When it comes to Facebook, Jesse Rice sees an immensely popular social networking site that’s great for sharing photos and keeping in touch with friends. He also sees something that encourages attitudes and behaviors that don’t…