MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (ABP) — A judge ruled Nov. 17 that Muslims can move forward with plans to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Chancellor Robert Corlew III heard a total of eight days of testimony spread…
Israeli leaders find common cause with American evangelicals
JERUSALEM (RNS) — When Texas megachurch pastor John Hagee wrapped up a visit to Israel on Nov. 15 with 40 pastors in tow, he sought out the places where Jesus walked, preached and prayed some 2,000 years ago. But there…
U.S. opposes U.N. ban on defamation of religion, says secretary of state
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States continues to oppose a proposed ban on defamation of religion currently before the United Nations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Nov. 17. "Now, some people propose that to protect religious freedom, we must…
Baptist World Alliance hails release of Burmese democratic leader
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance rejoiced at Myanmar's release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and expressed hope it represented a symbolic gesture signaling greater freedoms for people of the…
Georgia Baptist Convention ousts second church with woman pastor
ALBANY, Ga. (ABP) — For the second year in a row, the Georgia Baptist Convention has withdrawn fellowship from one of its most historic member churches for calling a woman as pastor. Geogia Baptists have declared a second church led…
EDITORIAL: Hard questions for hard times
We can all only hope that economic pundits who say we are experiencing a recovery know what they are talking about. For the present, however, times are tough all over. In presenting a budget to the messengers gathered last week…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Todd Blake, to Madison Heights Church, Madison Heights, as pastor. • Christopher D. “Chris” Fowler, to Orcutt Church, Newport News, as senior pastor. • Dorothy Kingston Troup, to Middleburg Church, Middleburg, as music director. RECOGNITION: Charles Millsaps…
Reggie McNeal tells Virginia Baptists to ‘get off their donkeys’
HAMPTON, Va. — In his final message to messengers and guests attending the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, Reggie McNeal told them to get off their donkeys. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan as his…
OUT LOUD
“Audiences are often smarter than they’re given credit for. And I think they’re often drawn to films that raise genuine questions about our lives that demand a real ponder.” Edward Norton The actor was speaking on the popularity of recent…
OPINION: Myths of separation of church and state
The United States of America is one of the most religious and certainly the most religiously diverse nation on the face of the earth. Despite our country’s religiosity, many of us were surprised by a recent poll widely reported in…
OPINION: Freedom and its fruit
When we were missionaries in Taiwan I remember being asked what the Bible is all about. What would you say the Bible is all about? I couldn’t use any religious vocabulary like salvation, redemption, sin, eschatology. In Mandarin there is…
OPINION: When Baptists actually come together
Walking around at the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting in Hampton I realized how fortunate I was to be a pastor in Virginia. I’m not from these parts but have traveled in the BGAV twice in my life now. …