Something that strikes one person as funny—even something heard at church — may seem inappropriate to another. How can believers strike a balance as they use h — mor and laughter in ministry? Individuals need to understand the human experiences…
Grieving comic says humor, like hope, springs eternal
SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP) — Jinny Henson, a native of Houston, began doing stand-up comedy when she was a student at Baylor University. While working on a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she began touring nationwide. Against the advice…
A time to laugh: What’s the role of humor for Christians?
“For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. What is the role of laughter and…
FAITH DIGEST
Who is responsible for tackling poverty? A phone survey of 1,002 adults revealed 66 percent of Americans believe the United States has an obligation to assist poverty-stricken children around the world. The survey asked respondents whose responsibility it is to…
Fewer than half of Americans link Easter to the Resurrection
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While most Americans describe Easter as a religious holiday, fewer than half of the adults surveyed link it specifically to the Resurrection of Jesus, a Barna Group study shows. Seven in 10 respondents mentioned religion or spirituality…
Top 100 Virginia Baptist churches in gifts to Cooperative Missions listed
RICHMOND, Va. — First Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., led churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia last year in both in total Cooperative Missions giving and in contributions to the Virginia portion of Cooperative Missions gifts, according…
Church health center installs former Virginia Baptist leader as president
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A parade of friends and colleagues from past ministries helped to install Bill Wilson March 18 as second president of the Center for Congregational Health during a service at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C….
Virginia Baptists contribute nearly $350,000 in relief for Haiti’s victims
RICHMOND, Va. — Almost $350,000 to assist victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake has been contributed in the past two months through the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s treasurer’s office, a financial officer said March 19. Virginia Baptist individuals, churches and…
Secular Jew writes about two years spent undercover in conservative church
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — Evangelical Christians were a mystery to Gina Welch. All she really knew about conservative evangelicals was that they were trying to change the country in ways she didn’t like. When she found herself living among them…