Dear Jimmy, At last the house is decorated for Christmas and as I have a few minutes, I’ll jot you a line or two to let you know that your Uncle Orley and I are still in the land of…
VITAL SIGNS: Can we have a healthier search process?
An increasing part of my life is spent advising and coaching pastor search committees. A healthy search process requires great patience, spiritual maturity and hard work. Done well, it can lead to a season of hope and health for a…
WINN RECOMMENDS
The Pietistic Impulse in Christianity, editors Winn, Gehrz, Carlson and Host (Pickwick) In many circles, particularly academic ones, the word pietism is used as an insult. Though self-proclaimed pietists have at times encouraged unfortunate postures (individualism, privatism, bad ecclesiology), the…
Ecumenical dialogue clarifies distinctives, says prof
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Ecumenical dialogue between Baptists and other Christian traditions clarifies Baptist distinctives rather than dilutes them, says a Gardner-Webb University professor who participated in recent preliminary conversations between Baptists and Orthodox Christians. “The purpose of ecumenical discussions…
Realignments at board add value, says executive
RICHMOND, Va. — Proposed changes in the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board are prompted in part by reduced funding but will have the effect of making the organization more strategic, the board’s executive director said Dec. 9. John…
‘Spiritual transformer’ of children retires after 28 years
RICHMOND, Va. — At the age of 8, growing up in Stanley County, N.C., northeast of Charlotte, Diane Smith decided her goal in life was to teach children. Diane Smith enjoys a laugh during a retirement celebration in her honor….
HeraldBeat
GOT NEWS? Send information for this page to HeraldBeat editor Barbara Francis at bfrancis@religiousherald.org. Even better — add the Herald to your church’s newsletter email list, send us a link to your online newsletter or mail your…
‘Occupy’ movement comes to Charlotte — whimsically
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — As the Occupy protest movement spreads into cities across the United States and around the world, one North Carolina Baptist congregation says it is time to occupy the church. A sign in front of the church…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Last day for 2011 gifts. Jan. 5, 2012, is the last day contributions toward the 2011 Baptist General Association of Virginia budget will be received by the BGAV treasurer’s office. Treasurer Eddie Stratton said he encouraged BGAV churches to send…
Filipino church broadens focus, changes name
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Roughly translated, the Filipino proverb “Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay,” means: “Imitate the rice stalk; the more grains it bears, the lower it bows.” The Filipino-American Christian Church in Stafford County, Va., has…
Billy Graham returns home after hospital stay
MONTREAT, N.C. (RNS) — Evangelist Billy Graham returned to his North Carolina home Dec. 6 after a six-day stay in a nearby hospital where he was treated for pneumonia. Billy Graham continues to write two years after his last official crusade….
Archbishop says Jesus would be siding with Occupy movement
LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says Jesus would have joined protesters from the anti-corporate Occupy movement who have been camped outside London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral for more than seven weeks. Protesters have been camped outside St. Paul's…