RICHMOND — Fresh Expressions, the two-year-old church renewal collaboration of Baptists and other Christian groups, positioned itself for additional growth Oct. 15 at the first meeting of its recently-formed board of trustees. The eight-member board, which reports to the Virginia…
Fan or foe, children’s sermon here to stay
TEASER: Critics say the sermons aren't really sermons and aren't really for kids; supporters say they are a way to include children in worship. (ABP) — Judging from the absence of squirming and giggling, Holly Smith’s children’s sermon was quite…
BTSR hosts first workshop, homecoming for former participants in its Mission Immersion Program
RICHMOND — Mission Immersion Experience field coordinators from five countries traveled to Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Sept. 24-28 for a training workshop and homecoming event with former MIE participants. It was the first time the seminary had offered this…
After Romney meeting in North Carolina, Billy Graham website scrubs Mormon ‘cult’ reference
(RNS) — The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association removed language labeling Mormonism a “cult” from its website after the famed preacher met with Republican nominee Mitt Romney last week and pledged to help his presidential campaign. The removal came after a…
African-American Baptists followed divergent paths toward goal of racial uplift, says VUU professor
BELTON, Texas — The story of black Baptists in the 20th century reflects the larger story of African-Americans’ quest for equality, says Virginia Union University historian Adam Bond. African-American Baptists shared a common goal of “racial uplift,” but their approaches…
Pair of boots becomes symbol for congregation’s renewal
PROVIDENCE FORGE, Va. — A pair of work boots sprayed with grey paint has become a symbol of renewal for the members of Emmaus Baptist Church, a congregation in New Kent County, Va. “Emmaus Baptist Church is well known for…
BGAV budget proposal would reduce allocations in 2013
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Baptist General Association of Virginia will consider in November a slightly reduced overall budget for 2013 which significantly decreases allocations for most of its partner agencies while increasing by about 6.5 percent funding for ministries of its…
HERITAGE: Troubles and triumphs
“I resigned my pastorate yesterday. There is a little ring of influential men in the church here who insist on living lives of sin, and because I opposed the things they were doing, they set to work to block my…
OPINION: Removing the ‘cloak of invisibility’
October is my favorite month! There is just something about this season that makes me feel alive and my wife and I have many traditions this time of year. We’re huge Harry Potter fans, and one of our traditions as the misty…
WINN RECOMMENDS
JPS Torah Commentary (available via Logos) This multi-volume set provides an invaluable opportunity for Christians reading the Old Testament. The JPS commentary offers Jewish exegesis from the Tanakh (the Jewish name for the Hebrew Bible). This resource gives insight we…
OPINION: Rejoice
On the way to work one morning this week I was praying to God to let me hear his voice. I frequently get so distracted by all the other things in my life that I get fuzzy headed and feel…
OPINION: Signs we’re taking ‘no religious test’ seriously
The upcoming election will be an important one and certainly historic in at least one sense. In the 223 years of our republic, this will be the first time that no white Anglo-Saxon Protestant will appear on either ticket of…