People perish without vision, and so do congregations. But churches may suffer when doctrine-deprived members only hear about vision within the context of fund-raising appeals, said Jeff Anderson, founder of Acceptable Gift and author of Plastic Donuts: A Fresh Perspective…
Averett sees record number of new students, increase in total enrollment
DANVILLE, Va. — For the third consecutive year, Averett University has broken records in new student enrollment — bringing the school’s total enrollment to its highest level since 2000. The Baptist-affiliated school in Danville, Va., added 360 new students this fall,…
OPINION: What about the poor?
Jesus said the poor “always” will be with us. Was he talking about all the people who don’t have much money, or just the ones we call the “deserving poor” or the “poor in spirit”? How should Christians treat this…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Larry Leader is a little troubled
Larry Leader’s been a little troubled these recent Sundays. One Sunday morning Larry’s sitting in his pew at the All Alike Baptist Church. He’s been in the same place every Sunday for more than 25 years, the third-pew-from-the-back-on-the-right-hand-side. Larry’s a…
Pastors of racially-mixed congregations believe over time homogeneity will become the exception
ATLANTA (ABP) — Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta is considered by some a hopeful sign that Sunday may soon no longer be the most segregated time in America. A dwindling, all white congregation eight years ago, the church is…
Church van crash kills two youth in Tennessee congregation’s pastor is former Va. Baptist leader
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Two people were killed and 12 others injured Sept. 16 when a van carrying youth from Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Maryville, Tenn. — whose pastor is a former Virginia Baptist leader — collided head-on with…
SBC leader envisions ‘unity’ on Calvinism issue
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — “The local church is God's plan to attack the gates of hell,” said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, during a special forum at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. R. Albert Mohler Jr.,…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Survey explores impact of churches
(RNS) — Almost half of churchgoing Americans say their life has not changed a bit due to their time in the pews, a new survey shows. Barna Group, an evangelical company based in California, found that 46 percent reported no…
Churches benefit in tough times from proper preparation in good times
When it comes to finances, bad things sometimes happen to good churches. Natural disasters occur. So do instances of theft and vandalism. Local layoffs or a national economic downturn can affect giving drastically. Good stewardship demands churches prepare for financial…