On July 12, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors decided to stop having public prayers at its meetings. As one might expect, the decision has generated controversy. The editors of the Richmond Times-Dispatch expressed approval of the decision; a few…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Evangelical group proposes code of ethics for pastors
The National Association of Evangelicals is urging pastors to seek a common moral ground by uniting under a consistent code of ethics. NAE leaders said the new code will provide uniform guidance to church leaders. About 40 denominations comprise the…
Baptist injured in theater shooting chooses forgiveness
AURORA, Colo.—From his hospital bed, one of the 58 people injured in a July 20 shooting rampage in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater that claimed 12 lives became a spokesman for Christian forgiveness. Pierce O’Farrill, a member of the The…
LEADERSHIP LINK: The National Association of Evangelicals’ code of ethics for pastors
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. (2 Corinthians 6:3) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27) All who are called by God…
OUT LOUD
“Much of the world refers to America as a Christian nation, but most of our Christian leaders don’t think so. The Bible only uses the word ‘Christian’ to describe people and not countries.” Leith Anderson The president of the National…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Study: Pastors’ concerns for others may harm their own health
Most members of the clergy are taught to put the physical and spiritual needs of others first, but that self-denial may be harmful to their own health, according to a new Duke University study, which suggests it can be difficult…
Colorado tragedy affects Texas Baptist family
AURORA, Colo. (ABP)—The impact of a shooting rampage at a Colorado movie theater was felt as far away as Texas, where a Baptist family mourned the loss of a brother and son. Texas native Gordon Cowden, 51, the oldest of…
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Transitions ON THE MOVE Scott Curtis, to Providence Baptist Church, Red House, Va., as pastor. Stephen Foss, to Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va., as senior pastor. Trent Sessoms, to Kingdale (N.C.) Baptist Church, as pastor. Joe McDowell, to Aarons…
Religion at the Olympics, from ancient Greece to London
NEW YORK (RNS)—A 600-foot footrace was the only athletic event at the first Olympics, a festival held in 776 B.C. and dedicated to Zeus, the chief Greek god. For the next millennium, Greeks gathered every four years in Olympia to…
Chick-fil-A to draw crowds—and not for its food
(RNS)—It could get pretty crowded at Chick-fil-A’s across the Mid-Atlantic and the nation this week—and not because of the fast-food restaurant’s famous waffle fries. Supporters and opponents of gay marriage plan to appear at Chick-fil-A locations nationwide after the company’s…
Bible museum closes $50 million deal for D.C. spot
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Planners of a Bible museum in Washington closed a $50 million deal July 26 on a building two blocks from the National Mall. The new Bible museum in Washington will be in a building two blocks from the National…
VITAL SIGNS: Search committee ethics
A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must deal with. Bill…