Somewhere way back in Baptist life, someone saw fit to organize regional gatherings of churches. Maybe they did that so everyone had someone to play with. Or in order that no one would have to feel left out. So it…
Tenn. association defends action dismissing church
By Bob Allen An association of Southern Baptist churches’ decision to kick out its only predominantly black congregation had nothing to do with race, the association’s director of missions insisted Oct. 20. “The issue is not about race,” DOM Mike…
Church booted for calling female pastor
By Bob Allen The only predominantly African-American Southern Baptist church in a rural county in Tennessee risks losing its house of worship for calling a woman as pastor. News Channel 5 in Nashville reported Oct. 15 that Greater Tabernacle Baptist…
Fire destroys Cumberland University Baptist center
By Bob Allen Two students living in an upstairs apartment escaped an early morning fire Sept. 3 at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries building at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., unharmed but with only the clothes on their backs. According to…
Former assn. secretary sentenced for theft
By Bob Allen The former financial secretary at an Alabama Baptist association will spend the night in jail for a year after pleading guilty of theft. Tonya Renee Woodward, 52, confessed in August to stealing money from the Columbia Baptist…
Woman admits to embezzling church funds
By Bob Allen The former financial secretary at an Alabama Baptist association pleaded guilty Aug. 28 to stealing from her employer and was then arrested on additional charges claiming she took even more. Tonya Renee Woodward, 52, of Dothan, Ala.,…
Baptist group keeps gay-friendly church
By Robert Dilday A Baptist church in Virginia kicked out of its state organization for ordaining a gay man to the ministry last fall retained membership in its local association March 19. Richmond Baptist Association voted 176-158 to “embrace Ginter…
Assn. may retain gay-friendly church
By Robert Dilday A Baptist association in Virginia will consider a recommendation March 19 to retain ties to one of its churches which ordained an openly gay man to the ministry last year. A Richmond Baptist Association study committee will…
CBF helps church reopen for holidays
By Jeff Brumley The television news stories present a stark before-and-after image of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Morgan, Ark. First there is the pain Pastor James Hayes and his congregation felt when their century-old church building was flattened by…