By Bob Allen A Baptist church in Kentucky has severed ties with its local association of churches, saying doctrinal uniformity has trumped cooperative missions in the Southern Baptist Convention. : “All are welcomed here,” proclaims the Central Baptist Church website….
Editor warns of encroaching Calvinism
By Bob Allen A recent Baptist state newspaper editorial warned of a “presumable encroachment” of five-point Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. Christian Index Editor Gerald Harris penned the editorial titled “The Calvinists are here” Feb. 9. Harris noted that…
Racial reconciliation 2012
By David Gushee On Tuesday, McAfee School of Theology hosted a sizable contingent of African-American leaders on our Atlanta campus. Gerald Durley, senior pastor at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta, preached in chapel. The sermon began with his…
Campus minister Melissa Cheliras dies following battle with cancer
By Robert Dilday Melissa Cheliras, Baptist campus minister at the University of Richmond, died Feb. 10, following a four-month battle with esophageal cancer. She was 33. Melissa Cheliras Cheliras had been part-time collegiate minister at UR since last summer. She…
Retiring CBF head to lead new center for Baptist leadership
By Bob Allen Retiring Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal has been tapped to lead Mercer University’s new Eula Mae and John Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership. Vestal, 67, will assume his new role July 1, the day after…
Seminary trustees to confront president over audit, management issues
By Greg Warner Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s board of trustees will meet Feb. 10 in a special session to discuss the leadership of President Phil Roberts, Associated Baptist Press has learned. Trustee sources said the board’s executive leadership will recommend…
Ministry to new immigrants presents challenges, opportunities
By Ken Camp Waves of immigrants entering the United States are changing the face of home missions, noted the director of missions for a metropolitan association of Baptist churches in Texas. “Immigration is changing the face of America. People are…
A shelter for conscience
By Bill Leonard Sometimes universities confront historic moments when their identity is put to the test, occasions that challenge a school’s public character, and require it to reexamine its mission in the world. The appointment of Imam Khalid Griggs as…
The river
By Bill Leonard Then, John the Baptizer stormed out of the wilderness, demanding repentance of everyone. Jesus showed up, seeking baptism, but John hesitates. Jesus insists and under muddy Jordan he goes, taking all God’s people with him. Now, New…