By Bill Wilson A recent column on the surge of churches calling pastors in their fifth decade evoked a wide range of responses. Many came from mid-career clergy who offered a hearty “Amen” and were grateful for the news that…
Churches conflicted when it comes to social media engagement
By Robert Dilday It’s not about hunting. It’s about farming. That’s how bestselling author Ivan Misner, founder of one of the world’s largest business networking organizations, describes social networks, which he says attempt to do one thing—cultivate relationships. For church…
Text message donors represent new category of giver, study shows
By Bob Allen One in 10 Americans have made a charitable donation using the text messaging feature on their mobile phones, according to a newly-released study produced by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and Harvard’s Berkman…
Former ‘Seeds’ publisher, Carter Center staffer joins Baptist hospital
By Bob Allen Former Carter Center adviser and one-time magazine publisher Gary Gunderson has been named vice president for faith and health ministries at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Gary Gunderson Gunderson comes from a similar post at Methodist LeBonheur…
Baptists protest violence in Syria
By Bob Allen Leaders of three British religious bodies issued a joint statement March 15 calling on the United Nations Security Council to condemn Syria’s violent suppression of a year-long uprising that has left more than 8,000 dead. Jonathan Edwards…
New Springsteen album delivers 30-year-old ‘Promise’
By Mark McEntire While Wrecking Ball is Bruce Springsteen’s 17th and latest studio album, it marks some important firsts. Above all, it is Springsteen’s first studio album since the deathof band mate Clarence Clemons. The “Big Man” was such a…
Washington minister to receive BWA human rights award
By Robert Dilday Edgar Palacios, a Salvadoran who serves as associate pastor for Christian education at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, is the 2012 recipient of the Baptist World Alliance’s Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award. The announcement was…
Candidate: Faith, politics mix in public arena
By Vicki Brown A Baptist preacher’s wife running for lieutenant governor in Missouri says that while voters should consider a candidate’s moral character and values, faith should not be used for political ends. Judy Baker, who has a master’s degree…
Baptist Standard Publishing launches test phase of FaithVillage site
Associated Baptist Press The website is a new ministry of Baptist Standard Publishing, parent company of the Baptist Standard. The 123-year-old organization will continue to publish the newspaper and its digital news products. FaithVillage.com will provide Christian community and an…
Skipping Alleluia
By Amy Butler It happens every year, and on the scale of church conflict it can only be compared to an adjustment of the coffee-hour punch recipe without a full congregational vote of approval. Without fail, every single Lent somebody…
Friendships foster deeper religious life, research shows
By Ken Camp Research proves what most ministers long have suspected: Friendships developed at church positively influence religious behavior and — to a lesser degree — beliefs. Sam Stroope, a doctoral student in sociology at Baylor University, analyzed data from…
Faith leaders ask candidates to avoid sowing religious discord
By Bob Allen The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty joined Jewish and interfaith leaders in drafting a statement Feb. 21 calling on candidates to refrain from using religion as a political wedge. The document titled “Religion in Political Campaigns…