Dear Jimmy, At last the house is decorated for Christmas and as I have a few minutes, I’ll jot you a line or two to let you know that your Uncle Orley and I are still in the land of…
EDITORIAL: How could something so good have been such a bust?
I am scratching my head wondering how the New Baptist Covenant II, supported philosophically and theologically by so many Baptists, drew such meager attendance? Meeting Nov. 17-20 in Atlanta and seven other locations linked by satellite simulcasts, some NBC II…
Despite low turnout, D.C. organizers bring NBCII to nation’s capital
WASHINGTON — Though turnout was low for the satellite viewing of the New Baptist Covenant II in the nation’s capital, organizers of the event prepared carefully with a huge screen dominating the platform area of Israel Baptist Church in the…
EDITORIAL: Fresh expressions of leadership
In past months, I have made it a point to read old issues of the Religious Herald dating from the Civil War era and before. Almost without exception, this has been an enlightening experience that has heightened the respect I…
Karel Harris shares the pains and joys of ministering to single mothers
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — If you ask Karel Harris to describe the ministry to single mothers she founded you will get a quick disclaimer. “I call myself a co-founder,” she says with humility. Harris is director of “Thrive!Moms,” a ministry…
Fresh Expressions is focus of BGAV’s annual pastors’ conference
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Resisting the temptation to provide a “sermon buffet,” officers of this year’s Virginia Baptist Pastors Conference opted instead to emphasize Fresh Expressions, a church revitalization movement supported by the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Fresh Expressions,…
Karel Harris shares the pains and joys of God’s call to ministry
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — If you ask Karel Harris to describe the ministry to single women she founded, you will get a quick disclaimer. “I call myself a co-founder,” she says in humility. “I’m not the leader of this group,”…
EDITORIAL: Following God’s call to popes and paupers
You probably heard the one about a guy named Rudy who claimed to know everybody in the world. “No, you don’t,” retorted his friend, Benny. “I’ll bet you don’t know the pope!” “Sure I do,” replied Rudy. “Come to Rome…
EDITORIAL: Dancing for joy at the BGAV
Around the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond, these days are filled with preparations for the Baptist General Association’s annual meeting to be held Nov. 8-9 at Richmond’s convention center. As you have no doubt already discovered, this issue of…
Central Virginia Baptist Association rejects proposal to disband
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Messengers attending the fall meeting of the Central Virginia Baptist Association rejected a recommendation from its steering committee that the association vote to disband. By a vote of 22 in favor of the proposal to dissolve to…
The Blue Ridge Mountains thunder again as motorcyclists gather for rally
LYNCHBURG, Va. — When 85-year old Bruce Heilman spoke to the motorcyclists who gathered at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center Sept. 30-Oct. 1, they listened with interest. When they discovered that he had ridden his own Harley to the event,…
EDITORIAL: An associational touch
On Sunday, Oct. 16, an historic vote will be taken. In one form or another, the Albemarle Baptist Association has been around since 1791, when the Orange Baptist Association divided to form Culpeper, Goshen and Albemarle itself. In 2003, it…