It’s an old joke. A man stood before the judge seeking to change his name. The judge spoke, “I can certainly understand that a name like Joe Halfwit could cause problems for you. What would you like your new name…
Leaders ascend to Eagle Eyrie for gathering, orientation
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Leadership Gathering Weekend at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center drew 489 church leaders from across the state to attend workshops provided by such nationally-known personalities as Reggie McNeal and Frank Page. Reggie McNeal speaks to participants at…
EDITORIAL: Situational ethics at Liberty seminary?
I grant you, details of our births are hard for most of us to remember. In my case, the specifics have escaped me — and it’s not just because it happened so long ago. Even so, I have never been…
EDITORIAL: Pewboy asks the right questions about baptism
Long ago on a Sunday afternoon in early August, I gathered with other baptismal candidates, our families and our church family on the bank of Sandy Creek near Antonia, Mo. After singing a hymn, and shooing the cows we waded…
Hundreds gather to remember Cecil Sherman in Richmond memorial service
RICHMOND, Va. — Friends and family members of Cecil Edwin Sherman filled the spacious sanctuary of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Va., April 20 to celebrate his life in the first of two scheduled memorial services. Michael Clingenpeel, pastor…
Petersburg congregation closes, gives buildings to African-American church
PETERSBURG, Va. — In 1957, 30 years after its founding, Elm Street Baptist Church in Petersburg expressed its confidence in the future by building a new 400-seat sanctuary. The following year, as if to justify the church’s attitude, Petersburg was…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida discovers her voice
Dear Jimmy, I know you will find this almost as hard to believe as your Uncle Orley, but I am speechless. He says that despite his prayers he is confident that it is only a temporary affliction and that I…
Nearly 500 accept Christ during Easter celebration at Highlands Fellowship
BRISTOL, Va. — I confess that when I first heard that Highlands Fellowship, a Virginia Baptist multi-site congregation based in Abingdon, Va., was planning to drop Easter eggs from a helicopter in nearby Bristol and then to fill the city’s…
EDITORIAL: Bluebell Baptist is fired up as worship takes an unexpected twist
Dear Jimmy, Well, nobody can say if it’s not in the bulletin it doesn’t happen at Bluebell Baptist, that’s for sure. Truth be told, I like a measure of predictability. Still, when somethin’ unexpected happens, like it did this past…
Virginia Woman’s Missionary Union helps launch the first WMU of India
RICHMOND, Va. — Since its beginning in 1872, Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia has had a heart for those who needed to hear the gospel of Christ. But last month WMUV attained a new level of global partnership when it…
EDITORIAL: If your church is all about social justice, you’re half right
I’m all about the U.S. Constitution. Next to the Bible, it may be my favorite document. I support and defend the rights of individuals to speak even if everything inside me is shouting, “Shut up!” Like when a thoughtless person…
Airlee Court grapples with its future
ROANOKE, Va. — By a vote of 30 to 5, Airlee Court Baptist Church in Roanoke voted on Sunday morning, March 14, not to give itself to Journey Church, a growing Baptist fellowship in the area. “We would have had to…