Virginia Baptists Reject Statement
The Baptist General Association of Virginia has rejected the 1998 submission statement by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which calls for wives to "submit graciously" to their husbands. The group affirmed the SBC's 1963 Baptist Faith and Message (which does not include the submission statement) at its annual meeting November 11, one day after the Baptist General Convention of Texas also rejected the submission statement (CT, December 6, 1999, p. 27).
Lutherans Help Struggling NCC
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has committed a onetime gift of $300,000 to help the financially troubled National Council of Churches (NCC) overcome a nearly $4 million deficit. "There seems to be no malfeasance, but a lot of sloppiness," says H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop. In November, the United Methodist Church suspended its payments to the NCC (CT, Dec. 6, 1999, p. 21).
Liberty Aligns with SBC
In a move that further strengthens Jerry Falwell's ties with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Liberty University has added two additional members to its 32-member board from Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Falwell, founder and chancellor of the school in Lynch burg, Virginia, initiated ties with the SBC three years ago, when his church contributed to the conservative Baptist group soon after it split from the more moderate Baptist General Association of Virginia.
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