DECATUR, Ga. (ABP) – The head of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship predicted future budget cuts that for the first time would affect global-missions personnel for the 20-year-old movement spun off from the Southern Baptist Convention. The CBF Coordinating Council normally…
Austin pastor notes value of Christian calendar for spiritual formation
In this interview, Don Vanderslice, pastor of Mosaic Church in Austin, reflects on how his community of faith observes the Christian calendar: Don Vanderslice speaking at the Transforming Culture Symposium in 2008. (David O. Taylor Photo) I’d never been a…
Austin pastor notes value of Christian calendar for spiritual formation
In this interview, Don Vanderslice, pastor of Mosaic Church in Austin, reflects on how his community of faith observes the Christian calendar: I’d never been a part of a community that participated really fully in the Christian calendar until I…
Writer explores array of ancient spiritual practices for believers today
So you want to spend the weeks prior to Easter exploring spiritual disciplines but aren’t sure where to start? In his book The Sacred Way, writer and theologian Tony Jones offers an easily accessible approach to spiritual practices developed by…
Unfamiliar practices may bring unexpected benefits to churches
Introducing unfamiliar practices to church members can be challenging, but congregations often are far less resistant than expected, according to some pastors who have tried it. Photo by Sterling Severns “I think people are hungry for ritual, especially those who…
Spiritual preparation for Easter not just a ‘Catholic thing’
Easter Sunday — the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ — is for Christians the culmination of their community life, expressing the heart of their faith. But among Baptists and other evangelicals, an intentional period of preparation for their…
What’s the skinny on Lent?
An odd word, Lent. Most European languages refer to the 40-day preparation period prior to Easter with some form of the words “forty” or “fast.” English-speakers, on the other hand, adapted a Teutonic or Anglo-Saxon (no one knows quite sure…
Cowboy churches follow the hoofprints, going where cowboys gather
SAN ANTONIO—At the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo exhibit hall, where a “howdy” is more common than a “hello,” throngs of people in cowboy hats and boots move from one display to another, looking at clothes, candies, toffees and…
Texas legislature may cut all funds for professional prison chaplains
AUSTIN (ABP) — Facing a budget deficit, Texas lawmakers are considering eliminating all professional prison chaplains, a move that could affect the way volunteers from churches minister in that arena. With Texas facing a $15 billion budget shortfall, the Texas…
TV jamming in Middle East affects Christian network
NICOSIA, Cyprus (ABP) – A satellite television network for, and run by, Christians in the Middle East said Feb. 24 that programming thought to have been blocked by Libya has been restored. Officials at SAT-7, a network targeted to minority…
To help in Middle East: Encourage U.S. to advocate for values
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) — As the Middle East writhes in birth pains to deliver something yet undefined, a scholar who specializes in faith and global politics says Christians in America can support the progress toward freedom by encouraging their own…
SBC leadership group declines moving to biennial meetings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has recommended against changing from an annual meeting to holding its convention every other year. Responding to a motion from last summer's convention to move from an annual to biennial…