By Jeff Brumley Churches already overwhelmed by the postmodern, post-denominational and post-Christian eras should brace themselves, experts say, for another layer of change: the “post-everything” age. That’s the term Baptist pastor and congregational coach Mark Tidsworth uses to roll together…
Study: church diversity does not guarantee diverse thinking, beliefs
By Jeff Brumley Many think of multiracial congregations as places where understanding grows between blacks, Hispanics and whites on social and justice issues. But a newly published study suggests that the opposite is true in many such congregations. Instead, it…
For some, another threat to church survival: natural beauty
By Jeff Brumley The American church, it seems, just can’t catch a break. The “nones” won’t come in, the “dones” are … well, done, and the rest of the membership is slowly but surely dying off. Attendance and tithing are…
‘Preacher camp’ inspires sermons, ministries and lives of 6 pastors
By Jeff Brumley Every year, interest grows in a combined worship planning and support group that has forged an unbreakable bond between six Baptist pastors. Known as preacher camp, the annual, closed gathering got a lot of attention on Facebook…
Churches must be creative to meet coming ‘Boomer wave’
By Jeff Brumley Congregational coaches are warning churches against becoming so fixated on Millennials and other young people that they ignore the surging population of Baby Boomers already in their midst. But those experts say most congregations simply aren’t ready…
Annual Lott Carey gathering tackles police-community relations
By Jeff Brumley More than 5,000 attended the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention 118th Annual Session in Greensboro, N.C., last week. The gathering included worship, service opportunities in the surrounding community and a discussion of community-law enforcement relations. A…
Don’t blame Millennials for shrinking sermon lengths, Baptists say
By Jeff Brumley Millennials and other young people get a lot of credit — or blame, depending on the observer — for the dramatic changes occurring in the modern church. Experiments with everything from mission to worship styles are attempted in order…
Federal grant will help Mercer University serve disadvantaged students
By Jeff Brumley Mercer University has received a $1.1 million federal grant to improve the retention, gradate and financial literacy of non-traditional students. The university reported this week that the U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services awarded the funds,…
Civil rights groups, Baptists creating ‘incredible moment’ in U.S. politics
By Jeff Brumley The prevailing wisdom is that there is little if anything new under the sun when it comes to politics and religion. But some ministers and expert observers are challenging that notion as the nation leans into the…
In Vietnam, Mercer project provides prosthetics and hope
By Jeff Brumley Craig McMahan has a Ph.D. in New Testament, which has served him well as dean of chapel and university minister at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. But it’s the license in prosthetics that’s come in most handy…
Civility the right response to church bombings, Baptist pastor says
By Jeff Brumley In 2014, Kevin Glenn published a book detailing the loss of civility in American culture and proposing some ways to revive it. Now it looks like Glenn is going to have a chance to put Hand over…
Pastor greeted with bombing on first day in N.M. church
By Jeff Brumley One of two churches bombed in Las Cruces, N.M., on Sunday included one with a brand new pastor from a Baptist congregation in Missouri. Kevin Glenn also is an expert and author on the subject of restoring…