By Jeff Brumley Stressful times for the nation, it turns out, translate into especially stressful times for pastors. That fact was the focus of Tuesday’s Baptist News Global column — titled “A humble plea: Go easy on your pastor” — by Corey…
Networking two continents: For Ruben Ortiz, it means bridge-building
Ruben Ortiz experiences deep fulfillment from his calling as a bridge builder between the church in Latin America and the United States. But it comes at a price. “Sometimes it’s difficult — all of the driving is causing me back…
Black church fires evoke both fear and faith in Baptist communities
By Jeff Brumley Baptist and other Christians are reaching out to the victims of the many African-American church fires reported during the past couple of weeks, ministers say. And it doesn’t matter whether or not arson has been identified as…
Been there, done that: Some Baptist ministers have already officiated at same-sex marriages
By Jeff Brumley Same-sex weddings are the stuff headlines are made of these days — especially when Baptist ministers are embracing the ceremonies ruled legal in every state by the Supreme Court last Friday. The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., recently featured Jason…
On their own: The challenges, blessings of being sole pastors of small churches
By Jeff Brumley Being the sole pastor of small church isn’t for the faint of heart, Baptist ministers say. Sermon preparation, visiting the sick and balancing the budget can be even more nerve-racking when being performed by a minister serving…
Chaplain: Military trains you to see ministry as God’s work, not yours
By Jeff Brumley Imagine spending three or four years in a place, building new ministries or reviving existing ones, only to be replaced by someone else and sent somewhere else to do it all over again. It’s a feeling that…
B.H. Carroll sees new administrative hub as key to decentralized, virtual future
By Jeff Brumley Texas-based B.H. Carroll Theological Institute has been steadily growing since its founding in 2004, with more staff, more students, more teaching churches and a global reach that expands every year. No wonder the organization made a big…
‘Soul lockdown’ afflicts nation, inspires tragedies like S.C. church shooting, activist says
By Jeff Brumley The Charleston church massacre is not a problem of gun violence or even of racism. Rather, it uncovers a spiritual sickness afflicting the American soul, social justice advocate Iva Carruthers told members and supporters of the New…
Baptists must do more to help immigrants, advocate says
By Jeff Brumley Baptists can no longer stand by and watch as Catholics, Mennonites, Methodists and other Christians take the lead in ministering to immigrants, a Baptist scholar and immigration advocate told members of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North…