By Jeff Brumley Like many U.S. religious groups, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship faces a constant challenge to find and offer ministries that are relevant in a post-Christian society. Navy Capt. Gerald F. Hutchinson, Jr. will offer what he sees…
Political polarization challenges U.S. churches, Baptist leaders say
By Jeff Brumley There was a time in America when a pastor could raise significant social matters of the day and correlate them to Scripture, all without offending most folks in the pews, Rob Nash recalled. “As late as the…
Slender Man stabbings expose ‘prisoners of the moment,’ Baptist educator says
By Jeff Brumley Baptist educator Brian Foreman believes many Americans are living in the moment — only, not in a good way. Rather than being in the present in the spiritual sense, they are narrowly focused on events in a manner…
New Baptist Covenant signals resurgence of reconciliation movement, Mandela colleague says
By Jeff Brumley Allan Boesak is a native South African and Reformed Church pastor and theologian who worked shoulder to shoulder with Nelson Mandela and others to defeat apartheid. He is a passionate advocate of the reconciliation and ecumenical movements…
Churches being pushed to see selves as guests in own communities
By Jeff Brumley At Grace and Main in Danville, Va., organizers have ceded much of their power to the people they came to serve. “A lot of our leadership is made up of those who are or were hungry, impoverished…
Ethnic churches do better with Millennials, but challenges remain
By Jeff Brumley Go to Google and type “Millennials, church,” and the screen will be dominated by links to articles, blogs and studies documenting that generation’s exodus from American congregations. What irks some, however, is that evidence is being overlooked…
Ethnic churches fare better with Millennials, but challenges remain
By Jeff Brumley Go to Google and type “Millennials, church,” and the screen will be dominated by links to articles, blogs and studies documenting that generation’s exodus from American congregations. What irks some, however, is that evidence is being overlooked…
For CBF Bahamas and its leader, new tie means increased influence in Caribbean
By Jeff Brumley Baptist John McIntosh knows it’s an honor to have been selected for the Bahamas Council of Bishops, whose members advocate for social justice and help establish churches across the island nation. But he knows something else, too:…
Baptists, Vatican agree: Social media is worth the effort
By Jeff Brumley The Roman Catholic Church is committed to social media despite the hassles — ugly criticism, vicious arguments, inappropriate photos — a Vatican official said this week. While Facebook, Twitter and other platforms often bring out the worst in people,…
Summer program offers intentional community experience
By Jeff Brumley Young adult Baptists and other Christians curious about living in intentional Christian communities can learn what that life is like through a summer program offered jointly by the Alliance of Baptists and the United Church of Christ. “Summer Communities of…
A year later, those impacted by Okla. twisters grateful for spirit of unity
By Jeff Brumley It’s natural for people to ask where God was when a wave of tornadoes killed nearly 50 people in Oklahoma in May 2013, pastors say. That was also the topic of a documentary that premiered May 16…
Baptist seminary in Pa. closes doors, citing online education competition
By Jeff Brumley A proliferation of available seminaries and the rise of distance learning has led a Baptist school in Lansdale, Pa. to close its doors after holding its final graduation ceremony last week. According to a story published by…