By Jeff Brumley There was a time when even the unchurched came to church for at least one occasion — their deaths. It was an era when nearly everyone, even those who rejected religion, had some connection to faith, however distant….
Study: Youth experiment less with alcohol, drugs when plugged into church
By Jeff Brumley and Terry Goodrich Young people are less likely to try alcohol and drugs if they attend religious services regularly and self-identify as religious, a new Baylor University study has found. The study suggests that youth who feel…
At 88, Baptist educator Bruce Heilman is still taking on life
With Marines still battling the Japanese for control of other parts of Iwo Jima in early 1945, a two-engine Navy transport plane, loaded with people and equipment, begins its takeoff roll along the single airstrip on the volcanic Pacific island….
Uncivil conduct among Christians fuels church decline, says Baptist pastor and author
By Jeff Brumley Given the bitter, high-profile way Christians slug it out on social, political and theological issues these days, it’s no mystery why young people are leaving the church or avoiding it in the first place, Baptist minister and…
Seeking God through worship — and jazz
By Jeff Brumley For centuries, Baptist and other churches have sought encounters with the divine through music. The quest has led to everything from organs and hymns to guitars, drum sets and praise bands. Now there are those hoping the…
Baptist film critics: Christian films and audiences must evolve
By Jeff Brumley Organizers hope a first-ever gathering of Hollywood and Christian leaders in Los Angeles tomorrow will spark ideas for movies and television shows that will positively influence society. But a Baptist pastor and film critic says there’s an…
Baptists enriched by repeated missions to Sioux
By Jeff Brumley Even the Oglala Lakota Sioux who haven’t embraced Christianity live out gospel values such as family, charity and self-sacrifice, Tennessean Sean Prince says. Prince is the organizer of an annual mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation…
Black Baptists urge Obama to speed Haitian family immigration
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of five of the nation’s largest African-American Baptist communions are urging President Obama to streamline the system for reuniting Haitians with family members already living in the United States. The Sept. 5 letter to the White…
Race, relevancy among challenges facing black Baptist leaders
By Jeff Brumley Four of the nation’s largest African-American Baptist denominations either elected new leaders this year or are in the process of voting on new presidents, and observers say each will have his hands full confronting daunting institutional challenges….
Missionaries serving refugees fleeing Mid-east violence exercise extra sensitivity
By Jeff Brumley As complicated and sensitive as the situation in the Middle East is for Western governments, it is just as tricky for Christian organizations with missionaries in the region. The region historically hostile to evangelism and ministry has…
Schools prime ministry locations for many churches, say leaders
By Jeff Brumley and Eric Eckert Churches eager to engage the communities around them would be challenged to find a better place to start than local public schools. Think about it, says Carrie Dean, co-pastor of Edgewood Church in Atlanta:…
BWA allocates funds for persecuted Iraqi Christians
By Jeff Brumley The Baptist World Alliance has issued a call for Baptists and other Christians to provide funds to help Iraqi Christians displaced by war, and the global organization has sent an initial donation of $20,000 for that cause. The funds…