By Jeff Brumley There was quiet talk among ministers in Dalton, Ga. last spring that as many as 30 Guatemalan children were in town and in need of tutoring and other services. Not much more was known about the children,…
In this case, missional means a contemplative sculpture garden
By Jeff Brumley The term “missional” evokes images of churches partnering with existing ministries and nonprofits in the neighborhoods around them. Connecting with God’s work leads other churches to open their facilities to homeless or emergency shelters, feeding programs or…
Churches widen impact, relevance by working with outside groups
By Jeff Brumley Flanked by two of her three young children, Virginian Brenda Espinet broke into tears Saturday morning before about 35 Floridians, giving thanks for their generosity and admitting a little embarrassment at needing their financial and other assistance….
Ornate sanctuaries no distraction from the Word, Baptist pastors say
By Jeff Brumley You can strip a sanctuary of symbols, remove all vestiges of beauty and deny any value the aesthetic may have in worship. But experts say those elements almost always creep back into the church — one way or…
Baptists joining financial, spiritual fight against Ebola outbreak
By Jeff Brumley The calls to action and prayer seem to be spreading as fast as the Ebola virus currently ravaging parts of Africa — with Baptists and other Christians squarely in the sights of the terrifying disease and the effort…
Millennials warn churches against catering to their generation
By Jeff Brumley Many American congregations are modernizing worship in an effort to lure Millennials and other young people either into church or back to church. “For some, the instinct is to radically alter the old model: out with the…
Baptists join others praising nominee for religious freedom ambassador
By Jeff Brumley Baptist and other American religious leaders are praising President Barack Obama’s selection of a rabbi and law professor to lead the U.S. State Department’s anti-religious-discrimination efforts around the world. Obama today announced his nomination of Rabbi David…
Poll: Americans feel good about evangelicals
By Jeff Brumley Jews, Catholics and evangelical Christians finished in that order in a “feeling thermometer” poll released recently by the Pew Research Religion and Public Life Project. Viewed with a cold, or more negative, attitude were atheists while Muslims…
McAfee trip expands limits of faith, culture and ministry
By Jeff Brumley Walking through ritually sacrificed goat’s blood at a Hindu temple and watching Buddhist monks meditate for hours on end didn’t shake Baptist Rebecca White’s faith one bit during a three-week trip to India. It was just the…
Campbellsville coaches share expertise, gospel on mission trip
By Jeff Brumley A group of Campbellsville University coaches are stepping off the sidelines and onto the frontlines of evangelism during a seven-day mission trip to Costa Rica, leaders of the Baptist school has announced. The 32-member team’s trip is…
Air Force personnel cuts highlight importance of church in military life
By Jeff Brumley As if the tempo of military operations and deployments aren’t stressful enough, U.S. Air Force members were jolted by news this week the service will slash nearly 3,500 positions over five years. But that announcement — including that…
Experts seek balance between optimism and pessimism in future of congregations
By Jeff Brumley LifeWay President and CEO Thom Rainer has declared himself an “obnoxious optimist” about the state of American churches despite years of declines and closures in a post-Christian, post-church culture. In a July 11 column in The Christian…