By Jeff Brumley Technologies like water purification systems designed for use by Christian missionaries are getting notice from secular agencies for their potential impact on economic development, a trend faith-based groups see as a “collateral benefit” of the doors they…
Book series result of interfaith friendship
By Jeff Brumley A shared passion for studying and interpreting Scripture helped inspire a Rabbi and Baptist pastor to pen the ongoing “Reverend and the Rabbi” series of books on the Bible. “I think the first thing is we both share a…
The perils of Easter preaching
By Jeff Brumley Regardless of denomination, congregational makeup or worship style, crafting a fresh and compelling Easter sermon, year and year out, can be a major challenge for many pastors. But the solution lies in the holiday itself, said Brett…
Jesus faces mock trial in Texas
By Jeff Brumley Mark Osler will leave First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, Thursday evening spiritually drained. Seeking the death penalty for Jesus Christ, he said, always does that to him. “It is very dark,” said Osler, a former federal…
Students find plenty to do in Haiti
By Jeff Brumley College student Shelby Johnson missed the March 3 announcement that the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship was shifting its work in Haiti from disaster response to long-term projects, like community health and economic development. But the English and Spanish double…
Christ’s humanity often shortchanged
By Jeff Brumley Christian theology takes the Bible verse John 1:14, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us,” to mean that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, fully human and fully divine. Scholars who speak…
Baptists hopeful about new pope
By Jeff Brumley Baptists reacting to this week’s installation of Pope Francis voiced hope about his record for improving relations between Catholics and Protestants, his concern for the poor and the face he puts on the broader Christian community for non-believers. Alan Rudnick, pastor…
Suzii Paynter on life, Lent and CBF
By Jeff Brumley Since her nomination as executive coordinator in January, Suzii Paynter has been traveling at a breathless pace helping guide the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship into a new organizational and missional era. The pace only increased with her election…
CBF ends Haiti disaster response
By Jeff Brumley The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has gotten out of the disaster-response business in Haiti, but churches planning long- or short-term mission trips there needn’t be worried, a Fellowship official said today. “Churches can still engage” in outreach with…
NABF retools disaster-relief network
By Jeff Brumley The stream of volunteers coming through La Place, La., these days ebbs and flows, says Reid Doster, coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Louisiana. A large group of Stetson University students is currently rehabbing some of…
Rising stress boosts clergy depression
By Jeff Brumley Bryan Hatcher was a Baptist pastor once, so he gets it when ministers buckle under the strain of long work weeks, budget pressures and that feeling of constantly being in a fish bowl. And because he has…
GW, Rick Perry to eulogize Cliburn
By Jeff Brumley Former President George W. Bush and Texas Gov. Rick Perry are among those scheduled to speak at the funeral of Van Cliburn Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas. A Russian cellist will also speak at the 3 p.m….