“One of the big points of dialogue is ‘how will the mitre fit over my dreadlocks?’” Justin Duckworth The recently-appointed and unconventional Anglican bishop of Wellington, New Zealand, has dreadlocks and is usually seen around town in shorts and bare…
VITAL SIGNS: The staffing dilemma
There is a revolution taking place in the way traditional congregations hire, manage and compensate their staff. Some of it is healthy and overdue, some of it is painful and short-sighted. Bill Wilson As traditional congregations entered the 21st century,…
WINN RECOMMENDS
Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis, Lauren Winner (HarperOne) I once heard someone say, “It’s unfortunate that Lauren Winner can never seem to find something uninteresting to say.” That just about sums it up. Winner, author of Girl Meets God…
HERITAGE: Who influenced you?
Baptist identity is the subject of the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. Craig Sherouse, pastor of the host church, will share what…
Gardner-Webb students leap headlong into local foods movement in surrounding community
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University students have lately grown increasingly interested in the local foods movement. So this spring, Stephanie Richey, GWU’s community engagement coordinator and local foods aficionado, decided to capitalize. “Gardner-Webb’s office of Christian life and service always plans…
OPINION: Pentecostal power
In the church I grew up in, we used to sing with great fervor: Lord send the old-time power, the Pentecostal power! I never was quite sure what that song was about. I suspect it had more to do with…
OPINION: A new way of being Christian
Three decades ago, the evangelical faithful was galvanized by public debates over abortion, the size of the federal government, the future of the traditional family and religious liberty. Many responded by following divisive leaders into the culture wars with the…
Spiritual direction useful for churches too, says minister
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—A period of guided spiritual direction is often recommended for Christians struggling with their enthusiasm for discipleship. “There are times when we need help getting unstuck,” said Jayne Davis, minister of spiritual formation at First Baptist Church in Wilmington,…
HeraldBeat
Transitions ON THE MOVE Brandon Ives, to Spring Hill Baptist Church, Ruckersville, Va., as senior pastor, effective June 3. Daniel Pittman, to Parkwood Baptist Church, High Point, N.C., as pastor. Mark Wingfield, to First Baptist Church, Grottoes, Va., as pastor….
Your church has committed to staying put. Now what?
Choosing to remain in its downtown setting may be one of the most significant decisions a church makes. But that’s not the end of the story, according to pastors of several central city congregations, who suggested several next steps. •…
Clear identity is crucial for churches engaging downtown ministry
Clarifying its identity is essential for a church committed to remaining in a downtown setting, congregational consultants and pastors of vibrant in-town churches observe. “I think the most important question a congregation can ask is: Who is God calling us…
Urban churches embrace their in-town context
Eighty percent of success is showing up, Woody Allen once famously said. Paraphrasing the film director’s wit, increasing numbers of downtown churches have discovered that a high percentage of successful ministry is staying put. Committed to “blooming where they’re planted,”…