NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — After 166 years as the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s second-largest religious body could be getting a new name. SBC President Bryant Wright announced Sept. 19 the appointment of a committee to study whether it is…
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship seeks search committee members
ATLANTA (ABP) — Elected leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are seeking names to consider for a search committee to recommend a replacement for the moderate Baptist organization’s retiring CEO. Daniel Vestal, executive coordinator of the Atlanta-based CBF since 1996,…
Vestal announces decision to retire in 2012 as CBF executive coordinator
ATLANTA (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal has announced that he will retire effective June 30, 2012. “Fifteen years ago I sensed a calling of the Spirit to become coordinator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” Vestal told the…
Are singles finding community at church?
"Why aren't you married yet?" "When are you going to settle down?" "Why can't a pretty girl (or handsome guy) like you find a husband (or wife)?" Singles sometimes hear these questions from well-meaning friends or relatives, which can make…
Singles ministry tough, but vital
RALEIGH, N.C. — Greg Belcher understands why many churches avoid keeping or starting a ministry specifically to "single adults." It's tough. A large part of the difficulty in singles ministry is the huge umbrella the term covers. "Singles" are not…
Single adults represent tremendous mission field
A hidden mission field exists — one that encompasses more people than live in many small countries. And it could be just outside the walls of any given church. Single adults make up more than 40 percent of the U.S….
9/11 and the paradox of Christian patriotism in America
By David Gushee Responses to 9/11 and its aftermath have deepened the paradox of Christian patriotism, which may be more acute in the United States than anywhere else in the world at this particular moment. It is indeed a perennial…
North Carolina CBF rallies around pastor during deportation threat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Thirty-three people wearing “I Support Hector” badges packed Immigration Court in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 2 for the hearing of a Hispanic church planter facing possible deportation. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina worked hard to…
Zionisms and the quest for peace
By David Gushee A casual newspaper reader might think there are two discrete places called “Israel” and “the Palestinian territories” but a visitor soon discovers the intertwining of these populations. That intertwining could be a good thing. There were parts…
Churches offer ‘Soul Food,’ encouragement to the unemployed
When people are in trouble following natural disasters, churches usually respond rapidly and generously. The disaster of chronic unemployment creates a different set of challenges, but some churches across the country provide models of ministry to people affected by economic…
If God made us for meaningful labor, what if we can’t find a job?
In an uncertain and unstable economy, how do Christians reconcile work as a reflection of the image of God in them with high unemployment and under-employment rates? Should believers reexamine what defines "meaningful" work? How do Christians reconcile faith issues…
Beyond immediate ministry, a call to address social inequities
While many churches reach out to meet the immediate needs of people who have lost jobs, Christians also are called to tackle underlying social issues related to employment and to partner with others to help make long-term changes, some ethicists…