Feeding people does more than satiate their hunger. Daniel Banyuls, pastor of Iglesia Evangelica Bautista in Cerdanyola, Spain, can testify to that. “Through this feeding ministry, we are fighting material, educational, emotional and spiritual poverty,” Banyuls said. Banyuls has served…
Former pastor says racism a factor in his dismissal
The pastor of a small Southern Baptist church in Alabama is out of a job following a dispute he says began when two deacons asked him not to invite African-American children to Vacation Bible School. Mount Sterling Baptist Church in…
Transitions for the week of 08.05.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES John Baldwin, to Berea Baptist Church, Rockville, Va., as pastor. He comes from the pastorate of Glenn Memorial…
New ‘stable of preachers’ frees small-church pastors for sabbaticals
Five decades. That’s how long Ken Hale served small Baptist churches without an extended break. But that streak finally ended last fall when long-time friend and retired pastor Bill Bruster volunteered to stand in for Hale at Trinity Baptist Church…
Study says stained-glass ceiling slowly lifting in churches
Openness to calling a woman as senior pastor is growing incrementally in moderate and progressive Baptist churches in the southern United States, according to the latest State of Women in Baptist Life report by Baptist Women in Ministry. “The statistics…
Sacred space: the antidote to over-stimulation
Sometimes, pastors need a place to get away, a place to go where they can recharge between sermons and committee meetings and the like. They need a sanctuary from the sanctuary — a space where they can delve into Scripture, pray…
Baptist peace group affirms Black Lives Matter
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America-Bautistas por la Paz, the world’s largest network of Baptist peacemakers with members in four countries, has issued a statement of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. “It is past time for an…
WMU names new leader
Sandra Wisdom-Martin, leader of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas since 2010, has been named eighth executive director of the national women’s auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention founded in 1888. Wisdom-Martin, who served as women’s missions and ministries director for…
Messy partnerships between churches, ministries can transform lives, say field personnel
Grace and Main Fellowship is an ecumenical, grassroots community development and social justice ministry located in the heart of Danville, Va. Ascension Lutheran Church is a traditional, predominantly white ELCA congregation located nearby. “These are two organizations that would probably…
New president at Arkansas Baptist College vows to help school reach its potential
Arkansas Baptist College has selected a scholar nationally known for his commitment to social justice and community service as successor to Fitz Hill, the current president credited with rescuing the historically black college on the verge of bankruptcy when he…
Minister learns hard lesson: offer professional help for mental health
As Joe Padilla visits with pastors and church leaders about mental health, he often finds hearts willing to help but ill-equipped to do so. After walking through his own personal journey when his wife was diagnosed as bipolar, Padilla realized the church needed…
Change is an inside job — for both congregations and individuals, say coaches
The experience of guiding churches through challenges and change feels a lot like helping individuals through the same process, say consultants.