Joe Crumpler, widower of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship founder Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler, died June 10 at age 89. The retired 30-year pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Cincinnati was a leader in both the CBF and the Southern Baptist Convention.
British Baptist leader seeks common good after Brexit vote
British Baptists’ top leader assured continuing cooperation with the European Baptist Federation in an open letter to EBF leaders following Britain’s June 23 vote to leave the European Union. “Today we, as the Baptist Union of Great Britain, declare afresh…
Baptist churches should emulate Black Lives Matter movement, says advocate
A Black Lives Matter advocate fired a shot across the bow of Baptist churches, challenging them and other Christians to embrace Christ’s calling to care for society’s most oppressed. “The story of the church in recent years is that that…
Judge criticizes secrecy in U.S. executions
An Arkansas judge who last year declared unconstitutional a law that allows the state to keep confidential the source of drugs used for execution by lethal injection has lamented a 5-4 decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court reversing his ruling….
CBF General Assembly spawns two statements condemning Orlando massacre
Elected leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship passed a rare social commentary statement June 24 condemning the June 15 mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. “CBF is not a like-minded fellowship about matters related to human sexuality,”…
CBF adopts new model for funding field personnel
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is embarking on a new course for national and international missions, one designed to broaden relationships between churches and field personnel and to boost the Fellowship’s global presence. CBF members voted during its General Assembly in…
Black pastor urges CBF to partner with institutions in the ‘hood’
An African-American pastor says Baptists should become less concerned about “just having blacks in white space” for the sake of diversity and more involved in building institutions that empower predominantly black neighborhoods.
Pastor says being black a ‘burdensome joy’
An African-American minister described the experience of being black in America as a “burdensome joy” at a New Baptist Covenant luncheon June 23 during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in Greensboro, N.C. “Much of who I am and what…
Embracing the journey
Almost by accident, Kerry Smith has become a popular artist — a sculptor, painter and woodcarver. But he hasn’t done it alone. His constant companion — and a most unwelcome one — is chronic pain. The former minister is now a ‘prisoner to pain,’ but art ‘transports’ him to a place of purpose.
Historian says it’s ‘too late in the denominational game’ for segregated ministry
Baptists no longer have the luxury in today’s culture of ministering to their communities in silos separated by race, Baptist historian Bill Leonard said June 23 at a New Baptist Covenant luncheon at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in…
At 25, CBF still building something new
At 25, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship recalls its birth in a passionate commitment to freedom. All stories must start somewhere. Baptist stories are no different — from the self-baptism of John Smyth in 1609 to Roger Williams planting the first…
Human rights advocate elected to top NABF leadership role
Human rights activist Elijah Brown has been elected general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship, succeeding congregational leadership coach and author George Bullard, the organization has announced. Brown is the executive vice president of the Falls Church, Va.-based 21st Century…