BLUEFIELD, Va.—While the hand-made quilt was a necessary commodity for warmth in every remote house in Appalachia in the early 1900s, it also served as a decorative piece or an expression of love or remembrance of a person, time or…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Deacons and the Lord’s Supper
Although Baptist churches are as different as the people who comprise them and practices will vary from church to church, in most Baptist churches the deacons are responsible for distributing the elements during the Lord’s Supper. Doctrinal considerations The term…
LEADERSHIP LINK: It will get better
It's that time of year. Bright-eyed and empowered seminary students are completing their last papers, picking up their caps and gowns and saying goodbye to the hallowed walls of their theological training institution. For many, their master’s degree in divinity…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Attracting a new generation of leaders in ministry
When I was growing up, Christian ministers were widely held in high esteem. Although a few Elmer Gantrys may have been in the mix, churches and communties generally received their ministers with respect and honor. As a result, many Christian…
TRENDING: The view from Europe of the U.S. church
What will the next 10 years of the North American church will look like? We’ve learned from people like Alan Hirsch and Philip Jenkins to look to the global South for megatrends, and to Western Europe for early indicators for…
OUT LOUD
“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…
CBF explores new ways to do church
By Jeff Brumley A period of guided spiritual direction is often recommended for Christians struggling with their enthusiasm for discipleship. The same principle holds for congregations, Davis said, and is the approach she will employ as a speaker at “Impacting…
ABP honors veteran Baptist journalist
By Bob Allen Associated Baptist Press will honor veteran Baptist journalist Toby Druin with a lifetime achievement award at a banquet June 21 in conjunction with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly June 20-23 in Fort Worth, Texas. Druin, 77,…
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…