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,…
OPINION: What’s going on?
For the last five years I’ve been immersed in thoughts about the prophetic role of the Church in our world. Part of this fascination is due to the belief that the work of artists inherently holds the opportunity to be…
EDITORIAL: Forward to the past?
In a couple of different settings recently I have heard expressed sentiments that run something like the following: “Why shouldn’t we expect institutions and agencies of Baptist state fellowships, conventions or general associations to be self-supporting? Why should we continue…
OPINION: The power of story-filled conversation
I have received many emails recently from pastors and lay leaders asking the how to move forward in implementing the “ancient-future” type of 21st century Baptist identity I have presented in this column. While the idea of finding our future…
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,”…