Opinion

Recently, someone asked me about the “measurable data” of my years of ministry. The question bemused me and my sense of calling. The question is clear. It is about numbers: attendance, baptisms, annual giving, and other quantifiable characteristics. But the…

Currently, I am living in Germany as a Fulbright scholar at Johannes Gutenberg University. During my time here, I have visited concentration camps, attempting to understand how an advance and civilized society, a culture which gave the world Beethoven, Luther…

Compassion doesn’t start with success. Compassion starts by measuring the people who are in need, and by investing our own time and energy and money in their lives.

As I left the recent Alliance of Baptists annual meeting and its excellent workshop on “Prophetic Preaching,” some reflections on the topic of prophetic preaching came rushing to the surface. William Barber‘s prophetic teaching and preaching had set the tone…

More than any leadership strategy, book, resource or plan I have ever encountered, the most important thing a leader needs to be successful in her work is character.

Do numerical, financial and cultural declines compel churches to seek expanded assistance from the secular government? As culture-privilege deteriorates, does government-privilege become increasingly essential?

Graduations are memorable and joyful experiences. Graduations are sad, too, however, as I realize that these students will not walk the halls and the classrooms of the university again on a daily basis. So I find myself with mixed feelings of celebration as well as grief.

Las graduaciones son experiencias memorables y gozosas. Sin embargo, las graduaciones también son tristes, ya que me doy cuenta de que este grupo de estudiantes no volverá a caminar a diario los pasillos y aulas de la universidad. A veces experimento el mismo sentimiento de duelo en ambientes más informales cuando hablo en conferencias o talleres en diferentes lugares alrededor del mundo.

In John 10:9 Jesus says, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” What does it mean to say that Jesus is the gate through which one…

Seminaries are changing in our time. Some have called theological education a “troubled industry,” and many trends support this analysis. As ecclesial patterns shift, seminaries are becoming more nimble in addressing the cultural marginalization of congregations. More important than ever,…

Recently, social media was abuzz with the hashtag #thingsonlychristianwomenhear. If you haven’t followed the conversation, you might want to peruse some of the comments. I have heard most of the things listed, particularly since I was ordained in a Baptist…

You may not need this advice today, but sometime in the future it is likely that you could be called upon to speak words of remembrance for a friend, coworker or loved one. When that time comes, it is important…

Last week, Baptist News Global ran an opinion piece, “In praise of political preaching,” that sought to advocate for political preaching from the pulpits of moderate and progressive congregations. The piece, written by Alan Bean, comes in the wake of…

Statistics suggest that 1 in 8 couples face infertility each year. What do they say about the Mother’s Day holiday? Many couples say their faith community is the least safe place when it comes to their baby-making woes.