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…
Preaching is inherently political — but not partisan
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…
5 ways the Church doesn’t understand those struggling to be mothers
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.
‘Stand and Fight’ or ‘Stop and Think’?
As we drive to my parents’ house, we see that the neighbors have a big sign in the yard. A normal yard sign in Mississippi is Congratulations Class of 2017 or Bitter Divorce Sale. I am suddenly self-conscious about our…
How those who claim to protect the church are actually undermining it
There’s a social dynamic that is no stranger to history and seems especially at work in our country today, but is too seldom talked about. Let’s take a look at a few institutions. First, there are public schools. The fundamental…
Caring for creation is uncontroversial. When a church takes specific actions it gets complicated
The idea of caring for creation was not in dispute at church, but the specific action of divestment raised a number of challenging questions. Does divestment reflect biblical principles of good stewardship? Can we really say we believe in social justice if we don’t divest? Is this financially responsible?
In praise of political preaching
Kingdom preaching is dangerous, and it has always been divisive, but the price of our safe silence has been staggering.
History, the Church and sexuality: The final exam
My “HIS 502 Intro to Christian History” class took their final examination this week: Three essay questions, choose 2, three hours. One of the questions was as follows: Jesus said: “At the resurrection, they will neither marry nor be given…
What are we in the Church fighting for?
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is 25 this year. No longer in infancy or even adolescence as an organization, I still hear people crack jokes about being “cooperative” Baptists instead of fighting Baptists. Since I have been in paid vocational ministry,…
The stench of imperial religion
Not long ago, we lost a volunteer at QC Family Tree right in the middle of her orientation. She showed many levels of discomfort with her position with us, much of it because she was being asked to confront the…
What do you do when the God of liberation fails to liberate?
To hope is not some wishful desire but an expected joy that God will bring about God’s purposes. Jürgen Moltmann argued for a hope based in a God who keeps promises, a God who is a step ahead of humanity…
Why all the negativity? Check out those neurological channels
Tired of all the vitriol on social media? Baffled by the intensity of others’ (and your own) emotional responses to hot button political issues? It turns out recent brain research and sociological studies offer hints as to why negativity reigns….