By Bill Wilson I had a first-ever experience recently flying out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The weather was deteriorating, but we boarded our flight on time and I had high hopes of getting out before things backed up. We…
Change is coming to Baptistland
By Christa Brown Last Saturday in Florida, a unanimous jury awarded $12.5 million to a man who, as a child, was sexually abused by a Southern Baptist minister. Significantly, this verdict was assessed, not only against the local church, but…
Sometimes spiritual discipline requires a ‘thumbs up’
By Amy Butler I recently read an article about “running ministries” which opened with a story about a ministry called “Sweaty Sheep,” a Kentucky group that sees running as church. I try to be open to alternative perspectives, diversity in…
A Baptist’s report from Tehran
Report from Tehran, January 22, 2014 I spent the afternoon today ambling along the streets of Tehran soaking in the city, negotiating the tiny, bustling alleys of its bazaar, and reflecting as I stood in front of the former U.S….
Something stinks in West Virginia
By Bruce Day It was after my walk on a hiking trail, as I was parking to attend a conference, that I saw a most stunning sight. Berry College, in Rome Ga., has the great fortune of being home to…
Finding our way home
Two seemingly unrelated stories recently captured my attention. One came my way while on an afternoon date with my wife. The other arrived the same night, as I sat down and read a book written by a long-term friend. By…
Renewing the Poor People’s Campaign
By Molly T. Marshall This week I attended a forum at a large African-American church in Kansas City, Mo., which assembled to probe and hopefully jumpstart King’s idea of the Poor People’s Campaign. The room was filled equally with black…
Renewing the Poor People’s Campaign
Overly churched culture congregations should change prayer focus
[Note: This is the fourth in a series of posts on the overly churched culture congregation. To see the full series go to Author Archives: George Bullard.] The first transitional action an overly churched culture church can take to bring…
Church without … well, people
By Brett Younger Anyone who knows someone at church with whom they would rather not share a hymnal, pass the peace, or high five while lifting holy hands knows the feeling. We love the church, but some of the people…
The most segregated hour
By Hannah McMahan Yesterday we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister who was more than a preacher. King was a voice — a prophetic voice — calling our nation to compassion, justice…
Prettifying prophets
By Ken Sehested I have a vivid memory of that exact moment. I was in seminary, having fled my native South to Yankeedom to finish college and start theological training, embarrassed at being a Baptist, at being a white Southerner,…