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,…
Thoughts leading into MLK Day
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr. I’ve always loved Batman. He wasn’t my first love, that was Supes, but early on I grew to love the man…
100K race a reflection of self
We’d listened to everyone gathering at the starting area and we could hear the voices over the announcement speaker giving instructions to all the runners on the cold morning when I stepped out of the camper I had rented for…
The Screwtape E-mails
By Miguel De La Torre On Wed, Dec 4, 2013 at 5:36 PM, Screwtape [email protected]; wrote: Dearest Wormwood, It is with great pleasure that I hear of the success you are having with your Christian patient. Just because they say…
Emergency rooms
By Bill Leonard Just when I think we have nothing in common with the people of the New Testament, I show up in an emergency room. I’ve been there several times recently, not for my own needs (yet), but with…
Emergency rooms
By Bill Leonard Just when I think we have nothing in common with the people of the New Testament I show up in an emergency room. I’ve been there several times recently, not for my own needs (yet), but with…
Emergency rooms
By Bill Leonard Just when I think we have nothing in common with the people of the New Testament I show up in an emergency room. I’ve been there several times recently, not for my own needs (yet), but with…
How to welcome a new pastor to your church
When Beth McConnell was being introduced to our congregation as our new pastor, someone asked her what we could do to make her transition easier. Beth is too humble to give you this list. Over the decades, I have given…
Forever Changed #18: the journey home
This is my last writing to you as I will be replaced this week and begin to transition home. I have been trying to figure out what to write on this last report. So here goes… As I reflect on…
A responsible nation
By Fred Anderson For 300 years after the first permanent English settlement on its eastern seaboard, the United States had an open frontier looking west. Venturesome pioneers who occupied the new land faced conditions which made the possession of firearms…