By John Carpenter In December 2013, Brewton-Parker College, a Southern Baptist institution in Georgia, hired Ergun Caner as president. They said they called Caner “because of the attacks” on him. That should be the siren signal awakening us all to…
Where’s the passion?
Recently, Brett Younger wrote an article challenging seminaries to do more for their students: Seminaries should not focus on ministers being efficient, effective and successful. The church needs fervor, anger and desire. Seminaries should not produce ministers who want to…
Rethinking the sacredness of marriage
By Colin Harris The closing days of 2013 saw two more states gaining approval for marriage equality, bringing the total to 18, suggesting a clear political momentum that will not likely be reversed. Around and beneath this legal process has…
Choose ye this day diversity
A strong, natural, cultural tendency among humankind—even those committed to loving all people—is to be in community with those considered to be “our kind of people”. The tendency is to swarm with people with whom there is the least diversity…
Numbering our days, applying our hearts
By Bill Leonard “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Those words from Psalm 90:12 KJV challenge us at year’s end to contemplate what we’ve learned in 2013 and how we might…
Forever Changed #16: Religion v. spirituality in the war zone
One thing I have learned in Iraq is maybe another rendition of the age old adage – there are no atheists in foxholes. Or it could just be the way chaplains try to negotiate the pluralistic world we live in….
‘Duck Dynasty’ and the struggle over Christianity
By Thomas Whitley There is no such thing as Christianity. Let me repeat myself so you know I really meant to say it: There is no such thing as Christianity. What we have instead are reifications and definitions. As with…
‘Duck Dynasty’ and the struggle over Christianity
By Thomas Whitley There is no such thing as Christianity. Let me repeat myself so you know I really meant to say it: There is no such thing as Christianity. What we have instead are reifications and definitions. As with…
5 things associate pastors need to survive
The work of an associate pastor often does not receive the high praise or support compared to their senior pastor. Associate pastors have the challenging task of supporting the mission and vision of the church under the leadership of their…