Two words combined to be a buzz phrase have appeared at different times and in different ways in Baptist life lately, especially at CBF General Assembly last month: Spiritual. Formation. The new Dawnings CBF initiative that offers a missional visioning…
The gift of a ministry of presence
It was impossible to go to all of the breakout sessions at the CBF General Assembly in June. Because of this, my wife and I chose sessions that would be most applicable to us as a pastoral couple getting ready…
The church and Kanye West
By Amy Butler The church could learn a lot from Kanye West. This might seem a novel idea both to churchy folks and to Kanye, but humor me. There is much worry these days about the future of the church…
The church and Kanye West
By Amy Butler The church could learn a lot from Kanye West. This might seem a novel idea both to churchy folks and to Kanye, but humor me. There is much worry these days about the future of the church…
The currency of God’s kingdom
The Currency of God’s Kingdom 1 John 5:1-6 In the past, I have volunteered as a coach for various YMCA youth sports teams. The last team that I coached was a K-1st grade soccer team. In the YMCA league, they…
Seeking an authentic self
By Molly T. Marshall Although we live in a time of “endless self-documentation,” in the words of Meghan O’Rourke, few seem comfortable with the self they are crafting. Incessant posting of the beauty of vacation settings, food prepared or consumed…
Wooly + waste (or the art of nonviolent Facebook-ing)
I’ve found it quite difficult to remain internet friends with people these days (thanks mostly to the DOMA ruling, Paula Deen, and living in the Southeast around the 4th of July). Now, I do realize it can be hard to…
Ten reasons why I pray during Ramadan
My initial experiences with Ramadan years ago in West Africa were at times confusing to say the least. I will never forget getting caught in an awful traffic jam in the main thoroughfare of one of the most congested neighborhood…
Christians and capital punishment
By Roger Olson To this day, the majority of Americans favor capital punishment for certain crimes, in spite of — or perhaps because of — the almost overwhelming negative judgment about it on the parts of intellectuals and writers. I…
Why Jesus and God follow baseball
Baseball is America’s favorite pastime . . . and God’s! Not really, but maybe. Who really knows? It’s a game of anticipation, strategy and skill. It’s a game that can’t be won by one player, but a lot can be…
Third-pig thinking
By Bill Wilson Remember the story of the Three Little Pigs? Sent out by their mother to make their way in the world, they live in fear of the Big Bad Wolf. Their first order of business is to build…
iPhones and paper Bibles
He stuck his head in the classroom door like a substitute English teacher on the biology hall, looked at the well-dressed occupants and stepped back into the hall. His Sunday School class of 30-somethings was to begin meeting with this group of…