Third century mathematician, Archimedes, coined the phrase, “Give me a lever and a place to stand and I’ll move the world.” At the time he was talking about the power of a tool that uses force and a fulcrum to…
Accompany them … with food
By Molly T. Marshall I had opportunity to see the Body of Christ at its best these past weeks. A faithful member of my Sunday school class has been concluding his nearly three-year struggle with cancer. With grace and dignity,…
Accompany them … with food
By Molly T. Marshall I had opportunity to see the Body of Christ at its best these past weeks. A faithful member of my Sunday school class has been concluding his nearly three-year struggle with cancer. With grace and dignity,…
Conversation and hiring policies: This is not about that.
“A [Baptist] Conversation on Sexuality” did many things for CBF Baptists, including creating an open forum for people of differing theological beliefs to sit across from one another and talk. It welcomed more people from differing perspectives on issues of…
Late season spring cleaning
Hidden away in USA Today on July 5 was a little article announcing that Google was doing a little “spring cleaning in the summer.” The article stated that Google is retiring its iGoogle personalized home page. I will say that this news…
Talk about sexuality isn’t enough
By Chris Hughes A [Baptist] Conversation on Sexuality did many things for CBF Baptists, including creating an open forum for people of differing theological beliefs to sit across from one another and talk. It welcomed more people from differing perspectives…
Absorbing Chaos
Dennis C. Golden, president of Fontbonne University in St. Louis, once recalled a visit years ago with a friend who also was at the helm of a university. During their conversation, Golden’s friend described her role as college president in…
Miss Jane
Officially, she had no children. Unofficially, she had scads of them. I don’t know of the children she shepherded as teacher and librarian. By the time I met her she was long retired. I know only of the countless children…
The politics of race
By Miguel De La Torre At 53, I am old enough to remember a pre-Civil Rights era when all types of shenanigans were employed to prevent certain groups of people (predominantly African-Americans) from voting. Heavily populated black districts would elect…
The Eschatology of ‘Young Love’
Six months ago I couldn’t have imagined writing an appreciative review of an album by an artist whose music is frequently described as a unique blend of folk, hip-hop, and Brit-pop (think Coldplay for the latter genre). The Coldplay connection…
Changing perspectives about mission
Hyaets Community frequently receives calls from folks wanting to visit. This is essential for us, as it provides us with opportunities to connect with old friends, meet some new ones, and most of the time brings willing workers to help…
Describe a healthy pastor search process, please
By Bill Wilson The search process for a new pastor is both an exhilarating and a risky time for a congregation. Healthy congregations go at this task from the framework of a spiritual discernment process that is unique to the…