As a pastor, even in the free-church, priesthood of believers, Baptist tradition, I feel a need to respond and minister in a profound way when tragedy strikes. If I’m being honest, part of that tug comes from my understanding of…
Longing for vision
By Molly T. Marshall Without it — that vision thing — we will not fulfill God’s longing for us. Indeed, we may well perish. Following the Eastertide texts in Acts, vision seems to be the catalyst for the boundary traversing…
Don’t call your next pastor. Draft your next pastor.
The pastor search process might be a whole lot more fun (or funny) if it was run like the National Football League draft. Why go through months—even years—of searching for the right pastor when you just need to be ready…
Protecting the church from violence
By Terrell Carter With multiple incidents occurring over the past year in churches of all kinds, what is the responsibility of local church leaders in order to protect their congregations from random acts of violence? This question is not strictly…
When the church is at its best
Hardly a day goes by that I do not read some criticism of the church—whether in its local, national, or global expressions. I acknowledge that there is much to criticize but there is much to praise as well. As I worshiped last…
Calamity turns Americans to God
By Marv Knox Bombs burst at America’s most venerated footrace, ripping runners and spectators limb from limb. An industrial explosion blocks from some of Texas’ most beloved bakeries shakes an iconic small town to its core. Poison-laced letters in Washington…
Boston is about us
When I recovered from the initial shock and horror of the Boston Marathon bombing, I automatically switched into advocacy mode. “Please, God,” I thought, “don’t let the perpetrators turn out to be foreigners or immigrants.” I am not proud of…
The Church Draft
As millions of football fans will undoubtedly will be glued to their televisions and social media, they will hunger for the latest information about NFL draft picks. The NFL draft is part pageantry and part celebration for football teams and their…
Christians and guns
By Adam English At the risk of offending, I feel compelled to express my dismay over the way the Christian community has approached the debate about guns. My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we have allowed political parties, news…