By Bob Setzer In a recent Baptists Today article, I read about a 19th-century Baptist congregation that censured a slave for dancing. The slave was a “member” of the church, though as human chattel, it was his job merely to…
Giving thanks in a troubled land
By David Gushee Thanksgiving week is upon us. The annual celebration centered on gratitude for God’s blessings — for our nation, for family and all other good gifts — comes to a troubled, hungry, divided nation this year. Thanksgiving was…
Does the SBC respect local-church autonomy or not?
By Wade Burleson During the November 11, 2009, business session of the Georgia Baptist Convention, messengers to the Southern Baptist-affiliated state body dismissed the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Ga., from fellowship for the church’s calling of Julie Pennington-Russell as…
Teaching laypeople about the honor of preaching the gospel
By Amy Butler If I were being completely honest, I would tell you that the whole idea was a little, tiny bit self-serving. Having recently completed my doctor-of-ministry degree in preaching, I, strangely enough, managed to maintain my passion for…
The Fort Hood tragedy and radical Islam
(Editor’s note: This is the first release of a biweekly column that Jim Denison will be writing for Associated Baptist Press. Called FaithLines, the column will address contemporary theological issues that will emerge from the intersection of Christian faith and…
Will your congregation still exist in 10 years?
By George Bullard North America has at least 350,000 religious congregations. Every year about one percent of them die. That means that 10 years from now, 35,000 congregations will no longer exist. Will your church be one of them? What…
On House health-care bill, one Democrat speaks freely
By David Sanders Before the raging debate on health-care reform began, most folks outside Arkansas would have been hard pressed to identify Rep. Mike Ross. But over the past few months this Democrat, who represents a congressional district that stretches…
Great awakening versus cultural captivity
By Marv Knox If — as some observers claim — flames of spiritual awakening are fanning across the globe, then why have they seemingly lept over the United States? Titles of two great books provide a clue: At Ease in…
In strong support of the House health-care bill
By David Gushee From a Christian perspective aiming to advance human dignity at every stage of life, the version of the health-care bill that passed in the House Nov. 7 was a remarkable public-policy victory. It is stronger than the…
Job, the Coen brothers and ‘A Serious Man’
By Amy Butler I have a bone to pick with the Coen brothers. After preaching a 3-week series on the book of Job, I was looking forward to a new take on Job’s story when I went to see the…
Uzbekistan trip makes religious-liberty concerns real
By Kyle Reese On a typical day, the July 29 Associated Baptist Press headline I read, “Uzbekistan charges Baptist camp with crimes,” would catch my attention, but quickly give way to other matters. However, this particular July 29 was no…
A lesson about race and the church
By David Sanders My father, the Rev. Ronald F. Sanders, began pastoring Southern Baptist churches well before I was born. Like many who proclaim the gospel Sunday after Sunday, he was called to ministry at an early age. He graduated…