By Kate Hanch There’s something about loving our enemies that makes us uneasy and anxious. It goes against our gut feelings and automatic responses. In a world of many polarizing politics and reality television that capitalizes on finding the scapegoat,…
Grabbing the thread of forgiveness
By Norman Jameson A 1972 photograph of 9-year-old Kim Phuc fleeing her burning village in Vietnam — her clothes incinerated from her body and her skin falling from her back and arms — captured the world’s attention. Some say it…
The time is now for collaboration among Baptists
By Bill Leonard “Diversity” is surely one of the first words that spring to mind when delegates from American Baptist Churches in the USA meet in biennial convocation. This year’s gathering in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a classic illustration…
The conversation no one wants to keep having
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan Baptist Women in Ministry recently came out with its latest report on the state of women in Baptist life. In the report, released at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship meeting in Tampa, Fla., BWIM reported that there…
Separating church and schools
By Jim Denison On June 2, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that New York City can block religious groups from using public school facilities for worship services. This ruling is significant far beyond its…
Midway through the Christian Year
By R. Kevin Johnson Our journey through the Christian Year has come to the mid-point. We have heard the words of the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. We witnessed his birth at Christmas. With the Wise Men,…
Celebrate religious liberty, exercise the freedom to worship
By Barry Howard Fourth of July weekend is upon us. Where will you be this Sunday morning? While many of us have appropriate plans in place this weekend to celebrate our nation’s independence with picnics, barbeques, ice cream and fireworks,…
Carrying Rosa
By Meredith Wilkinson In my work in the South Tucson community of Tucson, Ariz., I have many conversations and occasional debates about the plight of migrants who cross our southern borders. In southern Arizona issues related to immigration are anything…
It’s my life
By Amy Butler What am I meant to do with my life? What am I called to do? What is the deep and real meaning and purpose of my life — my destiny, the reason I was created in the…