When we — Baptists and Methodists — were all evangelical

It may now seem surprising to many United Methodists, and even more Baptists, that for most of our histories in the United States, all Methodists and Baptists were regularly designated as evangelical denominations. The most important reason is that both...

Analysis Lovett H. Weems Jr.

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Rev. C.T. Vivian salutes American Baptist College amid heritage honor, ‘Selma’ role

Rev. Derrick Harkins stepping down as pastor of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church

Six words to describe a life: Saints don’t know they are saints

By Brett Younger As a child of deaf parents, she was the one who made the phone call when the refrigerator stopped working. Bennie went to bed knowing she was the one who would hear if something happened during the…

Unsettled by truth: A border awareness experience

The summer before my senior year of college, my parents adopted a cat. When they found him he was covered in dirt and matted fur. He hung his head low and did not purr. When you ran your hand over…

A minister to median adult households trumps a youth minister

Did you get a chance to read my post on having a minister to young adult households trumps having a minister to children? For those of you who thought that was an interesting approach worth considering, how would you feel…

Should a pastor know what church members give?

Every time I teach a stewardship workshop or class, this question invariably comes up: “Should a pastor have access to contribution records?” In some congregations, pastors are prohibited from knowing what people contribute. In others, pastors choose to shield themselves…

Pastoral residencies picking up — and pastors are taking notice

By Jeff Brumley It’s hardly news anymore that Baptist and other churches are struggling to rediscover their identity and relevance in a postmodern, post-Christian era. But what is getting church leaders’ attention is the growing number of congregations that are…

At Convergence, being missional cuts two ways

By Jeff Brumley Ryan Walker and Dan ABH both spend a lot of time at Convergence, the hybrid arts initiative and church in suburban Washington. Walker, 35, a professional musician raised by parents deeply involved in Baptist life, hangs out…

Baptist college reinstates fired VP

By Bob Allen A Brewton-Parker College vice president fired Feb. 2 after refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement about Ergun Caner’s Jan. 20 resignation has been reinstated. Iowa pastor Dave Miller, editor of SBC Voices, a group blog devoted to…

Return with tears to God’s loving embrace during Lent, pope says

Surprise gift largest ever for Pittsburgh seminary