Christians often have been reminded that some of their forebears supported slavery, but many do not know Christians ended slavery in the United States. Southern Baptists, in particular, frequently are reminded their convention began amid the defense of slavery. Yet...
One of my mentors in the area of conflict mediation was Bill Treadwell. I loved that guy. I miss him. He had so much wisdom about how to deal with people in congregations. He was as much right-brained as I…
Despite what almost every single church sign says, openly LGBT people are NOT welcomed in most churches across the South and across America. Richard “Dick” Brogan was a personal friend and one of my heroes. Dick was a white Mississippi Baptist…
By Jeff Brumley Things were looking bleak for Orange Grove Baptist Church and its aging membership when Greg Shoemaker arrived as its pastor about a year ago. Located just north of Pascagoula, Miss., the congregation and community around it had…
By Bob Allen Eighty-eight faith leaders wrote President Obama and congressional leaders Feb. 25 urging them to protect hunger and poverty programs as they seek to avert government spending cuts due to take effect March 1. The letter is from…
By Barbara Francis A baptism is always cause for celebration in a Baptist church, but Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., witnessed a rare spectacle recently when a daughter of the congregation returned to the baptistery where she was immersed…
PALMYRA, Va. — While taking a hard look at the tragedy of human trafficking last fall, the Ladies Night ministry at Effort Baptist Church in Palmyra, Va., found the horrors of sexual slavery shocking. Though a global issue and one…
RICHMOND — JR Woodward, a missiologist with more than 20 years of experience as a church planter and pastor, has been named first full-time coordinator of V3 Tribe, a missional church planting movement with ties to Virginia Baptists. Woodward, who…
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Challenges facing intentional interim pastors as they help churches achieve “closure” during leadership transitions will be the focus of a March 4 event sponsored by the Virginia Network of Interim Ministers. “Cake and Coffee Is Not Enough!”,…
By Bill Wilson A striking phrase from Luke 9:51-53 describes Jesus as “turning his face toward Jerusalem.” This implies a resoluteness of intent and a high degree of commitment to a divine agenda. Nothing was going to dissuade Jesus from…
