FARMVILLE, Va.—More than 70 graduates from every decade since the 1940s participated in the recent third biennial reunion of Longwood University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries Alumni Association. Dinner in Longwood BCM's newly-expanded facility was a highlight of its recent alumni reunion….
When does it make sense for a church to produce its own material?
Producing study materials for a church is a huge undertaking that diverts staff time, energy and attention away from other assignments. Making that decision, then, should be done carefully. When does it make sense for a church to produce its…
Rallies raise awareness of need for more foster parents
SALEM, Va.—Mention the word orphan and typically what comes to mind are children in impoverished nations around the globe. Virginia Baptists’ HopeTree Family Services and other faith-based organizations in Virginia are seeking to change that image and get the word…
FIRST PERSON: The ups and downs of curriculum writing
Writing the Nurturing Faith curriculum for Baptists Today has proven to be both a joy and a challenge. Joy comes in the regular discipline of digging into the text, wrestling with the original language (which usually wins), and trying to…
TRENDING: Four emerging ministry and staffing patterns
1. “Oikos” grows. As Millenniels pass Boomers as the largest generation, LifeWay Research indicates that top priority among the Millennial generation is family. With the disintegration of nuclear family in North American life through proliferating divorce, extended family or…
Organizations step into role of curriculum publishers
Local congregations aren’t alone in discovering that developing Christian education resources can meet a critical need. Other organizations have expanded their missions to include creating Bible study materials. Both the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Nashville, Tenn.-based Baptist…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Transitions—Turning into life’s skids
Can you picture it? You’re driving on a slippery road. Your car suddently careens out of control. Things happen in the blink of an eye—most of them bad. Your brain switches automatically into survival mode. You panic and react instinctively….
EDITORIAL: What the church can learn from the Trayvon Martin tragedy
If Trayvon Martin had been my son or nephew, I would have been as angry as his family is. Martin is reported to have had his problems, but to wind up dead at the hands of a neighborhood watch volunteer?…
HERITAGE: Discerning the call
In 1904 George White McDaniel was a young promising preacher in Texas. A Baylor graduate, he had completed his theological studies at Southern Seminary in Louisville. Already he was in his third pastorate, serving a church in Dallas. His name…
OUT LOUD
“If every Muslim does that then within a year we will have supplied every person in Germany with a Quran translation and they will not label us as terrorists or radicals or anything else, when they read Allah’s book.” Ibrahim…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Getting started as a new deacon—Questions to ask
in a recent Leadership Link on deacon training, I asked readers to share some of their thoughts about basic training for deacons. Cliff Hudgins of the Pittsylvania Baptist Association believes only about 15 percent of newly-elected deacons receive training. As…
VITAL SIGNS: Creatively outrageous congregations
I recently heard an interview with George Lois, a leader in the advertising world in the 1950s who helped revolutionize the industry. His innovations transformed advertising and made several of his clients into household names. I found his comments about…