“It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship.” “Jesus isn’t my religion, He’s my savior.” “Why I hate religion and love Jesus.” I’ve heard all of these and more. And I understand the idea behind the slogans. A lot of rotten…
Choose ye this day diversity
A strong, natural, cultural tendency among humankind—even those committed to loving all people—is to be in community with those considered to be “our kind of people”. The tendency is to swarm with people with whom there is the least diversity…
What the pope could teach even Baptists
Pope Francis is quickly becoming my favorite Pope. I did not grow up Catholic but did grow up seeing Pope John Paul II in the news. I always liked John Paul. But when Pope Benedict came into the position I…
What kind of Baptists are we?
In the 1950s and 60s, the unofficial public theology of America was dominated by theologians associated with what we now call “the Protestant Mainline”. A public theology makes biblical teaching relevant to the pressing political, economic and social issues of…
Evangelism run amok
I fell for the trap and barely saw it coming. Got reeled in hook, line and sinker. And I should have known better. For several years, an anonymous emailer who portrays himself as a devout Roman Catholic has been taunting…
What you don’t know about Millennials
The Baby Boomer generation is often thought as the generation that worked hard, helped get us where we are, and was the backbone of the 20th century. Now that Baby Boomers are retiring, many have asked the question, “Who will…
Bivocational ministry is a thing of great beauty
Jack was the bivocational pastor of the church I attended in Pennsylvania when that church licensed me to ministry as a step towards my ordination. Dale was the bivocational national leader for bivocational ministries among Baptists. Glenn was the bivocational…
As new executive take the helm, British Baptists rebrand their union to emphasize relationships
DIDCOT, England (ABP) — Baptist life in Great Britain entered a new stage this week under a new leader and with a new website and magazine aimed at rebranding the 122-year-old Baptist Union of Great Britain. Lynn Green Lynn Green,…
New Cooperative Baptist Fellowship structure energizes, leaders say as changes are implemented
ATLANTA (ABP) — About 140 people have visited Atlanta in the last four weeks for implementation of a new leadership structure adopted last year following a two-year study on ways to improve the 22-year-old Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s effectiveness and reach….