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…
Baylor’s Baptist Center designed to preserve, celebrate heritage
WACO—The Baptist Studies Center for Research at Baylor University, approved by the Baylor board of regents at their February meeting, will preserve the 400-year global heritage of Baptists through a virtual depository of important Baptist documents, photographs, books and other…
Looking to find your center of creativity? Unplug
Dad, I want you to confiscate all my technology this weekend so I can find the creative center of myself.” These words of wisdom from our middle child, the comedic genius of the family, brought many laughs and “likes” as…
Survivors, witnesses of lynching tell tales of fear, faith and forgiveness
WACO, Texas — Eighty years ago, an 11-year-old African-American boy walked in the dark on an Alabama country road, listening for the sound of his uncle’s truck and waiting for a promised ride home. But someone else came along, and…
Scholars, pastor and bloggers muse about whether Christ was comical
The story goes that Jesus and Satan had argued for days about who was more tech-savvy, and God grew sick of the bickering. He told them he would judge a two-hour task set. They e-mailed, e-mailed with attachments, downloaded and…
Fredericksburg minister struggles with answers to questions of social justice
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Sarah Bush wrestles with big questions: Why do homelessness, hunger and poverty persist in the United States? Where can people in any of those situations turn for help? Bush, who serves as minister of congregational development at…
The secret’s in the songs: Musical choice reveals congregation’s theological position
WACO, Texas — Terry York is willing to bet that if he goes into a Baptist church, sits down and listens, he can tell — long before the preacher speaks — whether the congregation is theologically conservative or moderate. The…
Rock band’s gritty gospel, spiritual depth touch hearts
The intersection of faith and culture often looks less like a four-way stop and more like a mix-master. Faith-based messages have made frequent and bold appearances in film, music, art, theater and other forms of creative expression. This invites the…
Ministers likely to dismiss or deny needs of mentally ill, Baylor study reveals
WACO, Texas — With research consistently showing that clergy — not psychologists or other mental health experts — are the most common source of help sought in times of psychological distress, a recent Baylor University study has found ministers often…