Churches can talk about polarizing topics — even politics — if they enter those conversations seeking transformation rather than conformity, church consultant Matt Cook told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in St. Louis June 26. Cook, director…
What’s the best thing to say to a person facing a tough time?
Many people struggle with knowing how to support others who are enduring tough times, but empathy — the kind, thoughtful key to that support — can be learned, Christy Edwards told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in…
From Hamilton to subversive justice
When Baptist News Global Executive Director Mark Wingfield asked me five years ago if he could publish my piece comparing King George in Hamilton to Calvinism’s God, I had no idea the opportunities his invitation would bring me. One of my favorite…
Dissent against injustice inflicted upon ‘the least of these,’ García warns
“Dissent against any ideology that seeks to replace Christ … with political power, nationalism, lies or fear,” outgoing Moderator Juan García urged the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship during its annual General Assembly in St. Louis June 26. “As true Baptists, we…
The time is now to preach justice, Blackmon urges CBF
“Now is the time” to proclaim a gospel that sets people free, activist and theologian Traci D. Blackmon told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice Trailblazer luncheon June 25 in St. Louis. The annual event…
CBF ratifies downsized budget, elects slate of new leaders
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship adopted a downsized budget and elected new leaders during its General Assembly in St. Louis June 24-26. The 2025-26 budget — which takes effect when CBF’s fiscal year begins Aug. 1 — calls for expenditures of…
Courage and dignity needed in fight for equality, Raushenbush says
The church must demonstrate courage, demand dignity and fight for equality as attacks against religious freedom and LGBTQ people spread throughout the nation, Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush said. “The root of the word ‘courage’ is ‘cor,’ or heart,” he…
Find purpose beyond church growth or decline, Burge urges CBF
“Your church probably is not growing, and that’s OK,” Ryan Burge, a leading analyst of politics and religion, told a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship gathering June 24 in St. Louis. But that doesn’t signal a cause for apathy or despair, he…
Raushenbush will keynote BNG/AWAB breakfast in St. Louis
Baptist News Global and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists will co-sponsor a breakfast featuring Paul Raushenbush during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly this June. Raushenbush, an ordained Baptist minister, leads Interfaith Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based group founded…
Do I belong here? A first timer reflects on the CBF General Assembly
As a first timer to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, I was new to name tag ribbons. After checking in, I paused with my name tag at the table strewn with colors, examining the various identities like “Chaplain,” “El Familia” and…
Religious freedom has been ‘white too long,’ BJC speakers declare
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and its new Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation are urgently needed to counter the white supremacy menacing religious liberty for all in the United States, scholar and Baptist minister Adam Bond said. They…
Historians Bond and Brekus to headline upcoming BJC events
Two historians will headline upcoming events sponsored by Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Catherine Brekus, the Charles Warren Professor of the History of Religion in America at Harvard Divinity School, will give BJC’s annual Walter B. and Kay W….