By Marion Aldridge I have coined a new word: Churchcraft. What I mean by Churchcraft is an individual’s ability to say and do the things that will help to build the organized church. My observation is that a lack of…
Ministry and mental illness
By Kris Aaron Last week was an interesting one. On Wednesday, I met with a young man that had visited our church a few times. After answering a few basic questions about the church, I asked him to tell me…
Retooling your ministry: A necessary joy
By Jerrod Hugenot Around this time of year, we celebrate graduations. From kindergarten to grad school, family members gather round the graduate to affirm an achievement. Whether it is the high school graduation or the hooding of a newly minted…
The problem with gay marriage
By Kyle Caudle The recent story about a Southern Baptist pastor’s son coming out as gay has garnished quite a buzz in Baptist circles and beyond. On first glance this story did not seem especially newsworthy. After all, this is…
‘Can’t we just play nice?’
By Corey Fields “Look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church website. If you find it, run as fast as you can.” That was the advice of Glenn Beck to his radio show listeners on March…
Know thy neighbor
By Brandon Hudson The wave Recently as I was driving into the neighborhood of the church I serve, I realized I was behind one of my church members at the stop sign. I waved furiously, hoping that he would look…
As rockets fall
By Heather Mustain As I prepared myself for a recent family trip to the Holy Land, I made sure to do all the things which, as a missions minister, I preach to others preparing for any short-term experience: Study the…
Geeking out at a new hymnal
By Jerrod Hugenot Years ago, I remember watching Star Trek: The Next Generation where the Starfleet crew moved about the USS Enterprise with hand-held data pads (technically spelled “padds” on the show). From these pads, one could access the ship’s…
Latest ‘X-Men’ film sparks discussion of sin and human nature
By Michael Parnell The X-Men are unique in the superhero genre. They are hated and hunted, yet they do acts of heroism to save humanity. X-Men have powers because of genetic mutation. Some powers are concealed and the hero looks…
What Christians can learn during Ramadan
By Nell Green Ramadan begins on June 28th. Ramadan is the month when people who follow Islam fast from the time the sun comes up until it goes down. They do this for 30 days. Sometimes my Muslim friends laugh…
Ministers are not exempt
By Barry Howard Self-care includes developing and maintaining good physical, spiritual and mental health, a uniquely challenging but crucial discipline for a pastor. While these three areas of wellness are intertwined and inseparable, in my own life and the experience…
Why should you care about Southern Baptists’ drop in baptisms?
By George Bullard The first response of many people may be “I don’t care.” That’s fine. You have that right. But you ought to care. First, take note of the report that came out recently and was distributed by Baptist…