By Roger Lovette Most everyone has a Mama story. One of my favorites must have happened when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. My mother never had many advantages in life. Married at 16, she worked in a…
The real royals
By Derik Hamby Many folks were glued to their TV sets watching the events of the Royal Wedding. My 6-year-old daughter was amazed. She thought princes and princesses were only in her Disney movies. She said, “Daddy, I am going…
Embodied hallelujahs — an invitation to dance
By Angela Yarber Liker many ordained Baptist pastors, I recently guided my congregation during the seasons of Lent and Easter with spiritual disciplines, preaching, worship and baptism. This week I shout hallelujah with my body. I dance. Angela Yarber April…
An Easter PSA
By Elizabeth Evans Hagan There’s nothing like Easter Sunday to make folks happy. Songs and shouts of “Alleluias” fill our sanctuaries. People arrive dressed in their Easter best. Old and new friends alike are in the same room for a…
Lessons from storms past
By Barry Howard On Palm Sunday in 1994 a tornado touched down near Ragland, Ala., and cut a trail to Rome, Ga., demolishing hundreds of homes, destroying five church campuses and taking 29 lives before leaving that area. Entire communities…
The ‘Arab Spring’ and the future of American Christianity
By Jim Denison Since January, we have watched the wildfires of change sweep across the Arab world. What will be the result of this pro-democracy movement in coming months and years? What lessons for our churches can we learn from…
Resurrection perspectives
By R. Kevin Johnson Throughout the coming weeks, Christians around the world will continue to celebrate an exciting Easter season and the reality of the risen Christ. The scriptures used for worship and devotion during this time include Jesus’ physical…
‘Inerrantists’ aim to keep women ‘in their place’
By Naomi King Walker Any time the word “inerrancy” is mentioned with regard to the interpretation of Scripture, the subject of a “woman’s place” is never far behind. Whenever women challenge the status quo, it takes only a moment for…
Political salvation a dangerous aim
By David Gushee I am currently finishing a book on the sacredness of life — the idea that each and every human life is of equal and immeasurable worth in the sight of God. Tracing the history associated with this…
The Book, by any other name …
By Marv Knox Just before Sunday morning worship a few years ago, an associational director of missions sidled close to me so I alone could hear his important inquiry: “Do you intend to preach from the King James Version of…
Keep the chaplains
By Tony Cartledge Prison chaplains could soon be getting the ax in North Carolina, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Like their colleagues in other states, N.C. lawmakers are faced with a severe budget crunch, and some want…
Capital punishment is sin
By Roger Olson A controversy is raging over capital punishment in Texas — a state that executes upwards of 30 to 35 people (almost all men and disproportionately African-American and poor) annually. Most Texas Christians favor capital punishment…