By Jeff Brumley Challenged by financial and membership declines, some congregations choose merger and some become satellite campuses while others sell to developers or simply close the doors and turn off the lights. Hillcrest Baptist Church in Mobile, Ala., chose…
Oklahoma church paves way on interfaith and missions
By Jeff Brumley Last fall, an Oklahoma Guardsman and member of a Baptist church met an Afghan doctor who had just immigrated to the United States after years interpreting for American combat troops. The soldier essentially adopted the Muslim man…
Finding the Christian response in the death of a congregation
By Jeff Brumley The death of a church isn’t an easy subject, particularly to those who are losing their spiritual home. But it is something being talked about more and more as church closings are becoming an increasingly regular occurrence…
Baptist church in Ohio hosts protest over killing
By Jeff Brumley The mother of a Cleveland, Ohio boy killed by police expressed gratitude for participants of a protest organized by a Baptist church. “The police murdered my son,” Samaria Rice said in a story published by the Columbus Dispatch….
Anonymous gift helps Va. church pay off mortgage, minister to African immigrants
By Jeff Brumley Christmas came early for Africa Lighthouse Baptist Temple in the form of an anonymous donation that will pay off the church mortgage. The donation to the Albemarle County, Va., congregation was discovered by a church staffer who…
Bellevue Baptist in Memphis evacuated, searched in police manhunt
By Jeff Brumley A pair of robbers being chased by police turned Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis into the scene of more than Christmas drama on Monday. According to media reports, the Southern Baptist Convention megachurch was evacuated and searched…
Nashville church, developer ‘disappointed’ over failed real estate deal
By Jeff Brumley No one speaking to the press reportedly understands why a proposed deal has fallen through between First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., and a developer of a hotel project. Neither side could explain why the multi-million-dollar deal…
Virginia church sees album as missional way to live its calling
By Jeff Brumley All Souls Charlottesville is a Baptist church in Virginia where ancient church practices are embraced, from focusing on hospitality and following the liturgical calendar to embracing creeds and celebrating the Eucharist. But spiritual formation took on a…
In a season of joy, services offer light to those grieving
By Jeff Brumley Christmas is typically depicted as a time of happiness and family togetherness. And for many people, that certainly is the case. But for many others, it isn’t. For them a recent death, divorce or job loss has…