Social media is not going anywhere, at least not anytime soon. And more importantly, social media represents something much bigger regarding communication shifts. I recently received and responded to an email from a pastor regarding his social media concerns: Dear…
Church uses vandalism as social media message
What do church leaders usually do when someone vandalizes the side of a church with graffiti? Cover it up, repaint, or remove the vandalism. A church in Randolph, New York was recently vandalized with the words, “Can I still get into heaven…
Do churches operate on need-to-know?
By Vicki Brown Many churches have cut back the number of business meetings held each year. Some have scaled back publications — particularly mailed-out print versions. Some large churches with communications staff or a department have eliminated them or severely…
Twister response goes ecumenical
By Jeff Brumley If the deadly Oklahoma tornado has a silver lining, it may be the ecumenical spirit driving the response and recovery efforts of local churches, local ministers say. Local Baptist and other pastors describe an ongoing, cooperative effort…
My marriage fell apart the day the dog died
I am sure you’ve heard the old adage that married life begins again when the last child leaves home and the dog dies. Frequently I also hear people say they moved to a new house without a forwarding address so…
Responders wait as Okla. twister news unfolds
By Jeff Brumley If you’re already wondering how Baptists disaster-relief organizations are going to respond to today’s massive Oklahoma tornadoes, you’re not alone. Leaders of those groups are wondering, too. “We’re watching it on television like everyone else,” said Tommy…
Assn. drops church with accused pastor
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist church in Missouri whose pastor is awaiting trial on felony sex charges has been voted out of its local association for failure to report or contribute financially for the last two years. Lamine Baptist…
Historic church and black pastor part ways
By Bob Allen Jeffrey Haggray resigned April 8 as pastor of the 210-year-old First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., three years after his election as the congregation’s first African-American pastor was hailed as a meaningful step toward racial reconciliation. The…
Don’t call your next pastor. Draft your next pastor.
The pastor search process might be a whole lot more fun (or funny) if it was run like the National Football League draft. Why go through months—even years—of searching for the right pastor when you just need to be ready…
Paynter, ‘CBF 2.0’ visit Fla. gathering
By Jeff Brumley The promise from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida during its spring meeting Friday and Saturday was to “Re-vision, Re-Imagine, Renew” the Fellowship – and Suzii Paynter delivered. In light-hearted and serious moments, CBF’s new executive coordinator…
The Church Draft
As millions of football fans will undoubtedly will be glued to their televisions and social media, they will hunger for the latest information about NFL draft picks. The NFL draft is part pageantry and part celebration for football teams and their…
Can Christianity and evolution co-exist?
By Jeff Brumley A two-day conference beginning Sunday, April 21, in Dayton, Ohio, seeks to dispel the notion that science and faith are natural enemies and to prove that acceptance of evolution and the Big Bang theory are compatible with…