By Bob Allen A woman whose call as a pastor in 2011 sparked controversy in an association of Baptist churches in North Carolina has resigned, citing a lack of consensus among members about the congregation’s vision and direction for the…
Okla. medical ministry to grow with grant
By Daniel Wallace It is about to become easier for the uninsured in Oklahoma City to receive primary health care. Good Shepherd Ministries, an extension of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, recently landed a $7.7 million grant that…
If you can say it to Jesus, you can say it to anyone
One of my mentors in the area of conflict mediation was Bill Treadwell. I loved that guy. I miss him. He had so much wisdom about how to deal with people in congregations. He was as much right-brained as I…
Aging pushes churches to fiscal brink
By Jeff Brumley Things were looking bleak for Orange Grove Baptist Church and its aging membership when Greg Shoemaker arrived as its pastor about a year ago. Located just north of Pascagoula, Miss., the congregation and community around it had…
Woman minister baptizes father
By Barbara Francis A baptism is always cause for celebration in a Baptist church, but Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., witnessed a rare spectacle recently when a daughter of the congregation returned to the baptistery where she was immersed…
The surrender principle
By Bill Wilson A striking phrase from Luke 9:51-53 describes Jesus as “turning his face toward Jerusalem.” This implies a resoluteness of intent and a high degree of commitment to a divine agenda. Nothing was going to dissuade Jesus from…
Steve Shoemaker resigns pulpit
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By Bob Allen The Charlotte Observer reported Feb. 20 that Stephen Shoemaker, senior minister at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., is resigning his pulpit in order to focus full-time on his recovery from depression. In his first sermon…
Church sold as members go missional
By Jeff Brumley They tried hiring a consultant, new worship styles, luring nonprofits as renters and seeking other churches for mergers. But each approach fell through for the roughly 50 aging members of Scott Boulevard Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. The congregation’s next step…
Let’s drop the kids at church and go get some coffee
In a recent conversation with leaders in a congregation they wondered about people who drop children off at church–particularly on Sunday mornings–and then go to a coffee shop to have some “alone time”. They indicated this was an increasing challenge in…