By Bob Burroughs Where were these words spoken? 1. “Greetings! How are you today?” 2. “Hello! I’m so very pleased you are with us today. How can I assist you?” 3. “I’m so glad you came in today. If there…
Are there good reasons to start new congregations?
A quarter of a century ago I moved to South Carolina in response to the call of the largest Baptist body in that state. Baptists of various tribes in South Carolina lacked a commitment to starting new congregations. I was…
Churches aid learning with food
By Bob Allen Before long, youngsters toting backpacks back and forth to school will be a common sight, but for about 40 students at Peck Elementary School in Greensboro, N.C., they will carry something more vital than just notebooks and…
Why pastor searches go awry
By Bill Wilson A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must…
Why pastor searches go awry
By Bill Wilson A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must…
VBS teaches kids young-earth creationism
By Bob Allen Dueling dinosaurs competed for attention this summer in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. This summer Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History – known locally as MOSH – is home for a traveling exhibit called “A T. rex named Sue.”…
Historic DC church severs SBC ties
By Bob Allen A 150-year-old church in downtown Washington, D.C., voted July 25 to disassociate from the Southern Baptist Convention. The vote by Calvary Baptist Church followed a letter last February sent to the SBC president at the time, Bryant…
Historic Mo. church calls woman pastor
By Bob Allen After nearly 200 years and 34 pastors, First Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., has called its first woman pastor. The prominent congregation jointly aligned with American Baptist Churches USA, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of…
Don’t forsake the old hymns
By Bob Burroughs I am becoming very burdened about what I am seeing, feeling and experiencing in worship these days in many churches. Things are different, even unusual, and for a lot of people, very uncomfortable. One such area is…