Hurricane Matthew is forcing churches from Florida to the Carolinas to practice flexibility. The folks at First Baptist Church in St. Simons Island, Ga., are an example of that. The congregation has been pushed to embrace the unknown since most…
CBF inks partnership with African-American denomination
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced a new partnership Oct. 5 with the National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc., seeking to build new bridges between predominantly black and white Baptist churches in the United States. CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter…
CBF ‘Illumination Project’ prepares for listening phase
An ad hoc committee appointed in July is getting ready to enter a phase of listening to diverse voices within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship on matters of human sexuality, according to a report of last week’s meeting of the CBF…
Common missionary and military lives prepared Baptist chaplains for marriage
As a couple, Jim and Jo Kirkendall take the concept of “having things in common” to a whole new level. Both grew up overseas as children of missionaries with the then-Foreign Mission Board. Both became Navy chaplains – and met…
How a prayer meeting ‘accidentally’ turned into an intentional Christian community
In some faith circles, the term “living in intentional community” is a buzz phrase akin to “being missional” or “doing life together.” But what does the practice actually entail? And are Christians called to do it? For many in the…
Mission work takes on legal dimensions for Va.-based field personnel
Mission work and ministry are taking on a dizzying array of new looks in the 21st century. Just ask Greg and Sue Smith, Baptist missionaries who spent years performing traditional mission work in Latin America before opening a ministry serving…
Can we talk about sexuality?
Can we talk about sexuality? Recently a pastor in Kansas has been challenging my school and me personally on our position concerning our faithfulness to Scripture concerning human sexuality. It reminds me of the sustained conversation in Southern Baptist life…
Latino funerals often foster Baptist and Catholic cooperation
Sermons in the United States are said to be getting shorter and shorter. Maybe. But that’s not the case for pastors officiating funerals for Latino Christians. “Oh yes, the preaching can last an hour,” said Ruben Ortiz, pastor of Primera Iglesia…
Missionary, daughter launch clothing line produced by refugees
There are the kinds of missionaries who translate the Bible into exotic languages, who hold revivals on faraway continents and who provide medical care and food for earthquake victims. And then there are the kind who launch and run businesses…