The aim of the ecumenical process was not to merge Baptists and Methodists into one large institution but to enable the two traditions to bring their different gifts to bear in a common way that benefits society.
TV news career prepared pastor for hectic ministry life
The directors of television newscasts lead intense, even frantic professional lives. They work long, caffeinated hours weaving together the up-to-the-minute contributions of producers, photographers and anchors into — they hope — coherent broadcasts. It’s much the same as shepherding a congregation, says Erica Van Brakle, a veteran of TV news production-turned-American Baptist pastor.
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Plans underway for the Alliance of Baptists’ 2018 Annual Gathering
By Toya Richards Alliance members and supporters from near and far will unite under the theme “Earth: Beloved Community” at the 2018 Annual Gathering set for April 26-29 in Dayton, Ohio. Registration is open! “We are excited about once again…
Folksy Quaker author bringing ‘front porch’ wisdom to historic Baptist church
Even Quakers are experiencing the cultural challenges besetting many Christian groups. But that doesn’t worry them too much, said Quaker pastor, writer and speaker Philip Gulley. “I don’t think the goal of Christianity should be its ongoingness,” said Gulley, author…
‘Pilgrim’ identity is Baptists’ gift to the larger church, new book asserts
Baptists tend to be the “problem children” of the ecumenical movement but have gifts both to give and receive from the broader Christian community, a Baptist theologian who teaches in the school of divinity at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs,…
Baptists excited and hopeful about papal visit
By Jeff Brumley Think Catholics are pumped about Pope Francis’ U.S. visit this week? Turns out some Baptists are pretty excited, too. And those who aren’t, probably should be for a number of reasons, said Curtis Freeman. One reason is…
Baptists represented at ecumenical gathering on believers’ baptism
By Bob Allen Baptists remain convinced that baptizing believers upon their profession of faith is the pattern most clearly attested to in Scripture and a guide for those seeking to practice “New Testament Christianity,” according to a presentation at a…
French woman represents Baptists at Catholic synod
By Bob Allen A French woman who attended the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family as a fraternal delegate for the Baptist World Alliance says she found common ground between Baptists and Catholics in issues like care for the…
New book proposes a theology for ‘other’ Baptists
By Bob Allen Four centuries after originating as a protest movement within the church, Baptists today have evolved into a distinct sect committed to preserving its place in a hierarchy of denominations, Baptist theologian Curtis Freeman argues in a new…
A Buddhist, a Jew and a Christian walk into a room …
By Molly T. Marshall This sounds like the beginning of a bad joke! Variations of the rabbi, priest and pastor combinations usually serve to show perspectival bias and good humor about discrete traditions, especially in the way they are caricatured….
All denominations should care baptisms are down among Southern Baptists
The first response of many people may be “I don’t care”. That’s fine. You have that right. But you ought to care. More about that later. Keep reading. Why Are Baptisms Down Among Southern Baptist Churches? First, take note of…
BWA aims to overcome barriers in talks with Methodists
By Robert Dilday They’ve engaged in dialog with Pentecostals, Catholics and the Orthodox. Now the Baptist World Alliance is launching a four-year conversation with Methodists as part of its assigned task of enhancing understanding among Christian communities. This Thursday, BWA…