If they have ears to hear, Baptists in places like the United States’ Bible Belt, where Christianity is the norm, can learn lessons from Baptist minorities in other parts of the world, Baptist World Alliance leaders insist. Many Baptists in…
Humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy bolster Baptist witness
Aid and advocacy create a positive witness for Baptists globally, leaders of the Baptist World Alliance noted. When Raimundo Barreto, director of the BWA division of freedom and justice, was in Vietnam a couple of years ago, a government official…
Controversy underscores importance of theology in hymns
Worship leaders seldom welcome controversy. But some church musicians see value in the dust-up created earlier this year by a line in a hymn. The committee on congregational song for the Presbyterian Church, USA, wanted to include a version of…
What enables some worship songs to last for generations, others to disappear?
Some worship songs endure for centuries, while others stir the souls of one generation and leave others cold. What enables some songs to span centuries, cross denominational lines and contribute to the worship of multiple generations in diverse settings? “Hymns…
Singing our faith: Worship songs reflect and shape theology
When congregations join their hearts and voices in song any given Sunday, the choice of worship songs both reflect and shape their theology, church musicians agree. “I believe the music of a congregation will — or should — always reflect…
‘Churchy’ lingo turning off Millennials
(ABP) — If there were an 11th commandment, for Millennials it might be “thou shalt ban pious slogans from thy midst.” In fact, faith-based lingo — like “everything happens for a reason” and “God is in control” — is coming…
Lean on other Christians — It’s biblical
The Bible offers the key ingredient Christians — laypeople, ministers and church leaders alike — need to help them learn to lean upon one another. Each believer is a necessary and vital part of the body of Christ. Robert Creech,…
Why is it so hard for Christians to learn to lean on others?
The old hymn, Learning to Lean, encourages Christians to learn to lean on Jesus when they face life’s difficulties. Believers today emphasize being God’s hands and feet to minister to the world. But how many believers allow brothers and sisters…
Five suggestions for pastoral self-care
Charles Chandler, founder of the Ministering to Ministers Foundation, gives five suggestions of pastoral self-care. • Develop an informal feedback group within the congregation. Pastors should choose just a few that they can trust and whom other members talk to….