A gay Christian told Baptists April 20 that whatever their views about homosexuality, churches can learn something from committed same-sex covenant relationships. Cody Sanders delivers a paper during a plenary session examing the boundaries of covenant. (CBF photos) Cody Sanders,…
Seeing and shooting
By Miguel De La Torre By now we are all familiar with the Feb. 26 tragic story surrounding the fatal shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch crime captain, “stood…
Plunging into poverty: Q&A
By Jeff Brumley San Antonio youth pastor Gavin Rogers is part of a trend of younger adults expressing a need to experience homelessness in order to better serve the homeless, says Neil Donovan, executive director of the National Coalition for…
Book says young Christians want more than politics
By Bob Allen Today’s young Christians aren’t interested in enlisting for the culture wars that created a brand of Christianity focused more on the ballot box than serving others, author and cultural commentator Jonathan Merritt says in a new book…
Why did Jesus have to die?
By Amy Butler Atonement just nags at me this time of year. Thanks to New Testament writers and thousands of years of church history, there are many different interpretations of Christ’s death as it relates to our salvation, probably as…
Baptist pastor featured in commercial critical of Alabama’s immigration law
By Bob Allen A Baptist pastor is featured in a new television commercial opposing Alabama’s immigration law unveiled by a group of Alabama clergy April 3. Steve Jones “We believe in reaching out and ministering to our community. Yet, under…
Churchnet builds collaboration
By Vicki Brown At a time when many denominations are waning, the head of a breakaway 10-year-old Baptist state convention in Missouri believes “genuine” collaboration will keep congregations working together. “The vision we have … is to try to create…
Attracting a new generation of leaders in ministry
By Lydia Hoyle When I was growing up, Christian ministers were widely held in high esteem. Although a few Elmer Gantrys may have been in the mix, churches and communities generally received their ministers with respect and honor. As a…
Chilean miner credits God for rescue
By Kalie Lowrie Trapped in a mineshaft in Copiapó, Chile, in 2010 with 32 other miners, Jose Henriquez experienced firsthand God’s provision during 69 days of waiting and praying for rescue. “Without any doubt, the power of God has no…