It was a job interview that no one involved knew was a job interview and yet resulted in decisions that continue to transform Touching Miami with Love, a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ministry that serves impoverished youth and families in South…
Who is that man in a clerical stole at the protest?
Jonathan Redding is a Baptist minister from North Carolina who teaches apocalyptic literature at a Methodist university in Lincoln, Neb. But arguably the most unusual aspect of his ministry is a calling to serve as a chaplain at Black Lives…
Adult faith formation thriving although different due to COVID
The coronavirus outbreak is inspiring Christians to take spiritual formation into their own hands — and that’s just fine with a lot of spiritual formation pastors. “People have pushed pause,” said Jayne Davis, associate pastor for discipleship at First Baptist…
The church is closed but the kitchen is open to serve
Coronavirus has closed church facilities across the country, but Temple Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., is not one of them. Since mid-March, the congregation has become the site of a five-day-a-week feeding effort that has assembled, bagged and distributed more…
Massachusetts church opens eyes despite closed building
As a minister, Brent Newberry always strives to discern congregational talents and how they can be used to bring healing and hope to a turbulent, virus-ridden world. “I am recognizing that whatever you’re good at as a church is accentuated…
East Coast dodges Isaias as disaster relief continues to evolve
The folks at Palmetto Missionary Baptist Church in Conway, S.C., were ready for just about anything Hurricane Isaias had to throw at them. “We’re so seasoned with hurricanes and tropical storms that most people pretty much stay ready,” Senior Pastor…
‘Mindful hypnotherapy’ cited as way to reduce stress and boost compassion
Baylor University researchers have discovered a new way to boost compassion and reduce stress by fusing mindfulness practice with hypnotherapy. An author of the five-year “mindful hypnotherapy” study conceded those terms may evoke images of exotic Eastern religions and magic…
Coronavirus complicates hurricane relief efforts by churches
If you think COVID-19 is nasty now, try riding out a natural disaster during the pandemic — or recovering from one. Faith-based disaster response officials describe nightmarish challenges imposed by the coronavirus on communities that have endured hurricanes and tornadoes…
As major employers, churches help the economy with PPP loans
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented American congregations with all manner of unprecedented decisions and dilemmas, including whether to accept government money to meet payrolls. But faced with decreased revenues, many churches have done just that — even while acknowledging the…