Recalling an event that happened more than 30 years ago, I can still remember the icy cold feeling in the pit of my stomach. My wife, Connie, and I were enjoying a very rare Friday evening away from church activities….
LEADERSHIP LINK: Are you sure you want to grow?
If deacons were surveyed, they would almost universally say they want people to join their churches. After all, reaching new people is one of our basic tenants as Baptists. We give much effort and even more lipservice to reaching new…
EDITORIAL: Celebrating what never happened
Dear Jimmy, Well, it’s Sunday afternoon and I am bone-tired and the cause of my weariness was the big doin’s at our little Bluebell Baptist on Saturday. Jim White You might remember Boney and Vera Mae Taylor who have been…
EDITORIAL: WMUV continues ministry to Native Americans
While the GOP and the Democrats continue their on-going debate about the role of government in easing the plight of the poor, Women’s Missionary Union of Virginia has steadfastly continued ministry to some of our nation’s poorest people. Through the…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Blessed are the church leaders who make peace in their own congregations: Part 4
In three previous articles, we examined characteristics of Jesus that made him ideally suited to make peace and sought in the life of the early church examples of dealing with conflict. In this final article in the series, we will…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Blessed are the church leaders who make peace in their own congregations: Part 3
Church leaders have a responsibility not only to effectively manage conflict when it arises, but to promote peace and good congregational health. Stated one way, church leaders seek to prevent conflict. Stated more positively and forcefully, however, church leaders need…
EDITORIAL: Just another campaign?
Editor's Note: This editorial includes two clarifying paragraphs (italized below) added after its original publication. This varies from the version in the print edition dated Sept. 3. By casting their votes Tuesday evening at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, delegates…
EDITORIAL: New controversy in the SBC?
According to research done by LifeWay and others, the next big controversy in Baptist life will be over Reformed theology, popularly called “Calvinism.” Southern Baptist Convention leadership has become concerned enough to hold a conference on the topic on Aug….
EDITORIAL: It’s time for the dreaded ‘talk’
Like a procrastinating parent reluctant to have “the talk,” I’ve been putting off a conversation I knew we needed to have. It’s the old “good news-bad news” conundrum. First, the bad news: Beginning October 1, we are having to raise…