For some people, blogs are like a family reunion where people barely know each other. There's a lot of talking going on, but there's little agreement on much of anything. But for many of the increasing number of Baptist bloggers,…
Responding to the Luke 4 mandate
In increasing number of Christians are responding to global issues, noting biblical calls for such action. They commonly cite Luke 4:18-19 — when Jesus announced the inauguration of his public ministry by quoting an Old Testament passage about good news…
Time to revamp discipleship methods?
More than two decades after he helped many Baptist churches breathe new life into discipleship training, Roy Edgemon believes it's time take a new look at how churches make disciples. In the early 1980s, the Southern Baptist Convention's Sunday School…
Child killed in Mexico after accident with Baptist volunteers
DALLAS (ABP) — A Baptist team of volunteers on their way to feed flood victims in Southern Mexico accidentally killed a child in a traffic accident Nov. 15. Members of Texas Baptist Men, a men's missions organization, were driving through…
Historic sanctuaries: To be or not to be?
DALLAS—When maintaining a sanctuary with a long history, congregations must look long into the future, according to Keith Crouch, Baptist General Convention of Texas church architecture director. Spencer Elliott Calvary Baptist Church, New York City Decisions about maintaining a historic…
Ministry to children changes moms’ & dads’ lives, too
Children's pastors across the country continue to reach families by first reaching children. Parents—Christian and non-Christian alike—want what's best for their respective families, children's ministry leaders report. Parents want their children to be brought up correctly and loved in a…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—BGCT posts list of Baptist ministers who are registered sex offenders
DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas is providing a list registered sex offenders who were or are on staff at its affiliated churches. The Texas Baptist convention will post online at www.bgct.org/brokentrust the eight names of people in its file…
How can churches legally minister to illegal immigrants?
When the doorbell rings at many churches, a person in need may be standing in the doorway seeking some food, clothes, counseling or encouragement. If that individual is an undocumented immigrant, his presence presents legal and ethical issues many congregations…
Immigration laws have an impact on who a church can call as pastor or hire as staff
SAN ANTONIO—Claudia Munoz feels called to serve on church staff and is doing everything she can to prepare herself to fulfill that calling. She received a student visa and traveled from her home country of Chile to enroll at Baptist…