Wednesday morning, July 10th someone started two small fires inside Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. As of this writing fire officials are calling it arson and an investigation continues. The damage was small in economic cost; probably less than…
The gift of a ministry of presence
It was impossible to go to all of the breakout sessions at the CBF General Assembly in June. Because of this, my wife and I chose sessions that would be most applicable to us as a pastoral couple getting ready…
The church and Kanye West
By Amy Butler The church could learn a lot from Kanye West. This might seem a novel idea both to churchy folks and to Kanye, but humor me. There is much worry these days about the future of the church…
The church and Kanye West
By Amy Butler The church could learn a lot from Kanye West. This might seem a novel idea both to churchy folks and to Kanye, but humor me. There is much worry these days about the future of the church…
The currency of God’s kingdom
The Currency of God’s Kingdom 1 John 5:1-6 In the past, I have volunteered as a coach for various YMCA youth sports teams. The last team that I coached was a K-1st grade soccer team. In the YMCA league, they…
Third-pig thinking
By Bill Wilson Remember the story of the Three Little Pigs? Sent out by their mother to make their way in the world, they live in fear of the Big Bad Wolf. Their first order of business is to build…
Christian views on violence vary
By Ken Camp Debates about gun violence stir strong emotions, and Christians hold varied views on the meaning of the Bible’s mandate to “seek peace and pursue it” in Psalms. Some call for increased gun control, while others feel a…
Preaching on violence peacefully
By Ken Camp How can pastors preach on subjects like gun violence without disturbing the peace in their own congregations? “Pastors always tread the tightrope of a prophetic role and that of pastoral care,” said Terry Rosell, ethicist and professor…
How do we welcome people to the church?
During my ministry, I have visited a number of churches and not always as the supply preacher or in an “official” role. Often I have just dropped in on a worship service and have experienced how a church welcomes (or…
Getting straight about that serpent-dove thing
Most readers of this blog would identify as moderate Baptists who view their more ideological brothers and sisters as well-intentioned, but misguided, extremists. Moderates are sensible mediators between extremes who eschew both conservative and liberal forms of group-think, political correctness,…
Change happens
By Bill Wilson Are you tired of the doomsday rhetoric about the church in America? Have you noticed that the bandwagon of those predicting the imminent demise of congregational life is filled to capacity? Are you ready to tune out…
Change happens
By Bill Wilson Are you tired of the doomsday rhetoric about the church in America? Have you noticed that the bandwagon of those predicting the imminent demise of congregational life is filled to capacity? Are you ready to tune out…