Now that the USA government shutdown is over–at least for a while–let’s reflect on the lessons churches can learn from the shutdown about conflict. Many of these are lessons of what not to do. These lessons are also politically neutral….
Why we ordain (even for women)
We are going to make history this Sunday at Augusta Heights Church in Greenville, SC. For the first time in the 63-year history of the church, we will celebrate the ordination of a woman, Debbie Roper, to the gospel ministry….
Ministries blending food and faith
By Jeff Brumley They say an army travels on its stomach. According to the proponents of “creation care,” the same can be said of the church. As they observe World Food Day today, those activists are reporting a dawning awareness…
Competing with big box churches
There’s a “big box” church in our town that’s all the rage. If you live anywhere in America that’s even slightly urban, there’s probably a big box church in your area as well. By “big box” I mean the kind…
Don’t forget about associate pastors
Last week I spoke to a group of associate pastors at a continuing education program with the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. This group of associates was very diverse demographically, but they all shared the same challenges. I started…
Baylor student gives life to stranger
By Jeff Brumley Retired maintenance worker Bill Allison of Puxico, Mo., was diagnosed with stage-four leukemia just over two years ago and, being in his 60s, was told his chances of finding a bone marrow donor were slim at best….
A committee-run church can be ugly
A ministry friend recently posted a request on Facebook for the job descriptions for church committees. That is a very legitimate request. If a church is going to have committees, those committees need to have a clear understanding of their…
Customer service and servant leadership
For the most part, I only think about “customer service” when I am the customer and on the receiving end of what I consider poor service. I will not elaborate here. Each of us has a collection of frustrating stories…
Life outside the fence
We humans don’t like living outside our comfort zone. We like familiar surroundings, familiar faces, and predictable routines. I’m just the same though to most folks it might look like my husband and I are already living outside of our…
Evangelism run amok
I fell for the trap and barely saw it coming. Got reeled in hook, line and sinker. And I should have known better. For several years, an anonymous emailer who portrays himself as a devout Roman Catholic has been taunting…
Retirement marks shift in CBF missions
By Jeff Brumley Arville and Shelia Earl have been eyewitnesses to the historic changes in missionary life the past three decades, first as Southern Baptists then as field personnel with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. But the shifts made possible by…
What you don’t know about Millennials
The Baby Boomer generation is often thought as the generation that worked hard, helped get us where we are, and was the backbone of the 20th century. Now that Baby Boomers are retiring, many have asked the question, “Who will…