By Susan Parker and Angela Yarber A few weeks ago we were invited to teach a class of clergy about North Carolina Amendment One, a measure on the ballot May 8 that would define marriage as only between one man…
Missionaries heading from East to West
By Vicki Brown The traditional view of missions is Western Christians sending missionaries to nations in the East and South, but these days missionary work is more of a two-way street, with missionaries coming from Africa, Asia and Latin America…
Ministry to new immigrants presents challenges, opportunities
By Ken Camp Waves of immigrants entering the United States are changing the face of home missions, noted the director of missions for a metropolitan association of Baptist churches in Texas. “Immigration is changing the face of America. People are…
Baptist agencies don’t recruit nationals for U.S. missionary service
By Vicki Brown Baptist missionary-sending agencies in the United States say they have no plans to recruit missionaries from other countries to reach out to people groups from those nations that have immigrated to America. While the Southern Baptist Convention…
Effective global missions demands multicultural partnerships
By Ken Camp Missions in the 21st century demands multicultural partnership, global missions researcher and author Patrick Johnstone insists. And pastors of some churches filled with first-generation immigrants agree. “Like it or not, we have a multicultural missions force that…
Ministry off the list
By Amy Butler On my desk I have an old-fashioned pad of paper on which I write, every day, all of the things I must accomplish. My list is a list of those tasks that hang over me — reports…
Engaging the stranger
By Bill Leonard As Advent turns to Christmas and the reality of a New Year looms, we revisit that often overlooked post-nativity saga portrayed by innumerable artists as “the flight to Egypt.” Matthew 2:12-14 says that after the Magi left…
Economy-driven worship?
By Bob Burroughs We are experiencing unprecedented times of financial strain. Everyone, every family, every business, every church is having difficulty meeting budget and/or making ends meet. People are being laid off by the thousands — with no end in…
The tired arms of ministers
By Bill Wilson A friend recently shared a daily devotion that pointed out the story in Exodus 17 regarding Moses’ arms. Remember? As long as Moses held his staff with his arms aloft, the Israelites prevailed in their battle with…