By Molly T. Marshall A visitor showed up at church a couple of weeks ago unannounced. She had recently begun to rear her very young grandchildren, in addition to the young girl she had adopted, and wanted them to receive…
Alabama coffee shop fills ministry need
By Jeff Brumley Missional ministry usually involves a church searching beyond its four walls for ways to tackle the pressing needs of its community. Usually. “I agree with the whole missional concept,” said Mart Gray, pastor of Covenant Community Church…
‘Coaching bug’ gaining in Baptist life
By Jeff Brumley Courtney Krueger is so excited about ministry coaching that he can barely contain himself when asked about it. “It has opened a whole new world to me,” said Krueger, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of…
Church visits firefighters on 9-11 date
By Jeff Brumley Sometimes, being “missional” means developing innovative ministries and programs that push churches out of buildings into their communities. At other times it just means paying attention to the calendar. Susan Rogers and her congregation at The Well…
Three responses to 9/11 grief
Eleven years ago on September 11, I was in college. I was getting out of a Tuesday morning class when I heard people talking about an airplane crash. As I walked back to my apartment, I heard more and more…
The drawing board
When I was discerning the next step in terms of pursuing vocational ministry, a kind pastor friend suggested that I keep a notebook with me at all times. Strange advice to one just considering going to seminary, I thought. He…
Anyone for a little ‘tarof’?
I confess that I miss the back fence neighbors we had in South Carolina. On each side of us, all you had to do was walk out the door and there was someone ready to offer a smile, a chat,…
Tweet this, Facebook that
What is my life worth? Is it all based on the perception of “friends” who read my posts on Facebook? Do I need to be sure they know how I really feel about my Lord or politics? And, what if…
Are there good reasons to start new congregations?
A quarter of a century ago I moved to South Carolina in response to the call of the largest Baptist body in that state. Baptists of various tribes in South Carolina lacked a commitment to starting new congregations. I was…