In downtown Nashville’s rapidly changing urban landscape, church buildings are among its most inert. The growing city — a veritable mecca of low taxes and bridesmaid parties — is peppered with ancient churches, many of which have seen better days….
Yes, violence is not the answer
Three days ago, as I arrived at the Nashville airport, I watched ICE agents detain a well-dressed Hispanic young man and disappear him through a side door as masses of travelers streamed by, no one stopping to notice what was…
People I met at the No Kings rally in Nashville
Since more than 80% of evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump in 2024, when seeking folks to interview at the June 14 No Kings protest in Nashville, Tenn., I sought those bearing religious-oriented posters to explore their perspectives. With several…
Historic Nashville Church Languishes Amid Lawsuits
For nearly 100 years, the Central Church of Christ preached the Gospel, welcomed the vulnerable and served the city. Now, the one-time downtown anchor faces litigation and a future full of uncertainty.
At Nashville’s Hands Off! rally, protesters explain diverse views
On Saturday April 5, at simultaneous events across the United States, tens of thousands gathered at more than 1,200 locations to oppose the policies of President Donald Trump, Project 2025 and the actions of Elon Musk and the Department of…
SBC may be heading toward settlement with Johnny Hunt, will sell building
Faced with millions of dollars in unbudgeted legal expenses related to sexual abuse investigations, defenses and settlements, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee will sell its downtown Nashville office building, which is valued at more than $30 million. While that…
The other epidemic: Fear
The more I read the news, the more I become convinced there’s another epidemic currently facing the nation. It seems to be particularly acute in churches right now, too. And while it’s an epidemic largely of our own making, it…
In the Nashville shooting, talk of gender and mental health interrupt the conversation about guns
Confusion over the gender identity of the Nashville school shooter has allowed some commentators to flip the script and blame mental illness, not guns, for the death of three 9-year-olds and three adults at Covenant Day School last week. U.S….
How we make a difference: Bit by bit, day by day
Not to name names, but someone with my same initials who lives at my house decided having three yards of compost delivered yesterday was a good idea. Undoubtedly, my veggies, herbs and flowers will appreciate this black gold. Unfortunately, it…
Holy Week cannot be about personal salvation and nothing more
They entered the city on March 24. Many came by foot. Some of them from the mount, not of Olives but the various mountains and hills that surround Nashville, Tenn. They came with modern palm branches — protest signs. The…
Holy Week 2023: When Golgotha came too early
For me, Palm Sunday didn’t work this year. In the liturgical calendar, Palm Sunday introduces Holy Week, a momentarily joyous prelude to the agony of Golgotha. Palm Sunday is supposed to give us hope that will strengthen us to walk…
Brentwood Benson Music announces sudden closing and the end of an era
The owner of the world’s largest Christian music publishing catalog is closing its business, citing the effects of COVID-19 as the reason. Brentwood Benson Music — which reportedly owns about 60,000 copyrights and is a storied Christian music business based…