Two hundred faith leaders, including some luminaries of progressive Christianity, have signed a new statement on Christian faith and democracy calling for renewed attention to eight key principles. “The United States confronts a crisis of democracy, and the American church…
Do I belong here? A first timer reflects on the CBF General Assembly
As a first timer to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, I was new to name tag ribbons. After checking in, I paused with my name tag at the table strewn with colors, examining the various identities like “Chaplain,” “El Familia” and…
At this Baptist gathering, there will be no debate about women preaching
The national media won’t be on hand, and there aren’t likely to be hot debates over women in ministry when the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship gathers in Atlanta next week for its General Assembly. The largest of two breakaway groups from…
Great Rivers Fellowship names Caldwell, McNary as first staff leaders
Great Rivers Fellowship, a new Cooperative Baptist Fellowship regional organization formed by the merger of CBF units in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, has elected its first staff leaders. Mississippi native Brittany Caldwell, a program coordinator and pastor who most recently…
Who’ll bring the sackcloth and ashes to CBF General Assembly this week?
“Think they’ll have everyone wear sackcloth and ashes at CBF General Assembly this year?” I texted those words to a fellow Baptist clergywoman after reading the State of Women in Baptist Life report. I wasn’t kidding either. I desperately want…
CBF names two search teams for key staff openings
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has named two eight-members teams to search for key staff members. One team will identify needed leadership gifts and structures for the future of CBF Global Missions and serve as a search committee for a coordinator…
CBF Governing Board creates special teams related to Global Missions and congregational ministries positions
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Governing Board voted unanimously Jan. 28 to establish a transition team to conduct a search for the organization’s next Global Missions coordinator to succeed Steven Porter. Porter, who has led the ministry since 2014, on Jan….
Porter stepping down from CBF Global Missions
Steven Porter has announced his resignation as coordinator of Global Missions for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, citing “a stirring toward writing projects and a more direct ministry engagement than the administrative and travel demands of my present role allow.” Porter,…
Three-state merger hailed as transformative by CBF leaders
The planned merger of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship state groups in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi will benefit poverty, food insecurity and anti-racism ministries well beyond that region, CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley said. “The oldest Together for Hope sites are in…