By Amy Butler As a pastor, I have plenty occasion to pray, both in formal expressions like Sunday morning worship and the many casual occasions when someone says off-hand, “Let’s ask Amy to pray for us; she’s a pastor!” So…
Ministry can be a rat race, literally
By Amy Butler Few people know how truly glamorous it is to be a pastor. We sit around reading and praying most days, sipping coffee and thinking deep thoughts about the state of the world and God and things like…
Chilean miner credits God for rescue
By Kalie Lowrie Trapped in a mineshaft in Copiapó, Chile, in 2010 with 32 other miners, Jose Henriquez experienced firsthand God’s provision during 69 days of waiting and praying for rescue. “Without any doubt, the power of God has no…
Santorum gets prayer at Baptist church
By Bob Allen A Catholic presidential candidate received a prayer of blessing from a Southern Baptist mega-church during a campaign visit to Memphis. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., invited GOP hopeful Rick Santorum to the…
The 20-year war in Iraq
By Ken Sehested I don’t know what it was that penetrated my groggy reading of the Sunday morning paper, sitting at the kitchen table, the coffee maker’s final perks hacking like a smoker’s cough. Something, subliminally, coming from the radio…
Celebrate our missionaries
By Ricky Creech How blessed Baptists are to be known as a missionary people. I love missionaries. They are my heroes, not because they are superhuman or different from me, but because they sacrifice much every day for the cause…
Can we have2 a healthier search process?
By Bill Wilson An increasing part of my life is spent advising and coaching pastor search committees. A healthy search process requires great patience, spiritual maturity and hard work. Done well, it can lead to a season of hope and…
Attentiveness at Advent
By Daniel Vestal “Where have we discerned God at work in our midst?” The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship considers this question at the end of each monthly staff meeting. This time of reflection and sharing is usually the highlight of the…
A pastor’s prayer for parishioners
By Barry Howard Good and gracious God, I come to you praying for those who are members, formally or informally, in the congregation I serve. I pray for the young and the elderly, the sick and healthy, the employed and…