“People of different faiths, like yours and mine, sometimes wonder where we can meet in common purpose, when there are so many differences in creed and theology. Surely the answer is that we can meet in service, in shared moral…
In unprecedented move, one person to lead both Virginia’s black, white Baptist conventions
RICHMOND, Va.—In an unprecedented move, the president of Virginia’s oldest predominantly white Baptist convention also has been elected the top officer in the state’s oldest historically black Baptist convention. Mark Croston, pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va.,…
OUT LOUD
“One of the big points of dialogue is ‘how will the mitre fit over my dreadlocks?’” Justin Duckworth The recently-appointed and unconventional Anglican bishop of Wellington, New Zealand, has dreadlocks and is usually seen around town in shorts and bare…
Urban churches embrace their in-town context
Eighty percent of success is showing up, Woody Allen once famously said. Paraphrasing the film director’s wit, increasing numbers of downtown churches have discovered that a high percentage of successful ministry is staying put. Committed to “blooming where they’re planted,”…
Your church has committed to staying put. Now what?
Choosing to remain in its downtown setting may be one of the most significant decisions a church makes. But that’s not the end of the story, according to pastors of several central city congregations, who suggested several next steps. •…
Clear identity is crucial for churches engaging downtown ministry
Clarifying its identity is essential for a church committed to remaining in a downtown setting, congregational consultants and pastors of vibrant in-town churches observe. “I think the most important question a congregation can ask is: Who is God calling us…
OUT LOUD
“Christianity is a faith and not a musical genre.” Chad Butler The drummer in the band Switchfoot was discussing with the Dallas Observer the group's reluctance to describe themselves as a “Christian band.” “An alternate name and the election of…
‘Confusing’ BGAV budget needs clarifying, say leaders
RICHMOND, Va.—The Baptist General Association of Virginia’s budget has become an overly complex and unwieldy document that needs to be recast to more clearly articulate the BGAV’s mission priorities, three top BGAV leaders said April 17. In addition, allocations for…
Organizations step into role of curriculum publishers
Local congregations aren’t alone in discovering that developing Christian education resources can meet a critical need. Other organizations have expanded their missions to include creating Bible study materials. Both the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Nashville, Tenn.-based Baptist…