Why Churches Must Take the Right Kind of Risks

by | Jun 24, 2016 | Opinion

The word “risk” carries differing meanings for congregations. Appropriately, churches need to talk honestly and always about the need for “risk management,” particularly as congregations must have processes that protect minors from abuse and...

Even as Congregations End, the Church Continues

by | May 27, 2016 | Opinion

I worked previously at a Cokesbury Bookstore located on the campus of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. A smaller store than most Cokesbury-owned stores, we had a lot of customers who sought out the specialist books carried in a more “academic” type...

Why Women Matter in Church Leadership

by | May 2, 2016 | Opinion

It was a beautiful night under the stars. A group of us stood at a place overlooking the city of Budapest in Hungary. Our host, a local Baptist minister, took our Ottawa University choir group on a tour of the city, regaling us with stories and a wonderful meal. You...

Glossing Over Pain and Loss Leading Up to Easter

by | Mar 22, 2016 | Opinion

I visited a congregation in New York’s Adirondack Mountains recently for a conversation about pastoral transition. As I got out of my car, I looked around at the old graveyard surrounding the church building and snapped a quick photo with my iPhone. Something...