Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
June 27, 2019
There are Really Two Distinct White Working Classes. One Predominantly Self-Identifies as Christian. (New York Time) Evangelical Divide Explodes Over Migrant Children After Jerry Falwell Jr. Slams Russell Moore...
Profiles in Goodwill: Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson is senior pastor of Central Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
Why You Can’t Love the Sinner but Hate the Sin – Part 2
While certain Christians have justified inaccurate views of Islam and unjust attitudes and actions toward Muslims, the attitude of Jesus toward Samaritans provides the ultimate model for how to deal with the religious other.
Support Grows in U.S. for Religiously Based Service Refusals
A growing number of U.S. adults believe small-business owners should be able to refuse service based on their religious beliefs, a report found, with white Protestants substantially more likely to support such refusals.
June 26, 2019
The Justice Department Has Turned ‘Religious Liberty’ into a License to Discriminate (USA Today) Austin Mayor Will Broaden City Prayer to Include Poetry, Meditation (Austin Statesman) Alabama Car Dealership Offering...
Behind the Bars | 7 Ways You Can Remember Those in Prison
Even though Scripture tells us to remember the prisoners, the church has washed their hands of that command. How do we turn that around? Here are 7 ways you and your church can begin to remember those in prison.
Why You Can’t Love the Sinner but Hate the Sin – Part 1
As hate crimes against Muslims increase at an alarming rate, some Christians imagine behind every Muslim is an intolerant combatant who wants to force his will on them. The love they claim for their Muslim neighbors is problematic.
State Department Report Documents Religious Freedom Violations
Noting a few positive examples of steps taken to promote religious freedom in 2018, an annual government report on religious freedom focused largely on violations of the right to exercise faith freely and without fear.
June 25, 2019
Knox County Commission Denounces Hate After Detective and Baptist Pastor’s Anti-LGBTQ Sermon (Knoxville News Sentinel) Baxley Challenges Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to Daring Faith and Greater Giving (Baptist...
Know better
By John D. Pierce Reading Nurturing Faith Journal has many benefits — with the overarching advantage of gaining understanding around the many issues impacting thoughtful and faithful daily living. The latest issue...
Debunking the Ideologies of Violent Religious Extremists
While people of faith, for the most part, should not be held responsible for the violence of some who claim to belong to their group, they do bear responsibility to fight and debunk these ideologies.
Why Many Still See the World Through Race-Colored Glasses
Do you see the world through race-colored glasses? Many folks rely on race to survive in the world around them. They can’t understand the world without its prejudices. If this is how you feel, I understand. I’ve been there.
Retired Baptist Ministers in UK Worshipping in Anglican Churches
Many retired Baptist ministers in the United Kingdom have chosen to worship in Anglican churches. Despite the theological differences between the denominations, most ministers found the transition relatively easy.
June 24, 2019
Cooperative Baptists ‘Different Kind of Baptist,’ Meet in Birmingham (AL.com) Southern Baptist Leader Allegedly Told Woman Her Rape Was a ‘Good Thing,’ According to Lawsuit (New York Daily News) Jules Woodson Pushes...
Dealing with Br’er Briar
The first stories I can remember hearing as a child were from Joel Chandler Harris' collection of African American folktales as told by a fictional character known as Uncle Remus. Harris became a respected journalist...
Rightfully wrong
By John D. Pierce Shortly after the formation of the more open and historically principled Cooperative Baptist Fellowship nearly three decades ago, some naysayers were quick to predict its demise. It was popular during...
Practicing Healthy Self-Care: An Essential Discipline for Your Pastor
Stress, burnout and mental fatigue are causing even some of the most devout ministers to leave ministry. In particular, ministers must practice good mental health. These 5 areas will stress a pastor’s mental and emotional health.
Fake News Represents ‘Big Problem’ in US, 50% Say
Half of U.S. adults believe fake news and information “is a very big problem in the country today,” reports said, ranking fifth on a list of 11 issues, including drug addiction and affordable health care.
Can We Implement the Radical Economics of Scripture?
Our economic system is fundamentally unjust and unjustifiable, allowing the wealthy to accumulate even more while many others struggle to meet the basic needs of life. Can we reimagine a more just economics?
Cultivating 6 Spiritual Ecosystems for the Future
Faced with shrinking resources and dwindling loyalty, many denominational entities have settled into survival mode. However, we can still cultivate future spiritual ecosystems from the incubator of history. Here are 6.
Undocumented Immigration Declines; Mexicans No Longer Majority
After reaching a peak of 12.2 million in 2007, the annual number of undocumented immigrants entering the U.S. declined by nearly 2 million over the last decade, a Pew analysis found.