Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
February 8, 2019
U.S. Nuns Urge Changes to Church Structure to Address Abuse (Associated Press) Trump Stumbles Through a Prayer Breakfast with Evangelicals (Daily Mail) An Online Subculture Culture Celebrating the Charleston Church...
Getting Beyond the Divide on Abortion: Is Listening the Key?
In our patriarchal society, men often try to commandeer the debate concerning abortion and women’s health. We men need to listen to women with open ears and open hearts. Here are 5 ways to do that.
Churches Seeking Senior Pastors Cast Nets Toward Associates
A new trend is emerging among churches seeking senior pastors. Pastor search committees are discovering that experienced associate pastors and ministry residents are prime candidates for their consideration.
‘Hector’
Difficult to watch at times, “Hector” is a gritty and moving road-movie about a homeless man traveling from Scotland to London for Christmas – a powerful reminder about the tragic story that lies behind many people’s homelessness.
February 7, 2019
How Highly Religious Americans View Evolution Depends on How They’re Asked About It (Pew Research) The Rise of the Star-Studded, Instagram-Friendly Evangelical Church (Vox) Judge Says Feds Can Survey South Texas Church...
Profiles in Goodwill: Mickey Robertson
Mickey Robertson is pastor of Elk Creek Baptist Church in Mineral, Virginia.
When a GOP Senator Prophetically Spoke Truth to Power
As many evangelicals perpetuate Christian nationalism and seek access to political power today, they should recall the courageous stance of a Christian and GOP senator who prophetically spoke truth to power in 1973.
When You Think Only of Yourself, That’s When the Snake Bites
Too many folks – families, churches, communities, even nations – believe other people’s problems are not their concern, but such tribalism leaves them in peril. One day, the snake will bite.
February 6, 2019
To Stay Competitive, Small Christian Colleges Emphasize Specific Niches (Chronicle of Higher Education) What a Hundred-Year-Old Department Store Can Tell us About Religion Today (Smithsonian Magazine) Could Sunday...
How to Use Your Wealth: Protecting Status or Aiding Common Good?
Wealth is a given in society, so how should you use it? You can protect your privileged status and accumulate more wealth for yourself. Or you can leverage it to serve the urgent needs of our common life.
Emerging Voices | For the Love of God, Stop Littering Social Media with Fake News
The world needs to see that truth still matters; that truth is still truth. However, when Christians litter their social media posts with fake news, why would anyone believe the truth of the gospel they proclaim?
Small But Mighty: Albanian Baptists Defy the Odds
Once declared an atheist state, Albania today is ripe spiritually yet poverty-stricken. While the Baptist Union of Albania is one of the smallest in Europe, its 250 members are focused on missions.
February 5, 2019
Muslim, Jewish College Presidents Focus on Common Goals with Christian Educators (RNS) CBF Executive Coordinator-elect Meets the Press (Baptist News Global) Texas Church Massacre Victims Can Sue Store Where Bought Gun,...
New CBF coordinator sees “bright and beautiful future”
By John D. Pierce ATLANTA, Ga. — Paul Baxley said his calling to serve as the fourth executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) “came most unexpectedly.” The pastor of the First Baptist Church of...
The Reason That Immigrants ‘Don’t Just Come Here Legally’
“Why don’t they just come here legally?” It’s a common question about undocumented immigrants in the U.S., but what sounds simple is incredibly complex, extremely exclusive and very expensive.
Emerging Voices | Should Your Church Display the U.S. Flag?
There’s a time and place for honoring the U.S. flag, but church is for worshipping God alone. Pastors who want to remove the flag from the sanctuary often face angry members, raising serious concerns about idolatry.
Religious Involvement Linked to Greater Happiness, Civic Engagement
In more than two-thirds of the nations surveyed, people who attend a religious gathering at least monthly reported being “very happy” and were engaged in civic life at higher rates than those who didn’t, a report found.
February 4, 2019
Baptist Groups Join Coalition Opposing ‘Project Blitz’ Playbook for Pro-Christian Legislation (Baptist News Global) Christian University Blocks Ben Shapiro from Speaking (The Hill) Hashtag Stirs Debate About Role of...
SUPERPOWERS WITHIN: Pavlovitz irreverently pushes readers from dismay to hope
By John D. Pierce When pulling John Pavlovitz’ new book from a FedEx envelope, my first thought was: “Hmm, this is the only book I’ve received with ‘butt-kicking’ in the title.” OK, it’s in the subtitle — but still....
Look Back | Why It Matters to Have Female Pastors
Women preaching aligns with Scripture and invites us to be more fully the body of Christ. Hearing different voices can spark the congregation’s imagination and sense of calling, particularly in the lives of young women.
Human Sexuality Tops List of Subjects U.S. Clergy Struggle to Address
U.S. clergy most frequently cited matters related to human sexuality when asked what they feel limited and what they feel pressured to address, a study found.