Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
When We Exclude Other Cultures from America’s Melting Pot
Instead of giving voice to their fears, many pretend or tolerate persons from other cultures. Sometimes, however, they speak those fears aloud. America is supposed to be a melting pot, but who’s in charge of the ingredients?
February 1, 2019
Metro Atlanta Church May Soon be on National List of Hate Groups (WSBTV) 20 Grads Reach Finish Line Before BTSR Closes its Doors (Baptist News Global) Proposed Bill Would Allow Study of Bible as Elective in Alabama...
Releasing The Reins
By: Ginger Hughes I watched my son ride horses recently, the reins held firmly in his small hands, his feet dangling on each side of the saddle nowhere close to reaching the stirrups. My dad, his “Papa”, walked...
From the Pews | When Church Budgets Sideline Our Mission
For many churches, January is full of discussions and negotiations about budgets. Instead of a time of renewal, it’s a time of uncertainty and tense conversations, affecting clergy’s ability to plan and lead.
Which Nations Best Protect Children from Sex Abuse, Exploitation?
Addressing the “largely silent epidemic” of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, a new report assessed 40 nations to determine how well they are protecting children.
Time for an Education About Myths of ‘School Choice’
School choice” sounds wonderfully appealing on the surface, but proponents don’t always share the facts and ramifications of their policies. Public education needs to be completely and generously funded and supported.
January 31, 2019
Sarah Sanders: God ‘Wanted Donald Trump to Become President’ (CNN) A Former Pastor of Trump’s Church Says he Never Say Him There (Huffington Post) Pelosi Praises Evangelicals in Address to Christian College Presidents,...
What’s next? Good reading!
By John D. Pierce Original content that stirs the mind and heart is the defining mark of Nurturing Faith Journal & Bible Studies. So don’t miss out on the upcoming March/April issue that hits mailboxes soon. The...
Profiles in Goodwill: Libby Mae Grammer
Libby Mae Grammer is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Martinsville, Virginia.
Fred Korematsu: The Civil Rights Hero You Never Knew
Fred Korematsu, born 100 years ago today, is increasingly becoming recognized as the civil rights hero he was. In 1942, he challenged the internment of 117,000 ethnic Japanese people, the majority of whom were U.S. citizens.
60% of U.S. Adults Affirm Climate Change Has Human Cause
The number of U.S. adults affirming that human actions are entirely or mostly responsible for climate change has increased to 60 percent, a report found.
January 30, 2019
First Baptist Church Winchester Opens Doors for Homeless to Stay Warm (Tennessean) Minneapolis Church Plans a Celebration for Beloved Poet Mary Oliver (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) Measles Outbreak in Washington State...
How Invested Are You in the Place God Planted You?
As so many of us live so much of our lives elsewhere, including virtually elsewhere, it’s easy to not notice the people who live closest to us. How invested are you in your community and your neighborhood?
What Your Church Can Learn from These 4 Presidents
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Leadership in Turbulent Times” focuses on how the difficulties faced by four U.S. presidents made them each a better person and leader. It offers a leadership lesson for your church.
Environmental Concerns Top Lists of Global Risks for 2019
Environmental concerns top the dual lists for global risks in 2019 from the World Economic Forum. For the first time, environmental concerns were designated as the top three likely risks.
January 29, 2019
Trump Tries to Turn His Poll Numbers Around by Pushing ‘Bible Literacy Classes’ (AlterNet) Trump Turns to Christian Nationalists When He Feels Vulnerable (Sojourners) Trump Insider Says Evangelical Advisers ‘Don’t...
When You Can’t See The Way
By: Ginger Hughes This afternoon, I took the kids to the local walking park to walk and ride bikes. It was starting to get cooler and the wind was picking up, so we decided to stay on the side of the path that gets...
The Parable of The Pack
Beware the Pack. For the Pack’s survival, the whole is to be protected at all costs, and collateral damage is an unfortunate byproduct. Step outside the tribe and retribution is swift and cruel.
Face-To-Face Encounters Require Understanding, Grace
Face-to-face encounters possess great potential for good or evil. Some like to stir the pot of public discourse; others seek greater understanding and fruitful dialogue. Christians should avoid the former and model the latter.
U.S. Catholic Confidence in Clergy Drops Significantly
Confidence of U.S. Catholics in Roman Catholic clergy’s honesty and ethics declined to a record low in 2018, Gallup found. Only 31 percent gave Catholic priests high or very high honesty and ethical standards.
January 28, 2019
21 Percent Tax on Church, Nonprofit Parking Spaces Creates Confusion in South Carolina (Charleston Post and Courier) Gods and Guns: Growing Number of Churches Want Armed Security (NBC News) Courts Say Anti-Abortion...