Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Witnessing on Election Day
In the volatile and often virulent political climate of this election cycle, followers of Jesus would do well to remember times for quiet, peaceful and graceful witness. Already, there have been some problems with...
21st-Century Churches Adjust Missions Giving
Many churches have taken control of missions rather than delegating this task to someone else. One such church newsletter came in the mail today that included the church's proposed 2009 budget. The item that stood out...
The Death—and Rebirth—of a Newspaper
The Christian Science Monitor will celebrate its 100th birthday as a newspaper by ... going out of print. Not out of business, but out of print. In April 2009, The Christian Science Monitor will become the first daily...
Praise the Lord and pass the beans
Hallelujah, the end of our interminable two-year election season is in sight. Within a week, those surly, scary, scurrilous negative campaign ads will be consigned to the dustbin of dirty tricks, where they've belonged...
The Most Important Thing Jesus Said
A bunch of Pharisees descend on Jesus, trying to trick him into giving a wrong answer. This is "gotcha" journalism, first-century style. Seeing an opening, a bunch of Pharisees descend on Jesus, also trying to trick...
Failed Leaders Turn From God
Those in leadership roles are most often already burning the candle at both ends. This constant being on the run results not only in physical fatigue, but also mental and spiritual fatigue. Fatigue is something that...
New NEA President Wants Partnership with Churches
Regarding criticism of the current educational system, Van Roekel said: "We need to change that system. I don't want to tinker with that system. I don't want to fix it. I want to change it." "One, you couldn't swear....
David’s Advice for Presidential Candidates: Part Two
The David we find in 2 Samuel 11-20 is a man who loses focus, loses his leadership ability, and ultimately loses both his kingdom and much of his legacy. Unfortunately, as Paul Harvey would say, there's "the rest of...
If Hindus Threaten Christians, the World Is Lost
We need a movement that will stand up to the god-inflamed madness that takes over the hearts and minds of millions, and hold up the idea of human dignity and the worth and sanctity of every human being. Not an...
Vote Twice, at Least
Our county has such immense power, influence, and control over the lives of other nations and peoples that it would be unjust and irresponsible for individual Americans to vote only on their own self-identity and self...
Intentional dishonesty or irrational fear?
The possibility (or probability as some polls suggest) that Sen. Barack Obama will be the next U.S. president has some fundamentalist Christian leaders predicting gloom, doom and some very strange other stuff.According...
Rest for the soul
In the southeast corner of North Carolina, there is a small community named Northwest. On the outskirts of that community lives a dear lady who owns the pond of my dreams.This past weekend, while I was in the area for...
David’s Advice for Presidential Candidates: Part One
Could our current presidential candidates learn anything from the biblical example of David, either before or after he became king? A recent invitation to lecture on "David and Leadership" for the Smoky Mountain...
Halloween As Prelude to Christmas Demise
Halloween serves as a warning to those Christians who would gladly give over the particulars of their faith into the hands of culture. It is interesting to notice the many different responses the holiday provokes. For...
La. Governor Used State Funds to Attend Churches
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has been criticized for spending tens of thousands of dollars of state funds on helicopter flights to attend church services. At least one visit was to a Southern Baptist church where Jindal...
Lessons from bad leadership
In my last post, I suggested seven positive leadership lessons the current presidential candidates could gain from a study of David's rise to power in Israel (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 10, 21-24). While David was on his way...
Carter connects ‘generations’ with human rights concerns
MACON, GA. — Jimmy Carter flashed his trademark smile and laughed when a well-meaning Mercer University student approached a microphone and said that "generations" in his family had greatly admired the former...
‘Words and Deeds: The Stewardship of One’s Talents’
A lot of preachers take Monday off. I know, I know, there's the old saw about how a preacher only works one day a week, so he not only takes Mondays off but the rest of the week as well. Boy, if I had a nickel for...
“The Order of Myths”
Filmmaker Margaret Brown, a Mobile, Ala., native, burrows into the inherited racialization that swirls around her hometown's Mardi Gras celebrations. Yet the upshot is that most of the social actors, black and white,...
“Congo Week” Draws Global Baptist Support
A British Baptist organization and students around the world are promoting efforts this week to raise awareness of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where more than five million people have died...
Remembering Nell Knight
Iva Nell Moseley Knight, 82, died yesterday (Oct. 22) after a long illness. A celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, at Oakhurst Baptist Church, (222 East Lake Drive, Decatur, Ga.) where she was a...