Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Faith Groups Launch Campaigns to Promote Civil Discourse
Two campaigns inserted themselves into the U.S. political cycle on Sunday, both seeking to shake up the political scene in the run up to the 2020 election by returning civility and constructive dialogue to U.S. politics.
November 4, 2019
Europe: New Research Reveals Crosses Were Carried into Battle in England as Early as 650 AD (CNN) Europe: German City of Dresden Declares ‘ Nazi Emergency’ (CNN) Historic Alabama Church Gives More Than an Easy Lesson...
Intriguing find; political drama
Doing archaeology is hard work under any circumstances, not just in the physical labor of uncovering ancient layers of civilizations, but also in walking the tightrope of ethical propriety. Such an issue is plaguing a...
From the Pews | All Saints’ Day: Reflecting and Remembering
Just before the busy holiday season in America, All Saints’ Day reminds us to reflect on how we are spending this one life we have to live and to remember those who have gone before us and those we’ve lost over the past year.
Why Your Pastor Should Start Church with Funny Monologues
Because most churches avoid politics, we come off as irrelevant or silent about the most pressing issues. Perhaps we should take a cue from late-night talk-show hosts. A humorous monologue can open the door to serious talk.
Look Back | Step by Step, Flattening Hierarchy’s Pyramid
Hierarchical thinking creates far more losers than winners. We view relationships as levels on a pyramid, always assessing whether we are above, below or equal to others. Instead, let’s lift others up and flatten the pyramid.
November 1, 2019
Southern Baptist Church: Racial Prejudice a Factor in Rejection of Black Pastor (RNS) Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Lauds Sex Crime Law (Odessa American) Northwest Christian University Sees Record Enrollment...
Lead The Way In Love
By: Ginger Hughes “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Earlier this month, a...
From Reformation to Transformation: A New Church Era
The Reformation served the world well for the last 500 years, breaking old structures and erecting new ones. But it also had its flaws. The time for a new era of the church needs to begin, moving from reformation to transformation.
How Your Church Can Benefit by Observing All Saints’ Day
In most Baptist circles, All Saints’ Day – the day after Halloween – is never mentioned, much less observed. Yet telling stories of faithful witness is the most effective means of catching courage and transmitting hope.
When Can You Bend Christian Ethics? Historically, It Depends
Although many fundamentalists rail against situation ethics, they often do blatantly unethical things in a rule-based ethics but justify them given the circumstances. So when is it ethically OK to violate a rule? It’s complicated.
October 31, 2019
Denominations Struggle to Decide When a Church is too Small to Survive (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) In Northern California, Churches Step up to Shelter Fire Evacuees (RNS) Evangelical Leaders Gather With Trump to...
Profiles In Goodwill: Lina Toth
By EthicsDaily.com Staff – Lina Toth (Andronoviene), a Lithuanian-born Baptist theologian, is assistant principal and lecturer in practical theology at Scottish Baptist College.
What Place Does Mental Health Awareness Have in Your Church?
Churches need to be structured and conditioned in such a way to respond with grace, compassion and love to those who are struggling with mental health issues. We must end the stigmas attached to the needs of mental health.
Decade-Long Suicide Rate Spikes Among US Adolescents
The suicide rate in the US has been increasing for a decade. Its sharpest rise is occurring in children and teens, with the rates for 10- to 14-years-olds spiking 178% and for 15- to 19-year-olds increasing 76%.
October 30, 2019
Retired Pastors Happy, But See Room for Improvement (Baptist Standard) Squirrel Goes Nuts During Alabama Church Service; Hilarity Ensues (WFLA) Generational Divide Among Evangelicals Shakes Prominent Seminary (Wall...
Taking the gospel seriously without taking ourselves too seriously
By John D. Pierce Entering a new academic pursuit during my campus ministry years in the late-‘80s, I would make regular treks across metro Atlanta. My routine was to leave in the early morning hours to avoid traffic,...
As Madness Swirls, We Must Live Out Peacemaking, Humility
In political and congregational spheres, fear drives a disturbing number of Christians to embrace harsh, divisive, self-centered and transactional leadership. Instead, we must practice Jesus’ way of peacemaking and humility.
For All Survivors of Abuse: Forgive but Don’t Ever Forget
Abuse survivors are told too often to forgive and forget. But don’t ever forget. Forgiveness is about personal power, about attaining peace, about looking forward with hope. These 5 exercises will help you let go of the angst.
One-Third of Children Malnourished; Half Face ‘Hidden Hunger’
One in three children under the age of 5 suffers from some form of malnutrition. One in two children faces “hidden hunger” in the form of vitamin or mineral deficiency. And one in five is overweight or obese. These...
October 28, 2019
Mourning Elijah Cummings, Preachers and Presidents Recall a Man of Faith (RNS) Religious Leaders Preach Unity and Pray for Separated Families at Border (San Diego Union-Tribune) Climate Change at Southwestern Seminary?...