Where Have All the Baptists Gone?

Last updated on: July 17, 2017 at 7:54 am By Guest Contributor

It is now 2017, not 1776. Baptists are now in the majority, and many of us have forgotten that we were once the religious minority. My Baptist ancestors knew firsthand what it was like to live under the political rule of other Christians who didn't like the way they baptized or prayed or received Communion or insisted upon individual responsibility to God. My Baptist ancestors knew how unpleasant it is to live under the intolerance that develops whenever church becomes state and state becomes church. And, my Baptist ancestors sought to do to others what they would have done to them – respect freedom of conscience and religious liberty. Read more

Podcast: The Next Seven Years of Dreaming for the Kingdom of God

Last updated on: July 11, 2017 at 12:31 pm By Guest Contributor

No matter how unpredictable the future of a church start can be, what if you could promise yourself within the first seven years of this new church start’s existence that you would stay true why you were doing what you were doing—authentic community built, a safe space for all to abide, needs being met, and lives transformed—would you be okay with this kind of outcome? Read more

The Synergy of the Spirit

Last updated on: July 5, 2017 at 12:47 pm By Guest Contributor

Synergy recognizes the benefits that come when multiple single things work together in unison to produce something greater as a group than could be produced working alone. My question for you today is what does synergy look like within your church or ministry context? Is it even possible for synergy to exist in your context? Is God able and invited to use anyone whom God chooses or is there the expectation that God only speaks through a chosen few people like the pastor or chair of deacons? Is the Spirit invited to actively participate in the life of the body or does the body try to control the Spirit? Read more

An ode to the Blues Brothers, Thomas Merton and the forgiveness of God

Last updated on: July 5, 2017 at 2:09 pm By Guest Contributor

Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into his followers, yet too many of us haven't realized it yet. We're still in a dream of “unforgivenness.” Alas, we are unforgiving of the sins of the world, unforgiving of the sins of others, unforgiving of our own sins; therefore sins are retained, sins continue to control us. We live as though Jesus remains in the tomb. Read more

Let us end the violence

Last updated on: June 20, 2017 at 1:58 pm By Guest Contributor

As of my writing, there have been 307 shootings in the U.S. in the last 72 hours. There have been 166 mass shootings[2] since 1 January 2017. Fourteen of those have been in the last week. Five of the 166 have been in Virginia, all except the one in Alexandria within an hour’s drive of where I live, and one of those last Thursday. Read more

God’s chosen nation? We can’t have it both ways

Last updated on: June 19, 2017 at 10:26 am By Guest Contributor

For argument’s sake, let’s suppose that our country is at the top of God’s most favored nation list. Such a privilege comes with a warning label. Blessings come with obligations. Grace is always accompanied by demand. John Winthrop knew that. Read more

Blessed is the man

Last updated on: June 16, 2017 at 11:29 am By Guest Contributor

My hope in writing this is to challenge each of us to be careful in our steps. For Father’s Day, I challenge myself and all men to consider the words of the apostle: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (I Peter 2.21 NIV). Read more

The Importance of Hermeneutics in Interfaith Relations

Last updated on: June 16, 2017 at 9:22 am By Guest Contributor

I have discovered that in every religion there are those who interpret their Holy Text to demonize and seek to harm or destroy those who do not share their hermeneutic. There are also those who interpret their Holy Text in a way that motivates them to allow God to use their lives to bring restoration, redemption and love to His creation. Read more

Most Common Mistakes of Church Starts (Part 2)

Last updated on: June 12, 2017 at 12:06 pm By Aaron Weaver

This week’s podcast is the second of a three-part conversation on the most common mistakes of church starting. Our partnership with a vast and diverse pool of church starters has afforded us the opportunity to listen to their stories and share lessons learned. Read more

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leaders show support for Arkansas Judge at religious freedom rally

Last updated on: June 9, 2017 at 2:01 pm By Aaron Weaver

June 9, 2017 By CBF Communications LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leaders and other faith leaders from across the country held a religious freedom rally and press conference Friday on the front steps of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., to show their support for state Circuit Judge and Pastor Wendell Griffen’s right to express his religious beliefs as an elected official. Griffen is pastor of New Millennium Church in Little Rock, a CBF partner congregation.... Read more