A Conversation with Brian McLaren

Last updated on: May 3, 2017 at 11:41 am By Guest Contributor

My conversation with Brian centered on his call for a radical shift from an exclusive religion of dominance to a love centered way of life seen in the life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is a global way of love that cares deeply for all people, no matter their ethnicity, nationality, social status, economic status or sexual orientation. It is a global way of love that cares deeply for the environment and its impact on everyone in the world, not just the wealthy. Read more

Do we need a “National Day of Prayer”?

Last updated on: May 1, 2017 at 9:54 am By Guest Contributor

I’m not opposed to praying on May 5th. I’m pretty sure I will be saying a prayer on that day, along with many others who practice such a spiritual discipline. I’ll be praying before and after that day as well, but it won’t be because of a bill passed by Congress and signed by the President. It shouldn’t be the government that calls people to pray. It is the church’s job to call people to pray. The church doesn’t need the government’s sanction or admonition to pray. Read more

Hope found in America’s Founding Argument

Last updated on: April 28, 2017 at 10:04 am By Guest Contributor

It must be stated that democracy is not a free-for-all where nothing is protected and everything up for debate. Much to the contrary, we have rights that are sacred and holy in this nation. And, it is precisely these rights that make the argument of democracy inevitable and hopeful. Democracy, “a government of the people, by the people, for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln, framed it, means that as the people change, so too must its government. Change is only birthed through great conflict and argument. Read more

For such a time as this: Celebrating Earth Day 2017

Last updated on: April 21, 2017 at 8:55 am By Aaron Weaver

April 22 will mark the 48th annual celebration of Earth Day — a day first set aside in 1970 to encourage support for environmental protection with events held in more than 190 countries around the world. That first celebration, now nearly a half-century ago, put environmental issues front and center in the U.S. society and politics. With more than 20 million Americans participating in this awareness and advocacy effort, the first-ever Earth Day displayed the grassroots popularity of concern for our planet. Read more

CBF Church Starts Podcast: Healthy Partnership Practices

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 9:00 am By Guest Contributor

Check out this new CBF Church Starts Podcast on healthy partnership practices featuring interviews with two Baptist pastors who are partnering with church plants. Read more

The Cradle, the Cross, and Power

Last updated on: April 12, 2017 at 3:02 pm By Guest Contributor

In any democracy, power can be the means to accomplish helpful ends. But when power is exercised simply as an end in itself, the system becomes ill. That’s why I believe it is high time we held all elected officials accountable and started asking them how much time they are spending on accumulating power for themselves as opposed to using that power to effect change for the good of others. Read more

Lenten Epiphanies and Racism

Last updated on: April 12, 2017 at 11:16 am By Guest Contributor

I could no longer deny that I have some deeply-buried biases. I could no longer overlook the ways political, social, and economic structures are set up to benefit me and mine at the expense of others. I could no longer leave the burden of advocacy solely to people most affected by bad policy. To do so would be turning my back on all that I say I believe about discipleship. Read more

Young Adults: Not a Lost Cause

Last updated on: April 10, 2017 at 1:06 pm By Guest Contributor

As someone who serves with young adults — and as one myself — I don’t think giving up is our best option. It may seem like the easiest thing to do, after all, we’ve already put stock in them: we provided nurturing through spiritual education; we made sure they knew Bible verses, we’ve built the foundation. If they’re not coming back through the doors, what else can we do? Why use resources, time and sanity to reach a generation that is, increasingly, not darkening any part of our buildings, much less the doors? Read more

Chemical Weapons, Holy Week and a Revolution of Values

Last updated on: April 7, 2017 at 11:49 am By Guest Contributor

War is easier than peace. War allows us to dehumanize and devalue our enemies. Peace requires us to see all people as equally loved by our Creator. Peace demands that we see that all people—especially our enemies—are created in the image of God. Read more

April is the cruelest month

Last updated on: April 6, 2017 at 9:46 am By Guest Contributor

I am convinced that it is better to go through life together than by oneself. Our church has so much to be grateful for, and in light of recent tragedy, let's spend a little more time showing appreciation for each other. Each Sunday should be a celebration of life in Christ, and shared life with each other. Read more