It seems hard to believe, but 2023 is nearly in the rearview mirror. In many churches, January will bring a reset of the fiscal year, a deep breath after intense months spent creating and approving budgets and encouraging people to pledge, a brief return to “regular” worship after the heightened experiences of the holiday seasons … Continue reading
When we think of social justice, we tend to think of tremendous figures, such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Doris Day, Mother Theresa, Walter Rauschenbusch, Nelson Mandela, and Desmond Tutu. And rightly so. These people are tremendous catalysts of significant change and are inspirational to successive generations of justice-seekers. But for every catalytic … Continue reading
By Dewey Bland, chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution, Three Rivers, Texas “If you’re a young man and you’re not being admired by an older man, you’re being hurt,” Robert Moore, Iron John: A Book about Men Joshua had Moses (Exodus 32-33) and Elisha had Elijah (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21). I am so thankful for … Continue reading
I have been in the church since the womb and vocational ministry since I was 14. I have experienced a myriad of expressions of church, serving in most of those expressions. Now I am in the unique role of denominational work, visiting even more expressions of church. Despite the moderate or progressive expression, I still … Continue reading
Below is a press release from CBF-partner Passport Inc. Rev. Sara Hunt-Felke to join Passport as Coordinator for Youth Programs (BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) – We are excited to announce that Rev. Sara Hunt-Felke, will join the Passport national staff as the new Program Coordinator for Youth. Rev. Hunt-Felke is a graduate of Samford University (B.A.) and … Continue reading
The effects of trauma, much like something like anxiety, express themselves in a diversity of ways, both individually and collectively. But what is trauma in the first place? Trauma feels like those words like anxiety, in which it has become a catch-all term that feels so vague and broad. And with all of the complexities … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Imagine figuring out how your church can thrive by experimenting with innovation, unafraid to fail in pursuit of transformation. Imagine learning from innovations that didn’t work. Then trying even-newer initiatives that eventually work. Imagine experimenting alongside other churches in situations like yours—learning from and encouraging each other—and guided by a coach who … Continue reading
Below is a press release from CBF-partner Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. Lexington — Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (BSK) is now accepting applications for the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies program, launching in Fall 2024. The program, completed online through live Zoom sessions, is designed for people who want to grow in their calling while … Continue reading
Below is a press release from CBF-partner Passport Inc. Passport, Inc. is pleased to announce the awarding of three scholarships in our third year of offering The Chester Phelps Passport Seminary Scholarship. Each recipient has served on PASSPORT Summer Staff and is pursuing a career in ministry through seminary training. Passport has awarded a total … Continue reading
By Kristen Thomason For three days in August, 56 female pastors gathered to worship, learn, reconnect and rest at the Baptist Women in Ministry retreat for pastoras in Puerto Rico. Some of the participants were seminary students just beginning their ministries, some pastors of local churches looking for inspiration, some chaplains serving their communities, and … Continue reading