June 21, 2019 By Carrie Harris “Politics is not the problem,” popular journalist and public radio host Krista Tippett said during her keynote address to conclude the 2019 CBF General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala. Tippett echoed the central theme heard throughout the week—that Cooperative Baptists are called to love in the midst of difference, diversity … Continue reading
June 21, 2019 By Aaron Weaver and Carrie Harris “In my travels, I have found much to celebrate. I have found so many reasons to have renewed energy and conviction,” said CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley during his Friday report to Assembly attendees, reflecting on his first three months as Executive Coordinator traveling through 14 … Continue reading
June 20, 2019 By Carrie Harris and Aaron Weaver BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Living out the ‘new commandment’ of Jesus Christ to “love one another with a relentless, sacrificial, active love” was the theme of Rev. Dr. Paul Baxley’s first-ever General Assembly address since becoming the Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in March. “’A new command … Continue reading
June 20, 2019 By Aaron Weaver BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Rev. Suzii Paynter, who served as only the third executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship from 2013-2019, was celebrated Thursday evening at an all-Fellowship dinner in her honor at the 2019 CBF General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala. Cooperative Baptist leaders celebrated the impact of Paynter’s leadership in … Continue reading
June 20, 2019 By Carrie Harris BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The 2019 General Assembly continued Thursday with a “Fellowship at Work” business session where attendees heard reports and updates on the missions and ministries of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. “When faithful servants of God say ‘yes’ to serving, there is no limit to the mountains God can move … Continue reading
June 19, 2019 By Carrie Harris and Aaron Weaver BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— The 2019 General Assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship opened Wednesday with a day focused on racial justice, including a worship service featuring testimonies from CBF pastors deeply engaged in the work toward racial justice and reconciliation. “The work of reconciliation is challenging to … Continue reading
June 18, 2019 By Carrie Harris and Aaron Weaver BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Governing Board met June 18 ahead of the 2019 General Assembly in Birmingham, Ala., to reflect on the past year, hear reports and welcome new CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley and incoming CBF Moderator Kyle Reese. “There’s much to celebrate in … Continue reading
By Aaron Weaver Just a year ago, Cooperative Baptists voted to elect Kyle Reese, then senior pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., to serve as Moderator-Elect for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in 2018-2019. Later this week, Reese will assume the role of Moderator, the Fellowship’s highest-ranking officer, succeeding Gary Dollar in the role. I … Continue reading
By Liz Andrasi Deere Lillian Hinds has been pastor of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple, Texas, for over a decade. Early in her tenure, she struggled financially and thought she was the only pastor to do so. Lilian looked to other churches and pastors and “it just seemed like everybody was doing so well,” she said. A Downward Spiral Lillian pointed to the 1980s as the beginning of her financial downward … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley The essence of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is partnership. It’s collaboration. And for clarity’s sake, this spirit extends to the budget process. After an extended process involving the Finance Committee of the CBF Governing Board and the CBF staff in Decatur, the CBF Governing Board unanimously approved a proposed budget for the … Continue reading
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