By Kristen Thomason Music plays a central role in worship for most church goers. “[It] creates a pathway so that together we love the Lord with heart and mind and strength,” said Doug Haney, who recently retired from ministry at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. Yet the church musicians crafting a meaningful worship experience often … Continue reading
By Chris Hughes For Carita Brown, following a calling from God has involved many doors opening unexpectedly—doors that she has stepped through on faith. She describes them as “and suddenly” moments. “I think of the book of Mark when I think about how God moves in my life. It’s always ‘and suddenly God did this’ … 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
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
Por Kristen Thomason Durante tres días de agosto, 56 pastoras se reunieron para adorar, aprender, reconectarse y descansar en el retiro para pastoras de Mujeres Bautistas en Ministerio de Puerto Rico. Algunas de las participantes son estudiantes de seminario que acaban de comenzar sus ministerios, algunas son pastoras de iglesias locales en busca de inspiración, … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Sometimes the best way to discover home is to leave it. That’s certainly proven true for Ingrid Bangova, a Roma woman from the small village of Cinobaňa, Slovakia. She, like many Roma people scattered throughout the Eastern European diaspora, relates complicatedly to that concept of “home.” A perennially displaced and persecuted people, … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Shane McNary used to make a morbid prediction that proved prophetic—and pragmatic—for his ministry partners in Central Europe. “When I had a conversation with somebody to start a new collaboration in ministry, my standard speech was, ‘I’m going to die tomorrow, so whatever we decide to do today, you have to commit … Continue reading
By John Dewitt Mari Wiles is the co-vocational pastor of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church, a congregation in rural Drewyville, Va. Along with serving Thomas Memorial Church, she is the Minister to the University and the Associate Dean of Students at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. “I’ve always loved the church, not always understood her, … Continue reading
By Jennifer Colosimo Imagine how it would feel to grow up practicing faith one way, only to be judged for it as an adult—by the people who believe the same thing as you? For many Black women today, that’s exactly the case. They often don’t have a place where they can simultaneously grow in their … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester To care for mothers is to care for humanity. Michelle Norman and Elisabet Roca do their work in this sacred “Magnificat” tradition of Mary, mother of God. “We started a program called Mamáventura,” explained Michelle. “It’s a ministry to immigrant moms and their children.” Stationed in Catalonia, Spain, CBF field personnel Michelle … Continue reading