Editor’s Note: This is the fifteenth installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity in CBF, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Illuminations
May They Be One
Editor’s Note: This is the fourteenth installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity in CBF, … Continue reading
Straddling Two Worlds
As I look back at my life and faith journey, what has mattered most is community. A community that offered love and grace with no pretense and no agenda, but a safe space to be a child of God. The Fellowship is that community for me, as imperfect as it is. After all, if it were not for the work of Baptist missionaries, I would not be where I am today. Continue reading
Blessed be the ties that bind
We bless the ties that bind and celebrate the partnerships we are able to have. Our cooperation comes from conversation and understanding. Our union is built from a deep desire to understand one another. Continue reading
Confessions of a Prideful, Prejudiced Egoist or How I Found My Way Home
Editor’s Note: This is the eleventh installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity in … Continue reading
United in Diversity: Our Baptist Witness Past and Present
Our faith’s beginnings appeared far from promising.
As religious immigrants in the New World of the 17th century, we were despised and hated by many. We denounced theocratic “Bible commonwealths” established upon and mandating Old Testament law. For this we were perceived as dangerous. We cited Jesus as Lord in opposing Old Testament law and religious creeds. For this we were dismissed as heretics. Continue reading
Belonging in the world of both/and
Editor’s Note: This is the ninth installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity in … Continue reading
CBF Fellows: Flourishing in Ministry
Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity in … Continue reading
Illuminating the Radical Center
Editor’s Note: This is the seventh installment of a new series called “Illuminations,” which aims to highlight stories of cooperation, unity and diversity from across the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Illuminations is a communications initiative of the Illumination Project, a project of discernment and accompaniment involving CBF congregational leaders to illuminate the qualities that have built unity … Continue reading
Peer Learning Groups: Lessons in Listening and Finding New Stories
On Sunday, I changed perspective and found a whole new story. Not just the story of someone else but a whole new story for me. For now my new story included their story. I could not unhear what I heard when I listened. Peer Learning Groups offer all of us lessons in listening. Know your way of listening. See it for the unique gift that it is. And then switch seats. Sit in and with the story. Listen with all of your might. And celebrate your companions who listen with you. Continue reading