By Paul Baxley This past Sunday we began the Season of Advent. So much was different this year. Because of the surging coronavirus pandemic, we did not begin Advent with large congregations in sanctuaries. Many more worshipped online than in person. We could not sing the carols of Advent with the same energy, instead the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Paul Baxley
A CBF Budget Update from Paul Baxley
Cooperative Baptists, Come this summer, CBF will mark the 30th anniversary of our founding. In this anniversary year, we are facing both incredible opportunities and significant challenges. Our Toward Bold Faithfulness process was launched almost a year ago to discover the greatest gifts and most urgent needs of our Fellowship, churches and communities and then … Continue reading
BNG: CBF Governing Board will consider significant budget changes this week
Mark Wingfield, executive director of Baptist News Global, published the following article featuring an interview with CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley regarding the upcoming Oct. 1-2 meeting of the CBF Governing Board. Read an excerpt below via BNG: When the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Governing Board convenes tomorrow and Friday, its decisions could reshape the organization … Continue reading
Lewis and Vivian: Giving thanks and following their lead
By Paul Baxley In a single day, we saw the death of two giants. Today, all of us who follow Jesus should offer prayers of gratitude for the Rev. C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis and their extraordinary lives of faith. We should certainly surround their families in prayer and rejoice in the promise of … Continue reading
The latest sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us
By Paul Baxley Last week our Fellowship held our first ever virtual General Assembly. I would like to thank each member of our Fellowship community who made time to engage in the worship, plenary sessions, workshops, network gatherings and partner events that took place Thursday and Friday. While we certainly missed the unique beauty of … Continue reading
Baxley calls Cooperative Baptists toward bold faithfulness, commitment to racial justice and healing
June 25, 2020 By Carrie Harris and Aaron Weaver DECATUR, Ga.—The journey toward bold faithfulness demands more of ourselves and more of the church in this current cultural moment marked by racial injustice and the sins of white supremacy, CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley preached during the Thursday evening worship service of the 2020 virtual … Continue reading
Paul Baxley releases statement on the death of Babs Baugh
The following is a statement from CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley on the death of Babs Baugh It was with great sadness, but also with gratitude and hope, that I learned this morning of the death of Babs Baugh. Babs exuded passion and joy in everything she did. I will miss her. Everyone who knew … Continue reading
Another black child of God killed by police. We can’t wait to act.
By Paul Baxley Yesterday a little girl was preparing to celebrate her 8th birthday with a party at a skating rink. She had her dress on, and she was waiting for her father to come pick her up for the party. But he never came. Her father is Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, who … Continue reading
El Equipo de Descubrimiento publica hallazgos sobre los dones prevalentes y las necesidades más urgentes
1 de junio de 2020 Por Paul Baxley Hoy nuestro Equipo de Descubrimiento ha publicado los resultados de la fase de Descubrimiento de “Hacia Una Fidelidad Audaz”. Ya puedes leer el informe que revela los dones más poderosos dados a nuestras congregaciones y a nuestro Compañerismo, junto con las necesidades más urgentes que enfrentamos en … Continue reading
In times like these, taking a step toward the first Pentecost
By Paul Baxley The second chapter of Acts makes clear that from our very first day, the Church of Jesus Christ included people “from every nation under heaven.” By the powerful gifting of the Holy Spirit, the first disciples were able to preach the Gospel in ways understandable to people who came from many cultures … Continue reading