By Laura Stephens-Reed For many pastors September is the month when they begin looking toward Advent. The program year is underway, the stewardship team has begun its work, and the music director is requesting seasonal themes in order to select appropriate pieces and prepare the choir to sing them. That means there’s space and impetus … Continue reading
For congregations to thrive and Christ’s mission among us to flourish, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has entered a season of discovering where God would focus our work together. Take CBF’s online survey about your church and your personal ministry aspirations before Feb. 2. This devotional is part of a series in January that tells stories of “Bold Faith” … Continue reading
By Michele Shadden I stand amazed in the presence of a God who loves me beyond measure and grace. I wonder “who, me?” and “why me?” That is a mystery to which I will never know the answer. God just loves me and us with God’s heart and with all that God is and God … Continue reading
By Mark Thomas Thanksgiving Eve this year was a gorgeous, though windy, day in central Kentucky. My wife, son, and I found ourselves heading west on the Bluegrass Parkway. Our initial destination was the small town of Hodgenville, recently profiled on the SEC Network program, True South. We were going to Laha’s Red Castle, which … Continue reading
The following is an announcement from CBF-partner Passport Inc. Learn more at http://www.passportcamps.org. (BIRMINGHAM, AL) –Following the Star, the devotional series for Advent and Christmas, returns to Passport, Inc.’s devotional website d365.org November 26. This series features scripture, prayer, and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. Writers Tasha Gibson, Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks, Becky Caswell-Speight, Brian … Continue reading
Mark Wingfield, Associate Pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and former managing editor of the Baptist Standard, reflects on the forethought and intentionality that must accompany the season of Advent. This summer, when the published church calendar showed a Hanging of the Green meeting, several church members questioned whether that was a typo. … Continue reading
Our friends at Duke Divinity’s Faith & Leadership program asked CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal to share the disciplines he finds most helpful in making his Advent season meaningful. To learn about Daniel’s Advent disciplines, read the piece online. After you check it out, come back to this post and share what’s been meaningful for … Continue reading
The following post is from Jim Pope, Associate for Military Chaplaincy for the CBF. As we move deeper into Advent and our senses are quickened by familiar music and aromas that transport us to distant times and familiar places; as our hearts beat more rapidly at the sight of shepherds and stars and the image … Continue reading
Louisville-area churches have a meaningful innovation for the Second Sunday of Advent. Highland Baptist Church joins with Ridgewood Baptist and St. William Catholic churches in Louisville this Sunday to remember victims of violence and their families in their community by placing crosses on the front lawn of the church. This Sunday following their morning worship services, Highland … Continue reading
Put this great idea in your file for 2011 Christmas/Advent!! (submitted by Becky Lynch, member of Boulevard Baptist Church, Anderson, SC) Boulevard’s 7th annual Alternative Christmas Fair was December 4 – 5. The occasion brought shoppers from our church family as well as our community to “shop” for gifts at 10 ministry tables including Global … Continue reading
