By Brian Foreman INTOIT, six letters that show a way forward in a culture of toxic polarization. These six magical letters are an acronym for I Never Thought of It That (way), and the title of a recent book by Seattle journalist Monica Guzman, a left-leaning child of Mexican immigrants in Seattle who vote Republican. … Continue reading
In this season of giving thanks, we celebrate our CBF family, and we are grateful for you. As we gather today around many tables around the world, may we feel Christ’s love that connects us all in beautiful beloved community. Thank you for all of the ways you partner with us and share your bold … Continue reading
By Steven Porter Pastors keep asking me how to respond to the crises in Haiti, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. My answer: PRAY and then GIVE to the Offering for Global Missions. Why? Because presence matters. Moments like these are the reason our Fellowship pools resources to support committed and highly trained people whom God has called … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley One year ago today, a large number of congregations in and beyond the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship worshipped for the first time virtually as the coronavirus pandemic began to redefine all aspects of life in the United States the week prior. A week or 10 days earlier, many congregations started to realize that … Continue reading
June 26, 2020 By Aaron Weaver and Carrie Harris DECATUR, Ga.—What would it mean to live boldly in the midst of the harsh realities of COVID-19 and racial injustice? Will we, like Joseph of Arimathea, have the courage to show up? Will we as a Fellowship have the courage to go together with bold faithfulness … Continue reading
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
As part of the Toward Bold Faithfulness initiative, a team representing the breadth of CBF life has spent more than six months leading the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship through a season of discovering where God would have the Fellowship focus its energy, so that congregations can thrive and Christ’s mission can flourish. This Discovery Team will … Continue reading
“Into your hands I commend my Spirit” This is the second time Jesus quotes the Psalms, this time Psalm 31:5. In the midst of the darkness, the anguish, the approaching death, Jesus’ prayer is not one of anxiety or abandonment, but one of trust. It is a trust that shines like light in a very … Continue reading
“It is finished” These last words of Jesus are really one word in Greek… “tetelestai” Is it a word of surrender? A word of resignation? We are tempted to hear it that way. And right now, many of us are tempted to think that way. After all, we don’t know how long this unusual season … Continue reading
“I thirst” These words of Jesus bring us face-to-face with the fullness of his humanity. The extraordinary suffering he is experiencing has left him dry and parched; he is thirsty. Any human being having experienced the cruelty of crucifixion would be thirsty. The fullness of Jesus’ divinity does not diminish the fullness of his humanity. … Continue reading