by Christopher West In the world of Covid-19, health has become a major topic of discussion and debate within our congregations. It seems that everywhere one goes today, people are discussing public health, health insurance reform, epidemiology, public policy in wake of the coronavirus, and the diminishing health of the American public. The thing missing … Continue reading
By Andy Hale In some families, there are just certain things you don’t talk about ever. We all have sat through those Thanksgiving meals, just praying that no one brings up politics or religion in front of the highly contentious uncle. Growing up in the Hale house, much to my mother’s chagrin, there didn’t seem … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed The church is not a building,the church is not a steeple,the church is not a resting place,the church is a people. –“We Are the Church,” words and music by Donald Marsh and Richard Avery, ©1972, Hope Publishing Company You might be familiar with this hymn, which is sometimes sung on Pentecost Sunday … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley Recently, several governors in the southeastern United States announced plans to “reopen” their states for business. There has been vigorous debate about whether or not these decisions to reopen conform to the standards announced earlier by the Centers for Disease Control and the federal government. These announcements have been decried as reckless … Continue reading
The following post is from Jaime Fitzgerald, a rising senior at Carson Newman College, and a a previous Selah Vie participant. This blog is part of a series of reflections on Selah Vie. I had the privilege of attending Selah Vie, an end of the summer retreat for Congregational Collegiate Interns, Student. Go missionaries, and … Continue reading
The following post comes from Bill Wilson, president of the Center for Congregational Health. Nearly all observers of the 21st century church in America agree that the next generation of leadership is a cause for concern. Many write, blog, tweet and generally lament the state of leadership cultivation and training, or lack thereof. Far too … Continue reading
The following post is from Rich Havard, a student a McAfee School of Theology. Rich volunteers with Trey and Jen Lyon, CBF field personnel in Atlanta. You can read more about Trey and Jen’s ministry in this month’s edition of the fellowship! magazine. This blog concludes a week-long series on the Lyon’s ministry in Atlanta. … Continue reading
The following post comes from Jonathan Davis of Wildewood Baptist Church in Spring, Texas. Houston’s Ad Deum Dance Company performed in Easter worship services, depicting Christ’s death, burial and resurrection through the art of dance Wildewood Baptist Church danced on Easter. On Easter Sunday, the church celebrated through the arts and Ad Deum, one of … Continue reading
The following post comes from CBF partner church, First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. AUSTIN, TEXAS– This past Advent season, the congregation of First Baptist Church of Austin challenged themselves to “spend less, in order to give more.” In the generous spirit of a community that serves in love and compassion, First Austin members participated … Continue reading
This post comes from Tony Hopkins, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greenwood, S.C., and a member of the 2012 Task Force. As I reflect on my experience with the 2012 Task Force, three observations bubble to the top. The first is: people care about CBF! We hosted more than 100 listening sessions, and in every … Continue reading