By Laura Stephens-Reed During a gathering of my field education cohort during seminary, the leaders facilitated a discussion about the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. For most people in the room, communion was about welcome, nourishment, and grace. I had a different take. In the church of my youth, we had the Lord’s Supper once … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Grace
I believe Jesus descended to the dead, and on the third day rose again.
by Kendall Ellis This semester I had the joy of guiding my staff through a weekly devotional inspired by the Apostles’ Creed. Though Baptists have historically been a non-creedal people, my staff was an ecumenical group of believers, and we found a renewed hope in God as we studied the creed and scriptures together. Below … Continue reading
CBF Podcast: Peace Amadi, Spiritually Bypassing Difficult Emotions
By Andy Hale What’s your go-to answer when someone asks how you are doing? It’s probably either “good” or “fine.” How many of us are actually “good” or “fine” when we are asked? Most days, I am a wide range of either “hitting on all cylinders…feet don’t fail me now” or “I just don’t have … Continue reading
Part of God’s Story
By Jana Atkinson The idea that I am a part of God’s story is something I never thought or believed until Jesus came in and radically changed my perspective. We live in a world that is full of broken people. I spent a great deal of my life as one of these broken people. I … Continue reading
Being Holy
By Sarah Wei Holiness is easily misunderstood as perfection; it is a word that seems far removed from us, and may only exist in heaven. This discourages many Christians to think about or pursue it. The Scripture in Hebrews 12:14 tells us the reason for living a holy life: “Pursue peace with everyone, and the … Continue reading
CBF names Jay Kieve to new abuse prevention and response advocate position
April 7, 2021 By Aaron Weaver DECATUR, Ga. — To continue its commitment to preventing abuse in congregations and advocating for abuse survivors, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has named CBF South Carolina Coordinator Jay Kieve to serve in the newly-created position of CBF Abuse Prevention and Response Advocate. In this part-time role, Kieve will be … Continue reading
I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening), A Conversation with Beth Silvers & Sarah Stewart Holland
By Andy Hale It is election week. The tension is palpable. The stress is high. The division is evident. Whatever happens on Tuesday night, and more likely over the coming weeks, Americans face a new chapter. The unease by which we look at this next chapter, no matter who is elected, is that we have … Continue reading
Setting new standards
By Laura Stephens-Reed As recently as mid-March, I cocooned myself in my office and coached clients and cranked out blog posts and workshop outlines with such focus that I felt, well, productive. Then the bus would drop my son off after school, and I’d switch gears, trying my best to be present to his needs … Continue reading
Words in the Dark: The Seven Last Words of Christ – Palm Sunday
“Father, forgive them; they know not what they do” Jesus’ first spoken words during the darkness of Good Friday are words of indescribable grace. He offers forgiveness to those who crucify him, affirming that they don’t really know what they are doing. These are also powerful words of grace for us to hear early in … Continue reading
On justice, forgiveness and the road ahead
By Stephen K. Reeves I was relieved at the verdict. If a person can walk into someone else’s home and shoot and kill them with no jail time, I think we all have a problem. Particularly with the proliferation of handguns and concealed and open carry laws. It may have been a tragic mistake, but … Continue reading