By Andy Hale Do you remember that incredible scene from 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” in which the Joker and Batman sit down from a rather heated conversation? For three minutes and twenty-four seconds, these paragon of opposing virtues sit across the table at an impasse. Batman used his fists and guile, while Joker wielded his … Continue reading
By Andy Hale My parents recently jumped on the wave of Ancestory.com and 23 & Me. From a familial perspective, we know where my dad’s side of the family hails. We are as about as Welsh, English, and Scottish as they come. The mystery in our family is my mother’s genealogical linage since she was adopted. We have … Continue reading
By Andy Hale I’ll admit it. I had a True Love Waits Promise Ring. I mean, I did grow up in the 1990s Evangelical movement that stressed sexual purity and abstinence until marriage. Good or ill, it was the only way that the church was talking about sexuality to hormonal teenagers who were trying to … Continue reading
By Andy Hale The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world forever. When you stop and think about it, institutions’, organizations’, communities’, and individuals’ rapid transformation is immeasurable. One of those incalculable changes is the relationship individuals have with the Church. Most, if not all, churches have adapted to facilitate online worship and spiritual formation … Continue reading
By Andy Hale In my lifetime, I have never thought positively about the mixture of faith and politics. There is an endless and nauseatingly long list of incidents of toxic political discourse and religiosity. If you need more tangible examples, I’d recommend reading Kevin M. Kruse’s One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Of the many things that congregations are considering as they exist in 2020, is not only the COVID-19 Crisis and the ever-present plague of racism within America, but how the faith community relates to the environment around them. Environmental stewardship is not limited to how we specifically care for the world’s ecosystem. … Continue reading
By Andy Hale These are unsettling times. Such times demands that one has to figure out where one hits on the emotional register: afraid, disgusted, angry, apathetic, embarrassed, sad, indifferent… If I’m honest, which you know I always will be, I’m angry. And, if I have to explain to you why it’s just not worth … Continue reading
By Andy Hale I’m not sure if the magnitude of this moment in America’s history has registered for many people. For many, they just don’t get it. Far too many white Americans do not believe there is a racism issue in America. The evidence of this comes in subtle ways, such as the response to … Continue reading
By Andy Hale “She’s not a Christian, so no I can’t vote for her,” “He’s a good Christian man,” “She has good Christian values,” or “There is no way that he’s a Christian if he supports ____,” are common talking points among Evangelical voters. Among Evangelicals in American, the faith affiliation of prospective political candidates … Continue reading
In this special series of the CBF Stories Podcast, you’ll hear from some of the 25 Leaders to Know for 2020. Each year the CBF Ministries Council recognizes 25 Young Leaders to know as part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s ongoing investment in young Baptists. This year features graduate students and seminarians, continuing their education … Continue reading
