Over the next weeks and months, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will be sharing reflections from our CBF field personnel serving around the world. These are stories of impact and outreach, Gospel-sharing and relationship building, long-term presence and abundant love. The following is a reflection from CBF field personnel Jon Parks, who serves in Kosice, Slovakia, … Continue reading
Statement by Paul Baxley, CBF Executive Coordinator As night falls, I call on all Cooperative Baptists to join me and people of all faith traditions in praying for an end to the riots that have overtaken the United States Capitol this afternoon. This kind of riotous violence is sinful and destructive toward all people. It … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley This past Sunday we began the Season of Advent. So much was different this year. Because of the surging coronavirus pandemic, we did not begin Advent with large congregations in sanctuaries. Many more worshipped online than in person. We could not sing the carols of Advent with the same energy, instead the … Continue reading
Since 1985, the Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings (“COMISS”) has observed the last week of October as Spiritual Care Week – a time when we celebrate the sacred work of chaplains and pastoral counselors. This year’s Spiritual Care Week theme is “Collaborative Healthcare: Chaplains Complete the Picture.” Sometimes a picture is more informative and revealing than words. Often … Continue reading
Mike Oliver, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama, opened the Oct. 2 meeting of the CBF Governing Board with a devotional urging his fellow board members to heed a call to remember. There is a call to remember throughout the Bible, Oliver said, particularly the call to remember God. We’re called to remember … Continue reading
By Natasha Nedrick Dear White Christians, You cannot hold comfortable and traditional worship services after you witness unarmed black men and women being murdered in the street and still call yourself an ally. I woke up early Sunday morning to intentionally observe how white churches across the country would respond after bearing witness the grotesque … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Two-plus months into doing all the things at home—working, parenting, recreating—every part of me is weary. As an introvert, I need regular time inside a bubble that popped long ago. I know that extroverts are struggling in different ways, unable to be in places and around people that give them energy. If … Continue reading
By Preston Clegg “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” This command is one of the 10 Commandments, just between “Don’t take the name of the Lord in vain” and “Honor Your Father and Mother.” The command to honor the Sabbath was of supreme ethical and spiritual importance to the Jewish people. For many in our day, … Continue reading
By Lauren Hooie “Dear Lord, we thank You for this day and everything You’ve given us. Thank You for this food we’re about to eat and for sending Your son to forgive our sins. Amen.” This is the classic dinner prayer that I’ve said for about 20 years. For a long time, it was the … Continue reading
By Rick Burnette Loving God, Lord of all Creation, we ask your mercy upon the vulnerable now suffering because of this powerful storm. We ask your protection for those who remain in harm’s way. We pray for the displaced; especially those who find themselves without shelter. We lift up those who have suffered mental and … Continue reading
