By Laura Stephens Reed In the clergy groups to which I belong, questions about how to supervise staff come up often. Most of us weren’t taught during seminary how to do it. And while our work environment is a professional one, pastors want to embody church in all our modes of leadership. That means we … Continue reading
By Maha Boulos One of the women who attends one of our Thursday meetings asked me if at the next meeting, she could share something that happened to her. Her name is Nouna. We worked on what she wanted to share, and her experience was a blessing. She had previously shared her story with me, … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens Reed Churches are often busy places. A quick glance at their calendars might highlight worship services and formation opportunities, certainly, but also meetings, chili cook-offs, support group gatherings, pickleball matches, senior adult trips, miniature golf outings, times that food pantries and clothes closets are open, and much more. Packed schedules are signs … Continue reading
By Aaron Weaver DECATUR, Ga. — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced today the appointment of youth and mission leader Dane Jackson to serve as Manager for Mission Service. In this role, Jackson will oversee mission service experiences and initiatives, working to connect individuals and congregations across the Fellowship to meaningful opportunities for global and local … Continue reading
By Delores Stimpson “The world opened up to me when I learned to read.” (Mary McCleod Bethune) It is a blessing and joy to begin a summer pilot as part of the ongoing Family Resilience Program. Our first focal point is reading. It includes reading aloud, listening and understanding. I am working with an excellent ESL instructor who … Continue reading
By Chris Hughes On paper, Rev. Melissa Hatfield would not be someone you’d expect to be leading the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Mo. “I’m a single female and a seminary dropout,” Hatfield shared. “It’s a resume that looks interesting for sure.” Despite its modern sanctuary, the congregation has a deep history tracking all … Continue reading
By Elket Rodríguez In the shadows of the U.S.-Mexico border, 500,000 souls live scattered across an estimated 2,300 colonias – unincorporated communities where predominantly undocumented migrants live, unable to venture beyond the 100-mile jurisdiction of Customs and Border Protection due to fear of arrest and deportation. These villages endure economically distressed conditions, largely unregulated by … Continue reading
By Kristy Bay Typically, when one envisions a church, certain images and norms come to mind: ideas about buildings, about congregations, about worship styles and theology. The 21st century has brought some ugly truths about institutional churches to light: declining attendance, clergy exodus in the wake of a pandemic, empty buildings, the politicization of faith, … Continue reading
By Tina Boyles Bailey, CBF field personnel At the End of May I attended and lead workshops at the Mountain Top youth Retreat for Austrian youth. As I continue to connect deeper in my work here in Europe and in Austria, I was thrilled to be asked to be part of this special weekend. I … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester This one’s for the nerds. Rev. Aaron Coyle-Carr, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Morehead, Ky., insists that that once-insulting term, “nerd,” is not only acceptable, but today in his university-adjacent congregation it is desirable. “A nerd is someone who is super passionate about one particular thing, who lives into it … Continue reading