Recent Articles
Just need to say . . .
My role as contributing editor and curriculum writer for Nurturing Faith gives me opportunities to blog on a variety of subjects, from devotional thoughts to curiosities to archaeology. Lately I've focused more on archaeology. Rarely do I venture into politics and...
5 Suggestions to Move Forward in Ending Racial Discrimination
With many forced from their homes, refugees flee to our country looking for a better life for their families. Instead, they encounter hatred and anger. Here are five suggestions to help end racial discrimination for our country.
Babs: Feisty, funny, forever shaping the future
By John D. Pierce In our progressive Baptist world it is enough to just to say “Babs.” We all know who you’re talking about — the feisty, funny Texan whose life made an impact beyond degree. Yet the surname “Baugh” stood — and stands — for something very significant....
Political Loyalty of Prominent Baptist ‘Trumpers’ is Puzzling
Jerry Falwell. Robert Jeffress. Franklin Graham. Mike Huckabee. These are a few of the prominent Baptists who support President Trump no matter what he does. The political loyalty of these and other Baptists is puzzling at best.
June 15, 2020
The death of Baptist philanthropist Babs Baugh, the gatherings in D.C. for prayer and protest, the Bible and Black anger, and the need for the Christian church to make restitution for racial sin are among today’s curated headlines.
Baptist Philanthropist ‘Babs’ Baugh Dies
Barbara Nell (“Babs”) Baugh, president of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, died on Sunday, June 14, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 78.
It’s Time for White People to Listen to African Americans
As part of the majority race, understanding what it feels like to be treated unjustly because of your skin color is difficult. You can, however, do a better job of listening to African Americans to understand better their plight.
Trump’s Staged Photo-op: Coded Message to Christian Nationalists
President Trump’s staged demonstration of piety has sparked public outrage. The president, however, was not troubled. He meant to send a message to Christian nationalists, a vocal minority of Christians who seek political power.
June 12, 2020
Today’s headlines include a story about the growing number of Christians saying ‘Black Lives Matter,’ a call to overturn the structures of injustice, a gavel with ties to slavery, and the connection between COVID-19 and America’s gun problem.
What Will Happen the Day You Die?
Imagine being told the day you will die. What would you discover? You will see what remains undone in your life. But leaving something incomplete makes it necessary for someone else – another life – to pick up where you left off.
The Day Democracy Teetered on Tyranny’s Brink
As peaceful protesters demanded justice for the killing of George Floyd, President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on June 1 dangerously approached authoritarian rule over democratic governance. May our democracy regain its balance.
June 11, 2020
A new poll finding a quarter of the U.S. sees Trump as a man of faith, a look into the songs and Scriptures at George Floyd’s funeral and a call for reparations from slavery are among today’s editor’s picks.
Younger Generation Tired of Racism; The World Must Adjust
The death of George Floyd, who died as a police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck, sparked protests in 50 states. The younger generation isn’t ‘waiting on the world to change.’ We have already changed; the world must adjust.
Let’s Tear Down Idols to Those Who Caused Pain to Innocents
The time is long overdue for us to stop celebrating idols in memory of those who caused the pain and death of so many innocent people. Why do we insist upon glorifying those who clearly lived in contradiction to the life of Jesus?
Online Worship Provides Many Options but Mixed Engagement
While nearly all of the surveyed pastors said their congregations were offering online services, engagement of Christians with these virtual gatherings has been mixed and uneven, a Barna Group report found.
June 10, 2020
Today’s curated headlines include a reflection on George Floyd by Rev. Al Sharpton, racial resentment among religious groups, and how Trump’s use of religion has authoritarian tendencies.
Seeing the World Like Jesus Sees the World
By John D. Pierce The Gospels say nothing about “accepting Jesus.” That’s an initiation rite developed within institutional Christianity. In fact, the story revealed in the Gospels is one of Jesus accepting us — all of us. We are called to believe but there is a more...
God’s Spirit Moves Against Abusive Law Enforcement Conduct
As peaceful protests about abusive law enforcement behavior against black and brown persons continue throughout the US, the Spirit of God is moving against fascism, militarism and abusive and homicidal law enforcement conduct.
‘Miracle on 31st Street’
If you want to experience joy and feel as though you have been wrapped in a warm blanket of love, read Susan Sparks’ new book, ‘Miracle on 31st Street.’ This small book of 26 devotionals will lift your spirits.
US Support for Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage at All-Time High
Support for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the US matched an all-time high with more than two-thirds of respondents expressing support, a Gallup report said, representing a 40-point increase from 1996.
June 9, 2020
A Black Lives Matter solidarity march, Jerry Falwell Jr. apologizing for tweet, an Evangelical pastor saying God raised up Trump, and religious leaders in England disagreeing on reopening churches are among today’s curated headlines.
Read, think and learn
By John D. Pierce The July/August issue of Nurturing Faith Journal is chocked full of good stuff — specifically written for this publication. Dan Day’s superb article on Christian nationalism gives historical context and timely insight into the susceptibility of...
You Say ‘I Am Not a Racist’? That’s an Inadequate Response
For members of the biblical faith community, it is not enough to say, ‘I am not a racist.’ As sincere and truthful as that may be on a personal level, there is more to dealing with the problem of racism than being nice to people.
What You Can Learn While ‘Chancel’ Surfing During Pandemic
While nothing fully takes the place of in-person corporate worship, many ministers deserve a lot of affirmation and our support for the ways they’ve adjusted quickly to provide worship and other ministries in a short time frame.
US Prison Population Continues Drop, Racial Disparities Remain
Continuing a multiyear decline, there was a 1.6% decrease in the total prison population in 2018, falling from nearly 1.49 million inmates to nearly 1.47 million, a government report said.
June 8, 2020
Protesters Flood Capitol Hill and Across Washington, Lawmakers Among Them; Parallels to 1963 March on Washington (Roll Call) Mitt Romney Becomes First GOP Senator to Join Protests in D.C. (Washington Post) George Floyd, Who ‘Sparked the Fuse,’ Honored in North...
For Change to Occur, The Privileged Must Be Willing to Listen
The profound pain of our times holds the possibilities for profound change if those of us who are privileged will listen. If life is to become more like what God intends, the voices of all those at a disadvantage must be heard.
Project Spreads Roma Music for the World to Hear It
Music is the heartbeat of Roma communities, yet few people hear the music from this impoverished community. The Roma Voices Project seeks to change that. Its website highlights the music of the Roma people for all to hear.
Look Back | Nothing Personal? The Smiling Face of Racism
With the signing of civil rights legislation in the ’60s, many claimed racism had faded from our collective consciousness. However, others say we now have a ‘smiling racism,’ which often masks more subtle forms of discrimination.
June 5, 2020
Trump’s Approval Slips Where He Can’t Afford to Lose It: Among Evangelicals (New York Times) The Black Christian Leaders Revolted by Trump’s Bible Stunt (New York Magazine) Trump’s Bible Photo Op Splits White Evangelical Loyalists Into Two Camps (The Guardian) Oops –...