Recent Articles
Remembering Prince Moore
Born in 1906, he had known all four of his grandparents and one of his great-grandmothers who were formerly enslaved. In a world without radio, television or internet, and very little in the way of reading material, he was marinated in the stories of parents, grandparents and his great-grandmother.
American Complicity in Gaza
Until the United States government gets serious about demanding Israel’s reasonable participation in the peace process — which includes the departure of Netanyahu — then death and destruction will continue to follow.
Gallup Reports Drastic Changes in Beliefs about Vaccines
In 2001, only 6% of respondents believed that vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they were designed to prevent. In 2019, that rate almost doubled to 11%. Currently, one in five (20%) Americans hold that belief.
Alliance of Baptists Prepares for Second Pilgrimage to Montgomery
The Alliance of Baptists is preparing for its second pilgrimage to the three sites of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama.
Reversal of Fortunes: Reimagining Public Education and Defense Spending
Don’t just thank a teacher. Argue for a different definition of national security.
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
The scripture repeatedly guides us to place our trust in God alone, warning us of the perils of misplaced hope. Our modern era is rife with distractions and diversions that promise salvation and security through human institutions and ideologies.
Calling All Purple Church Pastors: End Your Silence
Many purple church pastors remained silent because they made a calculation that Donald Trump would eventually go away. But he didn’t go away, and their silence is one of the reasons why.
A Lament on Evil
Debating who is right and wrong is not of interest to me because defining evil is shaped by our personal worldview. I simply know that my dread was at an all-time high as I wondered if the nice ticketing agent who helped me figure out the problem with the kiosk would be with or against me in an American Civil War.
Gaza – The Sad Reality Versus the Possibility
In the midst of fighting for Israel’s future and confronting the rise of extreme antisemitism, can we still uphold our right to self-defense and Israel’s right to peace and security while also recognizing the humanity and suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters?
New Survey Finds Most Pastors Have Limited ‘Secular’ Work Experience
A new Lifeway survey finds most pastors have limited work experience outside of ministry. Most of the pastors surveyed say their resumes include several church and ministry roles but lack experience in jobs unrelated to ministry.
Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord
This week at our church, we reached a new level of anxiety and defense. A police officer stood inside the door to our sanctuary when choir members arrived for midweek choir practice. I don’t think it was what the psalmist had in mind when singing, “I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.”
On Being a “DEI Hire”
DEI frightens those who assume the political and social arenas are their birthrights. They feel threatened by the unraveling of white affirmative action, which endangers the lie upon which it is based— white supremacy.
We Need Smart Mouths
Life and death, the here and now, and how the world gets around are because our mouths move about. This is a creative tool, so be mindful when you move your lips.
A Better Name
Marilyn and I are adoptive parents. We adopted our three daughters in 1980. I worked for 13 years as an adoption case manager with Polk and Haralson County Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). I know the significance of a name received later in life that bestows a status equal to one given at birth.
CBF Leaders Participate in State Department Refugee Resettlement Efforts
Under the Welcome Corps program, sponsor groups of at least five U.S. citizens commit to providing resettlement services to refugees for at least 90 days. They will assist in locating housing and employment and in registering children in local schools.
Michael Brown’s Murder Ten Years Later
As Good Faith Media joins the Ferguson community, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, and others worldwide to commemorate Michael Brown Jr.’s death this weekend, we want to challenge you to engage in the struggle for equality and justice for individuals and communities often marginalized and forgotten.
Megan Basham Needs to Learn More Black Church History
If Meghan Basham thinks my encouragement to Christian college students to get involved in the struggle for racial justice today is too “activist” or “political,” then she’s really not going to like the historic Black Christian tradition.
“Starve Gaza” is not an Option
As the devastating attacks continue in Gaza, we must show compassion and call for a ceasefire. Along with a ceasefire, we must ensure food reaches Gaza so its people can live and not perish.
Advocacy Beyond Election Years
Whether political change is on the table or not, public witness through protest, prayer, speaking out, and showing up has the important pastoral impact of letting our neighbors know they aren’t alone.
Military Most Favorable U.S. Institution
The U.S. military is the most highly respected institution in the country, according to results from the July 2024 Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.
If We Want to Do Ministry, We Should Start by Paying Attention
But since we need to be fully present to do effective ministry, we might benefit from being more attentive to the here and now. Attention is the first step in sensing the needs of others, recognizing opportunities to speak truth and acting when we see suffering.
The Places Where God Meets Us
The church isn’t the building. But whether intentional or not, our choices about where and how the church gathers are important. They say something about who we are and what we value.
A Pastor’s Reflection on Tim Walz: Governor and Colleague for the Common Good
I didn’t start out as a Tim Walz fan. It took me a while to get there.
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | A Redemptive Life
It is impossible for one individual, however motivated, to undo the suffering and misery sown by another during a lifetime. For the child of such a perpetrator who has made the difficult choice to continue the family name, there is a particular frustration in witnessing the poisonous fruit of the family tree consumed to such ugly effect.
Look Back | Biles Champions Mental Health
After an awkward landing at the vault during the team competition, Biles walked off the mat and decided to withdraw herself from the remaining events. She put on her sweats and cheered on her teammates from the sidelines, later disclosing to reporters that she withdrew for mental health reasons.
The Value of Becoming
We can’t fully celebrate the incarnation without valuing new ways of life that other people experience. Whether or not they align with our perspectives, being inclusive and accepting is essential.
What if Trump Wins?
The Civil Rights movement of the 60’s is an example of faithfully speaking the truth to power. This movement was not an effort to usurp the government’s role but to persuade the institutions of our political life to be just and fair in dealing with all people.
Saint James Baldwin One Hundred Years Later
“Go tell it on the mountain!” James Arthur Baldwin would have been 100 years old on August 2nd. A century later, he has no equal.
What a Good Singer Can Teach a Preacher
My colleague and I grew up in churches where some didn’t think a man–and believe me, it was always a man–had preached unless he was hoarse and soaked in perspiration when he finished.
Americans Split on Ukraine Support
Almost half (48%) of Americans believe the U.S. has a responsibility to continue aiding Ukraine in defense of Russia’s continuing invasion. However, a recent Pew Research survey shows a wide partisan gap.