(Extra) Ordinary
An advent reflection by Blake McKinney, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Lee's Summit, Mo.
Ordinary couple. Young people. Nearly married. Expectant parents. Gentle Mary. Pregnant virgin. Pregnant virgin!? Round
What Christmas means to me
Paul Gibson, executive minister for the Great Rivers Region of American Baptist Churches, reflects on "What Christmas Means to Me."
Advent, Aleppo & Bethlehem
An advent reflection on the viral image of Omran Daqneesh, a dazed five-year-old boy found in the rubble in Aleppo, Syria.
Light land, hope illumined enthuses the refugee soul.
Forgotten spaces at highway's end host sojourners cast out of home.
First class, economy and privilege
Words like privilege, entitlement and equal access have suddenly taken on enormous significance in our culture. Until recently, I viewed myself as very egalitarian. But on board
What I learned when Missouri prosecuted Baptist clergy
I don’t know what you were doing the week of Aug. 15, but I had a ringside seat, watching a bit of local history right before my
Worship: Good for what ails you
Reflecting on the recent annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance in Vancouver, British Columbia, I was struck by two things: The deep hunger in my own
Who are we after the Baptist wars?
Our church’s recent quarterly business meeting seemed routine enough (if there is such a thing as a routine business meeting). But very quietly, something historic occurred that
Word Pictures
The wall in my home office is covered with pictures.
Some of the pictures predate me, like the one of my wife’s grandfather’s family and the picture
Fear of disappointing can’t drive pastor
Every day, I walk a fine line between servant leadership and people pleasing. Some days, I get it right. Other days, I can’t even see the line.
Wait on the power of the Spirit
I smiled when I read the news that long-time Baptist journalist and longer-time friend of the family Bill Webb had decided to retire.
I did not smile