Opinion

Word & Way is officially a Baptist newspaper covering Baptist life not only in Missouri but the adjacent Midwest. It tells Baptist stories originating in places like Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa and Illinois in the spirit of finding common ground among cooperating Baptists.

To merely communicate a gospel or a congregation that focuses on being palatable is likely to set the standard too low. Outsiders can easily spot a congregation that is either church-light or Christian-light. Entertainment alone has a way of being spiritually unsatisfying. The exercise of faith is meaningful, and it should never be cast otherwise, even to attract outsiders.

Over time, praying the Jesus way roots out our tiny, timid and unworthy goals and gradually aligns us with God’s heart and God’s purposes.

Benevolence ministries have been an expression of churches since the first century when congregations assisted other churches, some of them far away on the early mission field. Early Christians looked out for each other with care. Jesus advocated for the needy indiscriminatingly.

For churches interested in meeting human needs around them and beyond, here are three guidelines.

A church social justice committee can keep members informed and educated on issues confronting the community and can work with social justice committees of other congregations to have a powerful impact.

Think about all aspects of retirement as you plan. Include giving time and talents, as well as money, to ensure maximum productivity and maximum joy.

No, the title of this column does not imply that your pastor is illiterate. No offense intended. My challenge is that all of us pastors need to read wider — much wider than we normally do.

It has become increasingly clear that the unrest in Ferguson is more than a protest over the killing of a young black man. The community is displaying pent-up anger in a situation where a majority of residents claim to have little to say in the governing of their community or in policing it. They believe mistrust - racial mistrust - runs deep, and the current unrest seems to confirm it.

Sometimes, God will allow the disruptions to remind us that we are not in charge. If things always go our way, we never learn patience. If our human-contrived security is enough, we never learn to trust God.

Take it from me. We never graduate from the school of trusting God. In fact, there is probably a class starting soon, near you!

The old joke goes, “Baptists believe the Bible; they just don’t know what is says!” In my more mature years, I’ve stopped worrying whether or not people take the Bible literally and started asking if they take it seriously.