Nearly a decade ago Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor in Chicago’s Progressive Baptist Church’s 100-year history. He also holds a PhD in theological studies and has contributed to two books: Letters to a Birmingham Jail and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition. (more…)
The number-one obstacle to improving Faithlife software is a shortage of awesome software developers. And they may be hiding in your church, school, or neighborhood. [Read more…]
By Joseph R. Dodson
There’s a palpable pressure that comes with being a parent.
The great responsibility to meet your children’s needs and train them up in the way they should go can be paralyzing. I feel this burden enough with my first four children; the pressure is compounded—for various reasons—with my fifth child, whom we adopted. [Read more…]
In January 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation was declared. This legal document said that all slaves were now free. But in Texas, someone kept it a secret. They didn’t tell us that we were free. So for a couple of years after the Emancipation Proclamation, we were still in bondage. [Read more…]
After months of social distancing, churches across the nation are planning for reopening their doors. Some churches opened weeks ago, some are planning to reopen over the next few months, and some never closed. But no matter which scenario best describes you, you likely have a lot of questions—questions other church leaders are also asking. [Read more…]
What does the Bible say about the value of women? Does it teach that women are as valuable as men—or does it portray them as somehow more flawed, more suspect, or weak and easily deceived? [Read more…]
Racism is “America’s original sin,” and we reap the wages of that sin still.
The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are shocking and appalling. Their proximity has highlighted the suffering of African Americans that some of us rarely thought about because it didn’t touch us directly. This week we are being asked to consider the consequences of our indifference—of thinking we were on the right side of the issues because we intend to treat everyone equally, espouse the right attitudes, and wish no one harm. [Read more…]
In this excerpt from Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win, John Perkins reminds us that God hates wrongdoing and loves justice—and that our differences should not divide us.
All NFL players aim to shine on the field—but some also seek to shine for Christ, on the field and off. [Read more…]
Faith Communities Today’s most recent report on American congregations revealed something significant—a common denominator in thriving churches. The major trend? Churches that successfully manage change and have a stronger emphasis on innovation will grow. [Read more…]