Guest Blogger

To my SBC brothers and sisters, from the experiences of one local pastor, Most in our church don't think a lot about the SBC. Most are content with our collective mission and happy we give to it at a rate triple what we gave just two years ago. That all changed this past week after the departure of Beth Moore. I'm fielding MANY more questions than I used to, from many people who have never asked before and who I never thought would take a critical interest. In the past week I've responded to emails, talked on the phone, and over private messages on social media with a noticeably … [Read more...] about Perspective on the Ground: Questions from Church Members about Beth Moore’s Departure (by Joel Rainey)

It surprised me, the catch in my throat. In the last year we’d visited that playground almost 100 times. But today was different. A year ago today, the playground equipment was roped off. We brought our own toys from home and played with no other kids. There was an uncertainty and anxiety that hung in the air. Isolation. Today was different. Almost normal. We played with other kids (cousins, masked) and had little worry of what tomorrow’s news may bring. But the specter of last year lingered. It caught in my throat again as we drove home, winding down streets that I had walked every day … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Remember (by Emily Snook)

Until the Reagan presidency, Evangelicals often shied away from activism. Activism is defined as “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action, especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.” It can help bring about justice as well as social, economic, and political change, yet the word itself evokes mixed emotions and reactions within the evangelical community, perhaps because it was often associated with more liberal causes and connoted unbiblical rebellion or images of hippies protesting American military involvement in the Vietnam … [Read more...] about Christians and Activism (by Sonja Dosti)

As awareness of Ravi Zacharias’ sins and abuse spreads on the internet, there have been a number of reactions. There has been a great deal of disgust and anger (and properly so). Some have offered opinions (“I never liked him anyway” or “I’m throwing his books away.”) Others have shared guidelines like the Billy Graham Rule (never be alone with a woman who isn’t your wife (Another version of this rule adds the clause, “without your wife present,” perhaps to give more latitude for ministry). There have been helpful, harmful, and ignorant comments. One thing has struck me: Pastors need to do … [Read more...] about Pastor, be ready to believe (Keith Myer)

Over the last few days, both houses of Virginia’s legislature have passed bills that would end the practice of capital punishment in the Commonwealth. Sen. Scott Surovell (D) of Fairfax as well as Sen. Bill Stanley (R) of Franklin sponsored this bipartisan bill. For me, this is a sign of hope on many levels. There is a love/hate relationship with the death penalty in the United States, and it falls largely upon red and blue party lines. However, I think it would surprise many people to know that there are those who vote blue that strongly believe in capital punishment while there are those … [Read more...] about A Right to Kill? A Pastor’s Perspective on the Death Penalty (Joseph Giles)

To all that this may concern, Normally I would begin a letter such as this with a greeting that clearly explains my hope and prayer that the reader is doing well, encouraged, and in good spirits. In such an instance I would further go on to explain my purpose of the letter to the reader so that not only are my words read but also so that my heart is heard. Unfortunately, I understand that the content of this letter, if read at all, may be misconstrued, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. Nevertheless, I have something to say. Far too many Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have a problem. … [Read more...] about I Have Something to Say: An Open Letter from Deryk Hayes

I stared at the test, willing the pink lines not to appear. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be pregnant again. It was too hard. I couldn’t bear the thought of another miscarriage, and I was terrified of what another birth would do to my already broken body. As the results became clear, and relief washed over me, one thought burned in my brain- “so this is what this feels like.” I knew that if the test had been positive I would have dealt with it. I would have been cautiously happy and hopeful that this time would be different (and by God’s grace less than a year later we did have a second baby, … [Read more...] about The complicated feelings of being both pro-life & pro-Kamala as VP (Emily Snook)