Book Review: Between Life and Death
Back in the fall of 2018, I was processing feelings of grief after losing my grandfather. He passed away at home surrounded by family and friends. I remember cherishing these final moments with him. In the days after his memorial service, I remember encountering the work of Kathryn Butler on Oceans Rise. I honestly can’t recall how I stumbled upon this blog, but her forthcoming book Between Life and Death caught my attention. I was...
2019 National Convention: A Brief Recap
Over 4,400 Free Will Baptists gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, three weeks ago for our 83rd National Association meeting. Seven of eight Forum contributors were able to attend. Like most delegates and attendees, we kept busy attending business, competition, giving seminars, working booths in the Exhibit Hall, and enjoying fellowship with old friends. This year’s Convention post will be slightly different from previous years as we will...
Ministering to High-risk Teenagers
I’ve had the privilege of serving on staff in three different churches. In many ways, the churches couldn’t be more different. The first was a growing congregation in northern Alabama that ministers largely to middle-class families. The second was in eastern North Carolina. By many standards, this church is large and continues to grow. The make-up of the church is middle-to-upper middle class. Because of various Christian schools in...
Biblical Complementarianism: A Brief Introduction
“It’s hard to be a woman.” Such a simple statement is probably as controversial as it is ambiguous. Does it mean that it is hard to be a woman because men marginalize and oppress women? Does it mean that it is hard to be a woman because of the constant possibility of sexual assault? Does it mean that, in order to have a fulfilling life, women have to be successful career women, perfect mothers, and ideal wives all at the same time?...
Maximizing the Midsize Church: An Interview with David Peter
How big is your church? This question has been asked of all pastors by fellow pastors, neighbors, family members, and often on denominational reporting forms (just to name a few instances). I’ve often thought the question itself is consequential and meaningful but not for the reasons people often think. Church size is not just about a pastor or a congregation’s past or present faithfulness. It is also intimately connected to our...
Phillis Wheatley: A Culturally Confident Believer (Part II/II)
by Frank Thornsbury Phillis Wheatley was a culturally confident believer[1] who wielded considerable influence as a poetess in early America. In a previous installment of this brief biographical sketch, we considered the spirited war poetry that won her the admiration of George Washington, as well as that of his officers and of the American public. From there we asked, “What brought Phillis Wheatley to the point of becoming the...
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