How Things Have Changed

Social media and the Internet are easy targets. Hardly a day passes that someone fails to blame a societal evil on digital media. Sometimes the criticism is understandable, but we must always remember that these things are only tools. If we let our tools control us, we would give us driving automobiles because they can cause deaths. Yes, they can, but only when used inappropriately.

The digital revolution can be a blessing and, in fact, provides churches with resources that they could not even dream of a decade ago. This delivery system strengthens the work of institutions and organizations that seek to serve the churches in a post-denominational age. These ministries provide services that churches might one time have received from their denominations or judicatories. Let me mention four of these (Disclaimer: I have some association with all of these organizations, but this does not negate their contributions!)

First, denominations once offered social action or “Christian life” agencies to address ethical issues. Many of these have fallen into disrepute for various reasons. Stepping in to fill this gap is the Baptist Center for Ethics and its online presence ethicsdaily.com. Under the leadership of Robert Parham, BCE addresses issues such as immigration, taxation, and interfaith dialogue through its website, daily e-news, video resources, and digital curriculum. BCE and ethicsdaily.com together provide a voice of authority in the areas of ethics, cultural discernment, and social action.

Second, the Associated Baptist Press began as an alternative to a denominational news bureau, but it has become not only a provider of religious news but also opinion and cultural criticism. Since CEO David Wilkinson came on board, ABP has developed new partnerships with other publishing entities and is pursuing a more robust Internet presence, seeking to provide a platform for a variety of voices with different perspectives. It has become the “go to” site for those who want to know what is happening in Baptist life.

Third, in a time that calls for new approaches to theological education, Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas, has reached out geographically, culturally, and electronically to engage new student constituents. President Molly Marshall has been willing to embrace creative approaches to theological education. Starting with new teaching sites in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, CBTS is launching new sites in Michigan and Florida. The seminary has a partnership with the Myanmar Institute of Theology and has started a national Korean contextualized theological education program. The seminary has also made a major commitment to online education and the use of web-based administrative tools.

Fourth, when denominations encountered difficult economic times, early casualties in budget cuts were programs related to church administration, career development, and congregational health. A number of organizations have stepped in to fill that gap. One of these, PinnacleLeadership Associates, was organized by veteran counselor and consultant Mark Tidsworth. Pinnacle offers consulting, coaching, and training services to congregations, clergy, and not-for-profit organizations. Starting in South Carolina, Pinnacle now has ten associates in several states and is expanding its outreach through online means.

In addition to the use of digital media to supplement traditional means of delivering resources and services, all of these entities share a commitment to work with various Baptist bodies and across denominational lines. They have stepped up to help congregations and individuals who seek to be on mission for God in the 21^st century, taking advantages of the opportunities in a changing environment.

Comments

Check these out

Confessions of a Recovering Southern Baptist

I am grateful for my heritage as a Southern Baptist. I was exposed to the Bible and worship from a very young age. I grew up in a church in south Alabama that supported the Cooperative Program of missions giving. This meant that our church had the benefit of being part of a supportive group of local churches and the educational opportunities that afforded. Our state convention provided varied and effective ministries with groups like orphans, ethnic groups, and college students. We supported missionaries at home and abroad. We had good Bible study and training literature (which we paid for, of course). I went to an accredited seminary and paid a remarkably low tuition. Wherever you went on a Sunday morning (in the Southeast and Southwest, at least), you could find a church that sang the familiar hymns and studied the same Bible lesson. In hindsight, I realize that this Southern Baptist utopia was imperfect. There were significant...

The Bible Tells Me So

As I read the story of the Good Samaritan during my devotional today, I was reminded of the times that I have heard the story in the Christian education setting of the local church--as a youngster in primary and intermediate classes (old terminology), as a young adult in college classes, and then as an adult, often teaching the passage myself. The characters and story line are very familiar due to these experiences of Christian education. These are challenging times for Christian education in the church. Like so much of what is happening in the church today, the old forms do not seem to support present needs. What once worked no longer seems to be effective. Christian education or the formation of believers is in a state of flux. In an article on ethicsdaily.com , retired professor Colin Harris addresses this issue. He points out that the period of the 60’s and 70’s “saw the beginnings of a loss of vitality within the educa...

Metaphors of the Kingdom of God

In a recent blog , consultant Seth Godin addresses the power of metaphor. He points out, “The best way to learn a complex idea is to find it living inside something else you already understand.” In other words, “this” is like “that.” “When you see a story, an example, a wonderment,” says Godin, “take a moment to look for the metaphor inside.” Jesus turned this around. In the use of parables, he told a story or provided a metaphor and challenged his hearers to see the truth within. For example, in his teaching on the Kingdom (or Reign) of God in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom to such things as a mustard seed, yeast, a hidden treasure, a net, a king, and a landowner. His hearers are encouraged to use their imaginations to understand something that they had never experienced. He also attempted to shift their perspective so that they might see signs of the Kingdom breaking into their present reality. These are metapho...

The Tragedy of Willow Creek Community Church

File photo of Steve Carter, Heather Larson, and Bill Hybels As Christian brothers and sisters, we need to pray for Willow Creek Community Church. On the eve of the Global Leadership Summit, a worldwide conference sponsored by the church in cooperation with the Willow Creek Association, church leadership imploded as a result of further allegations against former pastor Bill Hybels. Last year, Hybels introduced the team who would assume church leadership upon his retirement--lead pastor Heather Larson and teaching pastor Steve Carter. Although the founding pastor planned to stay on to assist in a time of transition, reports of sexual impropriety involving Hybels surfaced early this year. He accelerated his departure from the church and left the board of the Willow Creek Association. When other charges emerged last week, teaching pastor Carter resigned. On Wednesday evening, Larson and the entire elder board--lay leaders who provide accountability ...

A Future for the Global Leadership Summit?

Craig Groeschel, the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church. The Global Leadership Summit which began as a project of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and its founding pastor, Bill Hybels, over 25 years ago was held this week without Hybels. For several years, the GLS has been now produced by the Willow Creek Association, a spin-off organization and a loose network of churches but Hybels has been its driving force. Attended by thousands at the church facility in South Barrington and broadcast to thousands more at satellite locations, the annual meeting brings together not only evangelical leaders but outstanding speakers from business, charitable organizations, politics, and business. For the first time, Hybels did not appear due to allegations of sexual impropriety brought against him over the past year by former employees, staff members, and business associates. He has already left the church and resigned from the board of t...

Barnabas File

Search This Blog