BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
The wonder of the incarnation
My favorite Christmas movie is Elf. It might just be my favorite movie period, the only one I can watch over and over. Something about Buddy’s “affinity for elf culture” though he is a human, as well as his innocent unawareness of the fact that he sticks out like...well, like a grown man in an elf hat and yellow tights among the working professionals of New York City, is just so endearing. If you’ve seen the movie, you know that Buddy doesn’t realize he’s a human, though nothing about the miniature elf world he’s grown up in suits him. It isn’t until falling behind in his toy production that he overhears a couple of elves whispering about him: “Well, if he hasn’t figured out he’s a human by now, I don't think he ever will.”
Obstacles to engaging my community: Part 1
In a recent email this caught my eye “your experience . . . caught our attention . . .your skill set, and background mirror our current franchise owners.” I was intrigued, so I kept reading.
What was the franchise offer that they thought would connect with my values and interests? Owning and managing a boxing for fitness franchise! This sounds like a great idea and a great platform for physical fitness, but there is nothing about me that makes one think of boxing! It was like they were speaking a foreign language to me.
Christ is nearer than you think
Christmas will be different this year.
Changes, disruptions and difficulties have marked this year, and now we turn the corner towards a Christmas season that will, for many of us, be one more cruel reminder of how trying this year has been.
A blue (collar) Christmas
It was my father who first called my attention to the visitors in the Christmas story. “Look how the wealthy and highly educated wise men had to travel hundreds of miles, guided only by a star in order to greet the Son of God. And yet, the poor shepherds just doing their jobs were visited by millions of angels and only had to walk down the street.” It was always clear to my dad that the Lord had a special affection for the working class, while he was not all that impressed with the well-spoken “elites.”
Technology is our friend
Many years ago I was at a national meeting and heard Ed Stetzer, a well-known missiologist, say “facts are our friends.” That always stuck with me, and during this pandemic, I have coined the phrase that “technology is our friend!” I know that adjusting to new technology has not been easy, but it certainly has provided a way to interact with our congregations, and I believe we need to embrace it as a “friendly” alternative.
Lessons from The Grinch
In a year of true controversy and arguing with loved ones in person and “friends” on social media about masks, politics and why the Sox traded Mookie, I’ve got one more question that could spark some controversy and heightened feelings:
Which of the Grinch movies is your favorite?
Ten shifts New England churches are making
The metrics of the church scorecard are changing at a fast and furious rate during the pandemic. In the past few months, we have seen drastic shifts in our New England churches as they adapt to their new normal of functioning. Although there are struggles, most churches are showing clear signs of perseverance, persistence, and engagement. Here are ten positive changes our BCNE Church Growth Team has seen in the last few months.
Understanding the enemies of the church
Historically, there have been two great enemies of the church: persecution and heretical teaching. Some might have guessed that one of those two enemies might be the devil. Certainly, the devil is an enemy of the church and desires nothing more than its destruction. The New Testament does not avoid his present reality (Eph 1:19-21, 6:11; 2Tim 2:26). However, when you read the New Testament, the epistles have much more to say concerning the threats of false doctrine and persecution.
Fruitful ministry hides in plain sight
It’s like searching everywhere for your glasses while wearing them on your head, or looking for your cell phone while holding it in your hand: sometimes we overlook fruitful places of ministry located right in front of us. You could say they are hidden in plain sight.
Understanding digital generations
Some experts say that we have five to six generations living on the earth right now. These generations can actually be broken into four digital categories in a technological world. During this year’s pandemic, these categories became evident and naturally shifted people’s perspectives, resulting in the tensions we feel regarding technology and over the way we communicate.
Faith and thanksgiving
Ever since I can remember, Thanksgiving has been my favorite annual holiday. We were a typical New England family that would prepare a typical New England Thanksgiving feast, and as we sat around the table everyone would express one thing they were thankful for. As a young boy I thought it was pretty cool that a federal government would set aside one day each year for its citizens to stop their busy lives and gather with family to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us. This led to a lifelong infatuation with Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower and these courageous folks that travelled across the Atlantic Ocean in the fall of 1620.
When everything falls apart
In 2018 my world imploded spectacularly. It was a series of events that would have made Jerry Springer proud. I’m sure it made the devil cheer. And there was absolutely no hiding it or containing it.
Don’t get me wrong – I had been through the wringer numerous times before. But for a former missionary with a Type A personality, these circumstances were almost more than I could bear. And yet, after a little bit of time and space, I can see how times of incredible suffering lead to God-sized opportunities.
Learning to practice gratitude
The year 2006 began like any other year – slow and steady. But by March, everything began to spiral out of control. My mother unexpectedly passed away while on vacation, my daughter began to have major issues at school, and I found myself the primary care-giver to an aging parent. Everything was overwhelming me, and I just couldn’t seem to get out of a very real funk.
SC Baptist meet New England needs during pandemic
It didn’t take long for New England Baptists to realize that the quarantining was going to last longer than a couple of weeks – and that the climate created by the pandemic was making people in search of hope more open to hearing the Gospel.
But with giving down in most local churches and an indefinite freeze on over $180,000 in evangelism and church planting development funds from national partner NAMB, what could be done?
Know your town: The key to starting ministry in a new location
I was coaching a church planter recently who is soon to move to the community where he is going to plant his life, his family and his sense of mission for years to come. He has sought the Lord for a long time, and is now only days until he lives in the city and plants the church for which God has been preparing him. In our conversation I asked him, “What are you going to do first when you get there and get everything unpacked?”
A woman’s place is in the home
My dear neighbor posted a sign in her yard that says: “A Woman’s Place is in the Resistance.” The sign faces my house so I’m drawn to it every time I go outside or pull into our driveway, and it has sparked so much thought. Is our place in the resistance? What does that even mean? Where is the place of a woman? What about a Christian woman who is a wife and mom? I’m convinced by God’s Word that our place is actually in the home.
BCNE annual meeting
In the opening remarks of the Baptist Convention of New England’s 38th annual meeting, executive director Dr. Terry Dorsett shared the story of a church that has affiliated with the BCNE from another denomination this year and is experiencing a time of revitalization.
Ethnic churches: A new approach
If there is one indisputable truth about churches during these days it is that the cycles of change are happening at a faster and broader rate than ever before. As the environment changes, churches are forced to adapt to new realities at the risk of being ineffective at their missio dei. Ethnic churches need to be not only aware of the pace and intensity of change, but also ready and willing to make important adjustments in order to thrive.
Reflections on the election: Trust Jesus, not politicians
Tomorrow we’ll finally be heading off to the polls to elect the 45th President of the United States. Normally, this would be an enjoyable exercise in democracy for many of us as American citizens. Unlike most of the world, we actually get to choose our leaders. Even so, many Americans (including many Christians) are feeling more stress than joy this time around. Why? Because we have not one, but two flawed candidates of questionable character. Many of us are left wondering: “Are these two really the best we can do?”
Using the church for the community
It was a few years ago. It was hard to believe that we were genuinely considering selling our large beautiful facility, including our 1,100-person 19th century sanctuary. At an annual meeting in our much smaller church chapel, we had an open discussion about the future of our facility. Many expressed Spirit-filled statements of the church being more than a facility. It was a good time of reflecting on who we are without 217 Main Street. At the same time, members expressed the heartfelt blessing that both the location and the beauty of the facility had been for us. It was a spiritually mature conversation.