BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
True tradition: Healthy growth and change, Part 3
It’s inescapable. All churches have traditions. There are Southern Baptist traditions, and there are groups and varieties within the Southern Baptists with their own brands of tradition. Individual churches develop their own distinct traditions.
Dream bigger
"How could we bless you?"
He looked at me intently as I gathered the courage to reply: "I'd love to go to seminary."
"Done," he said. "You should have dreamed bigger."
Let me tell you, friends—those are some haunting words.
Christ our comforter
Suffering and pain are all too familiar to many of us. Experiencing affliction is part and parcel of what it means to live in a fallen world. Incredibly, much of what we read by Paul in our New Testament was written under very challenging circumstances. The book of Philippians was written from prison, as was Colossians. This passage as well from 2 Corinthians indicates that Paul had faced significant hardships. He recalls in verse 8 “the affliction [he] experienced in Asia,” where he was “so utterly burdened beyond [his] strength that [he] despaired of life itself.”
Reaching the next generation
Many churches are having a difficult time reaching the next generation with the message of Jesus Christ. Not only are churches struggling to connect with young people outside the congregation, but they are also having challenges keeping those who grew up within the church.
CrossWalk 2022: The Fab Four, God’s revival, and beginning again
A CrossWalk 2022 snapshot: 242 students (including 33 graduated seniors and 37 juniors) with 26 congregations participating, with 80 chaperones and 20 staff leaders. Attendance was about 350 total. This year there were revelations of firsts: about half of the attendees were first-time campers, CrossWalk took place on a different campus, and we welcomed a new camp pastor.
The pastoral care trap
Our traditional notion of pastoral care is kryptonite to authentic church revitalization. I realize how provocative that statement is. It stirs instant hyper-alertness. When I am consulting with churches about revitalizing, this inconvenient truth, once grasped, is the most concerning for them. These churches are nervously evaluating whether they have the chutzpah to give up their myriad personal preferences and traditions, whenever necessary, to be hotly missional. That’s the second greatest threat. But the greatest threat is our desperate clinging to pastoral care.
Restarting your revitalization team in your church
The fall is a great time to begin revitalization in your church. It is a time for a fresh start, new calendars, a new school year, and to reset your outlook. It is a perfect time to set sail into new beginnings and horizons. When revitalizing your church, you must choose to move ahead. Some pastors will most likely coast into the fall and not give a second thought to how to leverage the school calendar to bring people together and reset the vision after the summer break.
Wading through Roe
Overall, I find pro-choice arguments unconvincing. They essentially boil down to either, “That baby is not a baby,” or “Okay, it is a baby but we have the right terminate it.” However, there are a few related issues that take a bit more Christian wisdom to address. Here are four questions I believe we should answer carefully.
Multiplying Christ followers
Multiplying = Imitating
My favorite professor in college was Dr. Nyland. He had a way of explaining complex ideas and simplifying them. Without a doubt, he was a gifted teacher. Although educated at Harvard, his Ivy League pedigree never impeded him from relating well to his students.
The trap of hidden sin
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” -Proverbs 28:13
In the 4th grade, I failed a geology test in Science which meant I had to get it signed by a parent. I knew getting a score of 40 on my test wouldn't go over well with my parents, so I resolved on the way home that day that I would never tell my mom or dad about it.
The danger of mission drift
In many conversations I have with pastors, one of the main concerns that frequently comes up is how to lead in an ever-changing context without losing focus of the church’s God-given mission. Many churches are understanding that major changes need to be made in order to adapt to the new times, but in the process of implementing new strategies, there is always the danger of mission drift. Mission drift, as the term indicates, is basically what happens when the church starts to move away from its calling and purpose.
Lives changed as generations of Middle Eastern Christians gathered for annual conference
You may be surprised to know that since 1984, hundreds of Middle Eastern Christians have gathered every summer to worship on one weekend in July. For the past 38 years, the Arabic Baptist Church of Boston has hosted its annual conference around the July 4th weekend, an event that draws attendees from around the world.
The faithfulness of Daniel’s God
In studying the book of Daniel this summer, I noticed that the book indirectly answers two crucial questions. They are questions that address our deepest fears about the future, the next generation, and the changes that come with every new season. They are not questions we would consciously ask, but underneath the anxiety we might experience, one of these two questions may lurk unanswered.
Let us pray, Church
It is time to get real serious about prayer. If our churches don’t pray, we have lost the battle already. If we want to see something spiritually significant happen in our congregations, we have to lead them to the green pastures and still waters of prayer. Let them know that even in the dark valleys, the Good Shepherd offers His ear to His people.
Are the Rolling Stones the key to sanctification?
God isn’t interested in full people, but hungry people. That’s a theme in Scripture. Remember when Gabriel announced Mary’s pregnancy? She responded by singing how God “has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty” (Luke 1:53). Her baby then grew up to proclaim, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt 5:6). God is interested in the spiritually hungry, the poor in spirit, not those who are self-satisfied.
Nimble Church: Part 2
Senior-level pastors of theologically conservative churches seem to be particularly myopic about church revitalization. We tend to see only one legitimate answer to the question, “What do we need to do to revitalize?” We don’t tend to be very inquisitive.
3 big mistakes in follow up
For many, the next few months will be spent on major efforts in summer ministry events. We expend a lot of time and energy making sure that our events connect with our communities. Unfortunately, after the excitement of the event is over, we drop the ball on follow up. Let me unpack three big mistakes often made regarding follow up.
Filled with hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13) Hope. It is a weighty word that carries deep meaning, but it is also a word that is thrown around in everyday language without the true meaning attached to it. “Hope you have a nice day!” “Hope you feel better.” “Hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow!” We find ourselves saying these phrases without much thought and primarily as pleasantries.
Trail blazers
I enjoy walking through the woods. The area I live in has a lot of trails marked with colored “blazes” to keep you from getting lost. I walk almost every morning, so I know the trails well. Many blazes have faded over time and can be challenging to follow, but since I’m familiar with most of the trails, I can find my way even when the blazes are not very clear. But for a hiker new to the area, more clear blazes would be a blessing.
Two great books to use in discipleship
As a Christian and ministry leader, one of my favorite discipleship practices is to give out books that I have read and loved and watch those I disciple be challenged and encouraged as they engage with and apply what they are reading to their lives. Undoubtedly, the Bible needs to be the primary book for every Christian, but as I’m sure you have experienced, reading other books is a great way to invest in your faith and help you grow as a believer.