Holding On
Several months ago Thabiti asked this question on Twitter, “What do you think is the most painful thing in pastoral ministry?” I answered like this, “Seeing a long-time faithful brother or sister walk...
View ArticleThe Calling to Dignity
It’s been my custom to read good Christian books to the members of our church as they trickle in for our mid-week Bible study. For about 5-10 minutes I read aloud as a way to focus us and another small...
View Article4 Reasons We Left the SBC
INTRODUCTION “For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.” () First, I’m not...
View ArticleIs the Fight for Justice Throwing Away Its Shot?
I’m a Hamilton nut! The Broadway musical is on constant rotation in the Anyabwile home. More than that, I feel a great inspiration from it–from beginning to end. Perhaps the third track, “My Shot,”...
View ArticlePolitics and the Christian Faith: Thoughts on John MacArthur’s Statement
A couple of weeks ago, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church shared in an interview with the Falkirk Center at Liberty University, his conversation with President Donald Trump. In that...
View ArticlePastoring Through Polarization
As we enter the last quarter of 2020, it is hard to take in all that this year has brought our way. We’ve had a global pandemic, economic challenges, history’s largest mass protest for racial justice,...
View ArticleA 2017 Presidential Inauguration Prayer
Our gracious Father and God, You are the great ruler over all creation. You are the Lord, You alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it,...
View ArticleThe Gospel & Racial Reconciliation: Book Review
The world seems to be very good at diagnosing problems, but often give solutions that do not work. What is the solution to problems that face our culture? I found myself thinking through this as I read...
View ArticleFragmentary Notes on Mark’s Gospel (Mark 1)
Series Note: As the post title suggests, this series of posts includes fragmentary thoughts on the gospel. It’s not intended as a commentary or full treatment of the texts. It’s some of the fruit of my...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Dr. Korie Edwards
We’re starting a new feature at The Front Porch called “People to Know.” With this feature, we hope to bring onto the porch introductory information about pastors, leaders, scholars, advocates and...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Dr. George Yancey
With our “People to Know” feature, we hope to bring onto the porch introductory information about pastors, leaders, scholars, advocates and practitioners whose work and ministry ought to be read widely...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Dr. Theon Hill
In this week’s “People to Know” post, we continue our series with a focus on Dr. Theon Hill. Dr. Hill is Assistant Professor of Communication at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr. Hill’s...
View ArticleThe Five A’s of Building Healthy Elder Boards: Agreements
A healthy group of local church elders blesses everyone with whom they make contact. The congregation benefits from their biblical leadership and care. The elders themselves benefit from their mutual...
View ArticleThe Five A’s of Building Healthy Elder Boards: Ability
In our last post, we discussed the necessity of theological, practical and vision agreement in building a healthy elder board. Those agreements foster deep unity and common commitment. But agreement...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Pastor Jon Kelly
For some time, the city name “Chicago” has been associated with gun violence and crime. Before the recent news reports of gun violence in African-American communities, Chicago was home to famed...
View ArticleThe Five A’s of Building Healthy Elder Boards: Atmosphere
Building and maintaining healthy elder teams requires a lot of work. The truth is, too often I’m not attending to this work with as much attention as it requires. There’s a real sense in which the lead...
View ArticleThe Five A’s of Building Healthy Elder Boards: Accountability
My mother once had a living room full of plants. She kindled endless fascination in my pre-teen mind as I watched her lovingly tend that makeshift hot house of greenery. She would water them when...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Dr. Curtis Woods
I first met Curtis during a Front Porch pre-conference at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I’d heard his name before and was finally thrilled to shake his hand. But it was much more than a...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Rev. C.J. Rhodes, Jr.
About 100 years ago, one of the best compliments you could receive from an African-American leader from another African-American leader was that you were a “Race man.” Through the twilight of slavery...
View ArticleThe Five A’s of Building Healthy Elder Boards: Assignments
We come now to the concluding post in this series. We’ve suggested that building healthy teams of elders requires giving attention to agreements, abilities, atmosphere and accountability. With this...
View ArticlePeople to Know: Kim Cash Tate
A number of colorful books have been decorating my wife’s bedside and office tables. More than decorating, they’ve been keeping my wife up late hours in the morning giggling, ummming, and smacking her...
View ArticleWhat Deborah Teaches Us about Leadership (Session 14, Just Gospel 2019)
Pastor JD Greear (Summit Church) addresses current issues regarding reconciliation and gender roles using Judges 4. The post What Deborah Teaches Us about Leadership (Session 14, Just Gospel 2019)...
View ArticleAbuse Is a Men’s Issue (Session 20, Just Gospel 2019)
Dr. Kevin Smith, Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, examines 2 Samuel 13 addresses the responsibility of men to prevent the sexual and physical abuse of women. The post...
View ArticleJesus Saves
Not a full week into the new year, a mere six days after bidding good riddance to 2020, we were all thrown into a fresh hell, watching in horror as an insurrectionist mob overran the U.S. Capitol. Five...
View ArticleThe Christian and CRT, an Interlude: The Most Segregated Hour and Liberal...
Every time I read through the “Harvard Story” discussed in our LAST POST, I can’t help but think of our American churches—particularly our theologically conservative, predominately White, churches and...
View Article
