BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
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.
Prophesying out of their own hearts
Scrolling through Instagram the other day, I landed on a post that was both startling and encouraging. It was written by a Christian woman I follow and contained forthright words of biblical wisdom targeted to women. In essence, she called out our recent memorials of glass-ceiling-crushers as idolatry.
Leaf lessons
Most of us have favorite routes that take us to and from work, church, and the grocery store. We know when to speed up and slow down, when the road curves, or where traffic backs up. No map app is needed on these trips. But during this season, I am astounded as trees shed leaves and see the new revelation of hidden gems. Structures, scenic views, a helpful business, or just a fun object seem to jump out at me.
The good and bad seasons
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Not only are the leaves ablaze with color, reminding us of God’s creativity, but there is a crispness in the air that seems to make everyone joyful.
BCNE launches new church planting partnerships led by Hal Haller
The Baptist Convention of New England is creating a new pathway to facilitate direct church planting partnerships between established local churches and church planters who want to work in nearby areas.
Where do you find security?
Autumn leaves dancing in the breeze. An apple pie baking in the oven. The crack of a baseball bat during a Little League game. A freshly bathed baby. Ocean fog rolling in during late afternoon. The ringing bells of the ice cream truck. These sights, smells and sounds stir up joyful memories.
If you love your pastor, do these (free) things
Before I became a pastor, I used to attend church every Sunday and watch the pastor on stage and think, “Wow, what a great job he has! He must really enjoy it!” And because I thought he had an amazing job, I never really told him how amazing he was or that I thought he was doing a great job. I just sort of assumed that he knew.
Becoming an inefficiency expert in relationships
COVID-19 totally changed my pastoral rhythms. It seemed like the weekly tasks quadrupled! I felt like what was once 45-50 hours per week in a pre-COVID world became 60 or 70 hours per week in spring and summer. I learned to cut corners and do in 10 minutes what once took 15. Because traffic was less dense, I could get to a spot in 30 minutes that once took 50. Every trip and every task became an area where I was looking to save time and energy — get things done with excellency but increased attention to efficiency. I felt like one of those bike riders in the Tour de France, speeding downhill through the Alps, trying to lean into the bends and turns just right at terrifyingly blistering speeds, saving inches to beat an opponent by seconds or less.
Church finances during a pandemic
Many churches have experienced extraordinary giving amidst the pandemic. Instead of retreat, some churches saw generosity. Why? Because people experienced at a very personal level the purpose for which the church exists — worship in a caring community that models love and compassion. Pastors and other church leaders took initiative to serve their communities. They led by example. The actions of the church were driven by a commitment to the Kingdom of God. Church leaders explored every possible platform to continue engaging in worship, Bible study and community building.
The power of a story
Narratives can be very powerful. Good stories can give you great joy, produce awe and fear, or make you feel a sense of heroism. What’s more, they can help you become more courageous, spark great ideas and produce ambition. Good stories can also help teach Truth.
Many happy returns!
There are many things that I love about being a Christian. The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting have always been my favorites, but lately I have grown to truly appreciate the blessing of the “happy return.” That is, after I have gone astray, wandering into all kinds of worthless distractions and selfish indulgences, I then come to my senses and long to return to God. The Gospel gives me the great assurance that I can get up quickly and return happily to my heavenly Father. I don’t even need to grovel or slink back under cover of night.
COVID brings lasting changes to Baptist Convention of New England
Six months after COVID began to escalate in the United States, pandemic-related changes are continuing to create ripples that affect the Baptist Convention of New England.
Should Christians follow “the science”?
During the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a tremendous amount of pressure upon all of us to “follow the science.” Our governmental policies and our individual actions are supposed to be prescribed by medical science. But now that the initial panic has largely subsided, it is time for some cool-headed reflection. Should it be a goal for Christians to follow the science?
Kingdom collaboration: raising, maintaining and honoring partners
Anything Kingdom-sized in our lives and ministries will require Kingdom collaboration. While I have learned so much over the past twelve years of church planting, including four years of planting in New England, that one reality would be near the top of my list.
God’s judgment is our hope
One evening eight years ago myself and a few others sat down for dinner with a woman who was about to cross a lifeless border, pass through a foreboding customs office, board a worn-out city bus, and take a journey that would likely end in death.
Come over to Europe and help us
The Bible records how the Gospel was first preached in Europe. While on his second missionary journey, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia (modern Northern Greece), who called out to him, “Come over and help us!” And Luke the physician, wrote, “. . .we immediately looked for a way to go to Macedonia, because we were convinced that God had called us to tell the people there the good news.” (Acts 16:10)