BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
Pastors' wives and women’s ministry leaders meet for fellowship
It is beautiful when women gather to encourage one another and worship Jesus together. The leaders of Iglesia Bautista Casa de Restauración in Lawrence, MA and Iglesia Bautista Dios con Nosotros in Glastonbury, CT, had two wonderful opportunities in April for women in their congregations to meet and fellowship.
Nimble
Authentic church revitalization is extremely difficult to pull off. Frankly, it’s unrealistic. If your church wants to authentically revitalize, you’ll need to 1) thoroughly and impartially analyze what is currently broken, 2) reform your church governance structure to guarantee bold, clear, and accountable decision-making, 3) identify a clear and unique local commission, and 4) make the necessary high-risk changes to your church practice and function.
The encouragement women (actually) need: Part 2
Christian women are starving for encouragement that leads to greater and deeper love of Jesus. We are exhausted of platitudes and cliches. Examining Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John chapter 4, we can glean four biblical truths to encourage all women. In The encouragement women (actually) need: Part 1, we discussed the first two biblical truths: Jesus chases after us and Jesus calls us out of hiding. Here, we will look two more encouraging truths from this passage:
A dream is a wish your heart makes
I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams recently. Not dreams you have while you’re sleeping, but the dreams or hopes that you have for yourself. You could also call them desires. The other day in the car my daughters and I were listening to a Disney hits mix and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” came on. And I had the thought, “what dreams or wishes do I have right now? When was the last time I had a dream?”
The encouragement women (actually) need: Part 1
Messages targeting Christian women, whether from books, podcasts, or even (some) pulpits, are often confusing, contradictory, and sometimes even simply unbiblical. Sometimes light hearted attempts at encouraging women result in vague, silly, or unintentionally condescending platitudes.
Racial reconciliation
History began with one family. There was only one human race. How, then, did racial issues develop? What are the root causes, and why are these issues so prevalent in our nation and the church? A TIME magazine article from 2021 reported that metropolitan cities continue to be segregated, although America is more diverse than ever. With a Black population of 80%, Detroit is the most segregated city in the U.S.
Invisible to God?
“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13)
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and as I’ve been quietly reflecting and celebrating AAPI authors and creators, I was struck by a viral quote from actor Steven Yeun. He described his own experience as an Asian American in this way: “Sometimes I wonder if the Asian-American experience is what it’s like when you’re thinking about everyone else, but nobody else is thinking about you.”
What is your church’s guidebook? Healthy growth and change part 2
A necessary question for analyzing the health of your church is: “What are the authoritative instructions that are followed by your church?” Every church follows some set of rules or guidelines. Some churches are very committed to careful adherence to their constitution and bylaws. In some churches, Roberts Rules of Order are the ultimate authority. In newer churches, the church might be following a church planting model or the individual church planter’s vision. The rules and guidelines may be an unwritten set of traditions – “the Baptist way” or “the way we have always done things.”
Make an eternal difference in New England
For the past several months at the Baptist Churches of New England, we have emphasized the importance of ‘multiplying Christ followers’ through our weekly evangelism webinars. Without a doubt, our network of churches must constantly be vigilant and intentional in engaging lostness and making disciples in New England.
Whose church is it? Healthy growth and change part 1
Autonomy. That’s a key value in Baptist circles. We do not want anyone telling our church what to do. In fact, a key question in any church is, “Whose church is it?”
You probably know that the answer to that question can be different in different churches. Some churches belong to the majority of members or even a few key members. Some churches belong to certain committees or a deacon board. Some churches belong to the pastor or church planter.
Redeeming self-care
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” (Galatians 6:4-5 MSG)
Meditate on this short but meaty passage long enough, and you might notice that Paul's charge is nearly impossible to carry out from a place of survival mode.
“Camping out” on the path to church revitalization
When we come to the subject of church revitalization, there is a natural tendency to camp out. This is less than optimal because revitalization is all about continually driving forward with indomitable courage and iconoclastic temperament. Camping out is the opposite. Camping out on a path toward revitalization is the equivalent of attempting turn-by-turn board game strategy in a live online game. It ends up being hopelessly artificial.
Pastor, stay where you are!
I’m approaching my 20th year as a pastor at the same church (nearly twelve years as Senior, six as Associate and two years as Youth Pastor). Over that period of time, I’ve considered moving on a number of times, but with each opportunity the prudent decision was to stay put. The fruit of this longevity has become apparent to me. Let me offer some of the benefits of staying put:
Greater Boston: The most Irish city in America
Among New England's many historical points of interest, one of its most poignant is the Irish Famine Memorial located in a small park on the corner of Washington and School Streets in downtown Boston. Cast bronze sculptures depict two Irish families: one emaciated and clothed in rags, starving to death from the famine caused by potato blight that began in 1845, and another family healthy, well-dressed, and prosperous, representing the estimated 100,000 Irish who escaped the famine by sailing to the port of Boston.
Seeking God wholeheartedly
“Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7). Seeking God is the most essential and rewarding activity for followers of Jesus. In fact, we were made for it.
The art of listening
It is clear that ministry has changed in the wake of the pandemic and as leaders we need to be willing to change with it. One of the most important skills we have to offer is listening!
How should we pray for Ukraine
Just a few weeks ago, Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. There have already been thousands of casualties and more than a million refugees. Meanwhile, the US and NATO have condemned the invasion, but are being exceedingly cautious in their response, fearing another world war.
Diversity is our strength
I’m half South Korean and half Irish (with a little bit of Swedish thrown in). I grew up eating corned beef and cabbage one day, and kimchi and bulgogi another—a child of two worlds. The Christian faith never felt more fitting with one ethnicity over and against the other.
Vermont police chaplain loses position after outside pressure
MONTPELIER, VT. (BP) – Pete “Chap” Taraski’s first six months in Vermont’s state capital has included challenges, both as pastor of Resurrection Baptist Church and a conservative Christian leader in one of the country’s most progressive enclaves.
Making Easter a comeback
According to the National Retail Federation, "80 percent of Americans celebrate Easter and will spend an average of $21 per person on sweets such as chocolate, jellybeans, and more." This tells us that most people are thinking about Easter and what they will be doing on that weekend. The question is, are these people willing to walk through your church doors on Easter? If not, why not? Now is the time to ask these questions.