BCNE News
The latest news from our network of New England churches. Looking for our New England Perspectives Articles? Click here.
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.
The importance of rest
I remember one of the first times I read this passage, I had to stop and read it again. “Wait a minute…You mean we have to work to rest?” It seemed like such an oxymoron to me. Rest should come easy. But as I chewed on this passage, I realized how much truth there was here.
BCNE Board of Directors issues statement on recently released SBC Sexual Abuse Report
On Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the meeting of the Baptist Churches of New England Board of Directors, the most prominent topic of conversation was the recently released Southern Baptist Convention report which included a list of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of sexual abuse.
Revitalizing Your Summer 2022
Summer means different things to different people depending on the stage of life you are in. Summer in New England means we get to enjoy sunshine and amazing sunsets, longer nights, gathering opportunities, connections in our local communities, and don’t forget vacations. But in the life cycle of a church, summer is also a clear pathway into the fall.
Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly
Like many of you, my heart has been broken to see the Southern Baptist Convention all over the news the past few weeks regarding the sexual abuse investigation. While it hurts me to see the denomination painted in such a negative light, it pains me even more to think of the abuse and suffering that has been allowed to go on for so long.
Generosity is about more than money - it’s personal
When I served as pastor of the Washington Baptist Church, Washington, VT, an older couple living on a limited retirement income came to me distraught about the money they were sending to a national non-profit organization to sponsor a child in an impoverished country. They had been sponsoring a girl for some years and always enjoyed the cards, pictures, and notes they received from her.
Are you celebrating the Gospel?
What would you expect Jesus’ first miracle to be? Healing the sick? Raising the dead? Walking on water? Jesus’ first miracle was to make 120-180 gallons of exquisite wine. Jesus attended a wedding in Cana. His mother was also there and playing an official role when a potential disaster happens—they ran out of wine. That doesn’t seem too cataclysmic, but for the custom of that day, weddings would last a week and to run out of wine would be a serious social embarrassment. Lawsuits could be brought against the groom’s family!