“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4) Who are your favorite characters in the Christmas story? Shepherds, wise men, the holy family, maybe even Elizabeth or Zechariah? I bet you didn’t name John the Baptist. Yet John is a central character in the…
“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord…” (Isaiah 40:3) In a normal year, our family’s preparation for Christmas involves several elements: Retrieving Christmas decorations from the attic Thanksgiving weekend and adorning every room in our house with Kim’s magic decorating touch. Sharing gift lists with extended family members and making…
From the Nov-Dec issue of Nurturing Faith Journal By Larry Hovis, CBFNC executive coordinator As I was growing up in the same town as my widowed grandmother who lived with her two sisters, these three women exerted a profound influence on my father, my sister and me. To earn a living, my grandmother ran…
At the CBFNC Annual Business Meeting earlier this year, participants approved changes to the Bylaws that will create 14 ministry teams to lead CBFNC ministries in collaboration with the Coordinating Council and CBFNC staff. The Nominating Team is requesting recommendations for positions related to these teams. You may recommend yourself or someone else. To submit a…
By Jeff Mathis Pastor, First Baptist-Sylva Here is a true statement: Some of us will be displeased with the results of the election. What’s less certain, First Baptist Church, is whether we’ll be displeased with one another. I know. I’m understating it. The word ‘displeased’ doesn’t begin to capture the range of emotions people feel…
By Scott Hudgins Director of CBFNC’s Helping Pastors Thrive Program Anger and no one can heal it. Slides through the metal detector. Lives like a mole in a motel. A slide in a slide projector. The cool, cool river. Sweeps the wild, white ocean. The rage of love turns inward, to prayers of deep devotion.…
By Seth Hix CBFNC Associate Coordinator For the past 32 weeks most of our CBFNC congregations have been worshiping in a virtual, hybrid or outdoor setting. These seven months have required church leaders and pastors to think creatively in planning worship services for Holy Week, Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation celebrations, communion, baby dedications, baptisms and…
By Mary Kaylor CBFNC Associate Coordinator About two weeks ago, Helen Reddy passed away. Many remember her as the Grammy winning ‘I Am Woman’ singer. Her words struck a chord with listeners, becoming a rallying cry for the women’s liberation movement and reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of 1972.…
By Amanda Atkin, associate minister of Faith Formation Greystone Baptist Church I was sitting in the sanctuary alone one Sunday afternoon, surrounded by the remnants of the Children’s Musical. It was wonderful; I was so proud of the kids. But as I reflected on the experience, I must confess I was touched by something a…
First Baptist-Black Mountain is another CBFNC partner church providing a ministry that has recently joined the Welcome House Community Network in living out the call Jesus gave us to welcome strangers. In partnership with other churches and volunteers of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, First-Black Mountain provides emergency shelter for the homeless in the winter…