Haven’t We Given Enough? Reflections on preparing for Lent by Rachel Jones
“Ash to ash. Dust to dust.”[1] Familiar sayings during this time of year as we enter Lent, the 40-day season (not including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and the day before Easter. The word "Lent" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten", which means "lengthen" and...
What I am Learning about Poverty in Appalachia during our Pandemic by Keith Stillwell
Captain Obvious would say, “I am learning that people who did not have enough income to meet their basic needs before the pandemic, are facing even greater challenges during this pandemic.” Years in an economic system that employed many at low pay, benefited some...
Blog – Radical Candor by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator
As an image-conscious Enneagram Pattern 3, I confess radical candor is not my best gift. My tendency to shape-shift to be what the context demands sometimes means I shy away from boldly speaking truth. My son knows my tendency to be and play nice. After reading...
Reflection: Pastors’ School 2021
Reflection by Kris Aaron, Senior Pastor, FBC Bristol On January 28, CBFVA held its annual Pastors’ School. The speaker, Dr. Anna Robbins, and the theme, Recalibrating Faith & Culture in a Post-Pandemic World, were both especially timely and helpful. Dr. Robbins...
Kingdom Work = “Soul” Work Megan Fullerton Strollo, CBFVA Theologian in Residence
I, like many of you I’m sure, tuned in this past Wednesday to watch the inauguration of now President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. An inauguration is an historic occasion any year, as our country progresses ever more toward becoming that “more perfect...
Our Plumb Line Moment by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator
I was a teenager the first time I used a plumb line. My grandparents’ home in Owens Crossroads, AL, blew up when propane gas filled the house. Both my Dad’s parents were outside on opposite sides of the building when the blast occurred, and both ran inside to check on...
A Biblical Basis for Advocacy Work
Art Wright, Williamsburg Baptist Church What was Jesus up to during his earthly ministry? It is a question that all Christians must wrestle with as they try to understand what it means to follow him. We often read stories in the Gospels of what he said and did . . ....
Reflecting on 2020—Lament & Celebration
by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator The opening words of almost every Christmas card and letter we received this year sounded similar: “2020 has been a difficult year.” I lament the devastating impact of COVID-19 – severe illness and death, physical distancing...
“People of God, what are you waiting for?”: Reconsidering the Advent of Christ
By Dr. Megan Strollo, CBFVA’s Theologian in Residence “While [Jesus] was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, ‘Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was...
A Baptist Experience at Union Presbyterian
By Ben Brown “So, tell me what kind of Baptist you are…” It was orientation day for the DMin program at Union Presbyterian, and we were channeled into breakout groups for brief introductions. I had introduced myself, and I was the only Baptist in the small group. “Not...