News
Connected Mission in a Disconnected World
by Mark Snipes, CBFVA Associate Coordinator In a world that looks and acts drastically different than it did three months ago, the way that the church goes about living out its mission in the world also looks drastically different. Most churches thrive by...
Meeting CHURCH Again for the First Time
Meeting CHURCH Again for the First Time by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator In his seminal work Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg describes his personal journey from understanding the Jesus he was taught about in Sunday school during childhood, his...
Don’t Waste a Crisis by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator
As I write this article, our world continues in lockdown mode in its effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The crisis seems far from over; the toll in terms of lives lost, jobs furloughed or cut, retirement funds pummeled, etc., is staggering. This pandemic is...
PODCAST: Churches, Clergy, and Family Systems Theory in the COVID-19 Era by Art Wright
April 27, 2020 Drs. Tracy Hartman and Steve Booth join Art Wright to discuss the challenge of leading churches right now. Tracy and Steve share insights gleaned from Family Systems Theory to encourage and support pastors and key leaders in congregations. The...
Sure Could Use a Little Good News by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator
Some days all I hear, it seems, is bad news. The COVID-19 pandemic keeps us on edge as warranted concerns dominate media headlines. We are told to stay home, maintain appropriate “social distance,” avoid large gatherings, wash our hands frequently, work from home if...
Faithful and True by Dayne Schoonmaker
Dayna Schoonmaker is a Wake Forest University Divinity School grad, and she is the wife of Noel Schoonmaker, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Richmond. She wrote a series of devotions for her church during this season of quarantine. Now, she Dayna has written...
Before and After Devotional by Dayna Schoonmaker
Dayna Schoonmaker is a Wake Forest University Divinity School grad, and she is the wife of Noel Schoonmaker, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Richmond. She wrote a series of devotions for her church during this season of quarantine. Now, she Dayna has written...
Money Matters
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Easter is Coming . . . Isn’t It? by Art Wright
April 8, 2020 This week it has been hard for me to remember that we are in the midst of the most sacred time of the church calendar. Without our usual routine of gathering together physically for worship for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, Holy...
PODCAST: Church Finances during the Pandemic: Navigating the Financial Fallout, the CARES Act, and Making Tough Decisions
Listen in as Art Wright, Theologian in Residence for CBF Virginia talks to Steve Law, a trusted consultant for church finances and administration. They discuss how churches can navigate the economic fallout of the pandemic, including how to encourage members to...
Resources from Michael Cheuk
Michael Cheuk, CBFVA's Moderator, has produced a resource for churches: A QUICK GUIDE of (mostly free) ONLINE TOOLS to DO CHURCH DURING THE PANDEMIC LIVESTREAM SERVICES How to Live Stream Your Services for Free...
Devotionals for Quarantine
Dayna Schoonmaker is a Wake Forest University Divinity School grad, and she is the wife of Noel Schoonmaker, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Richmond. She has written a series of devotions for her church during this season of quarantine. They are excellent,...
A QUICK GUIDE of (mostly free) ONLINE TOOLS to DO CHURCH DURING THE PANDEMIC
A QUICK GUIDE of (mostly free) ONLINE TOOLS to DO CHURCH DURING THE PANDEMIC LIVESTREAM SERVICES How to Live Stream Your Services for Free https://www.switcherstudio.com/blog/how-to-livestream-your-church-service-for-free FACEBOOK LIVE ...
Preaching during the Pandemic: Five Passages by Art Wright
March 24, 2020 Preaching should always be contextual. What in the world does it look like to preach in a pandemic, though? The world seems like it has turned upside down in the last couple of weeks. Most of us are wondering what the world will look like a week...
Zoom with Dr. Dan Bagby
On March 26, CBFVA engaged Dr. Dan Bagby, long-time professor of Pastoral Counseling, to resource clergy through two different sessions: 1) Providing Pastoral Care During COVID-19, and 2) Clergy Self-Care During a Pandemic. We recorded the presentation portion of the...
We’re here to help… Assisting Clergy during COVID-19 Crisis!
Pastors and associate pastors, CBFVA is here to walk alongside you as you navigate this strange new world in which we find ourselves. We acknowledge this is a stressful time for clergy—how to care for members when you can’t gather (or gain access to...
PODCAST: Leading Churches during the Coronavirus Pandemic by Art Wright (Rev. Kris Aaron)
https://anchor.fm/cbf-va/episodes/Leading-Churches-during-the-Coronavirus-Pandemic-Rev--Kris-Aaron-ebnmu3/a-a1o1k7q
Spirituality and Self-Isolation in a Pandemic by Art Wright, CBFVA Theologian in Residence
March 19, 2020 When I talk to groups about spirituality, I sketch out a four-fold understanding of the concept. Spirituality is about deep, vital connection: connection to God, to creation, to others, and to our true selves (or our innermost selves). I usually...
March 20, 2020: Friday News
Money Matters
Financial Workshop for Clergy May 7, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (includes lunch) Huguenot Road Baptist Church – North Chesterfield NOTE: We may convert this timely workshop to an online experience if COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. Three Sessions: 1 –...
Pastors’ Roundtable
Senior Pastor Regional Conversations with Dr. Mike Smith NOTE: This event will be postponed if COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. CBFVA is committed to resourcing clergy and congregations. We are pleased to offer Pastors’ Roundtable, a unique opportunity for...
CBFVA Donates Missions Trailer
In 2009, CBFVA made the decision to invest in a missions trailer. This decision was made to resource churches engaging in local mission projects and to haul tools for events like Mission Madness. At the time, there was not an affordable way to rent tools locally, so...
The Coronavirus, Lent, and Following the Way of Jesus Art Wright
March 11, 2020 Like many of us, I have been earnestly striving to understand the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread in the United States and across the globe. At times I have...
March 6, 2020: Friday News
Slow Down Lent Spirituality Blog Series #1 By Art Wright
Lent snuck up on me this year. I had been enjoying the Epiphany season in all of its light and glory, rushing through a typically brutal pace of life and teaching and writing and parenting, and then all of a sudden, we were observing Ash Wednesday. Before...
Journey to the Cross
Journey to the Cross, the devotional series for Lent, returns to d365 starting Ash Wednesday, February 26th and ending on Sunday, April 19th. This series features scripture, prayer, and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. The ecumenical team...
“Learning to Listen: Christian Ethics in an Age of Polarization”
By Art Wright CBFVA January 28, 2020 During the month of January I have been co-leading a series at Huguenot Road Baptist Church called “Learning to Listen: Christian Ethics in an Age of Polarization.” Our weekly discussions have centered around the need for churches...
It’s The Lord’s Table
by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator A meaningful part of my work as CBFVA Coordinator is visiting partner churches across the state, and I make a concerted effort to participate in a variety of worship services during the Season of Advent. Something I witnessed...
Reflecting on My Border Experience
by Terry Maples, CBFVA Coordinator What I saw and felt the first week of December 2019 was heartbreaking, maddening, and inspiring all at the same time. CBF state and regional coordinators gathered for an immigration immersion experience on the Texas/Mexico border. I...
Bridges for Hope Project
Bluefield VA and WVA Bridges for Hope - A Mission Immersion Experience This mission immersion experience will take your group deep inside Appalachia life. During this customizable experience, your group will travel to Southwest Virginia and Eastern West Virginia to...