News
Preaching during the Pandemic Part 2: Five More Passages Art Wright, CBFVA Theologian in Residence
July 24, 2020 When the pandemic hit in full force back in March, I shared five Scripture passages that might be helpful for pastors to consider preaching from in our current context. It is now July, and the pandemic rages on, more fiercely than ever in many...
Book Review: God and the Pandemic, by N. T. Wright (2020) By Art Wright, CBFVA Theologian in Residence
July 2020 God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and its Aftermath, by N. T. Wright. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020. 96 pp. $11.00 (pbk). ISBN: 9780310120803. As I write this, the pandemic wears on, continuing to affect life far...
Being Church in a divided world. By: Mark Snipes CBFVA Associate Coordinator
In the age of Covid-19, we are learning that even in a pandemic, congregations can be pushed apart, with ministers in the middle trying to figure out the best way to move forward. As I have spoken with ministers around Virginia, I hear of congregants on both sides of...
Study on poverty and racism produced by CBF and American Baptists several years ago
Click the link below to read! http://cbfva.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/poverty_racism_lessons.pdf
The Body of Christ study produced by CBF North Carolina.
Click the link below to read! http://cbfva.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/The-Body-of-Christ-curriculum.pdf
“It is Solved by Walking”
“It is Solved by Walking” Art Wright CBFVA June 8, 2020 Solvitur ambulando. “It is solved by walking.” It is a Latin phrase that traces its roots to the Greek philosopher Diogenes in the 4th century BCE. When he was challenged with an impossible, metaphysical...
And the Monuments Came Tumbling Down
And the Monuments Came Tumbling Down A Reflection On the Story of Jericho and the White Church By Aaron and Rev. Lauryn Everic I marched today in Richmond, Virginia, the city that was the capital of the confederate south. Monument Avenue runs through downtown and is...
A Biblical view of Justice
A Biblical view of Justice Art Wright Background for leaders: The word “justice” can mean a lot of different things to different people. For some, the word evokes ideas of lawyers, the court system and the criminal justice system. For others, the word calls to mind...
“How long will it be?”: Reflections on Martyrdom in Revelation and Black Lives Today by Art Wright Theologian in Residence, CBF VA
There is a text from the biblical book of Revelation that keeps coming to my mind during these hard days, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. Unfortunately, it is not a good, heartwarming passage that offers easy answers. It does, however, seem to me to speak...
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
Click the button to join the Zoom sessions
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...