Month: May 2021

How the Rise of Anti-Asian Hate, COVID-19, and Cancel Culture All Meet at the Foot of the Cross

The pandemic is a microcosm revealing our worst impulses and how we are governed by them. In the summer of 1994, the coolest kid in school wrote seven words in my yearbook that in many ways capture the essence of the Asian American experience, then and today. In dark blue ink and perfect cursive he wrote: “You are the coolest slanty I know.” His words actually made me laugh out loud at first but saddened me an instant later because of their inherent tragedy. The real somatic... Read More

How the Rise of Anti-Asian Hate, Covid and Cancel Culture All Meet at the Foot of the Cross

Covid is a microcosm revealing our worst impulses and how we are governed by them. In the summer of 1994, the coolest kid in school wrote seven words in my yearbook that in many ways capture the essence of the Asian American experience, then and today. In dark blue ink and perfect cursive he wrote: “You are the coolest slanty I know.” His words actually made me laugh out loud at first but saddened me an instant later because of their inherent tragedy. The real somatic element of... Read More

China Sanctions Evangelical Leader Who Called Out Religious Freedom Violations

Johnnie Moore, an outgoing USCIRF commissioner, spoke up to ask governments to stop ignoring Chinese treatment of Uighur Muslims, Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists. Johnnie Moore called China’s recent decision to bar him from entering the country a “publicity stunt” and a sign that Americans’ continued advocacy on behalf of religious minorities is having an effect. After concluding his second term serving on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom... Read More

Orlando doctor pressed marijuana company seeking business in Florida to give $10K to Matt Gaetz campaign

Murphy said he didn’t recall being invited to the fundraiser but ultimately did not travel to Florida for it. It’s unclear who did attend, though the day of the fundraiser, Gaetz’s campaign reported $5,400 in contributions from Bergmann, the co-founder of the marijuana company now known as Parallel, and another $5,400 from Bergmann’s then-wife. Federal campaign donations were capped at $5,400 per candidate per cycle at the time. ... Read More

Four people confirmed dead after firefighting helicopter crashes near Leesburg airport, officials say

Firehawk’s services include firefighting, building power lines, testing military hardware, lifting equipment onto tall buildings and filmmaking. Its vice president told the Orlando Sentinel in 2015 that the company had been flying Black Hawk helicopters since 1995. It was founded as Brainerd Helicopters Inc. in 1973, according to its website. ... Read More

Southern Baptists Prep for Biggest Convention in 24 Years

President J. D. Greear calls for prayers for gospel unity ahead of the Nashville gathering. A year after calling off their annual meeting due to COVID-19, more than 12,600 Southern Baptists plan to attend this year’s in Nashville, the convention’s biggest turnout since 1997. Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, tweeted the pre-registration figures this week, ahead of the June 15–16 event. Registration will be open through... Read More

The Rise and Role of the Executive Pastor Position, Part 1

The rising prominence of this position paralleling the rise of the large church. For centuries the pastor was the leader of all aspects of the congregation; teaching, leading, visitation, missions, etc. Small church sizes made this possible but with the rise of the large and (eventually) mega-churches this model breaks down. In this article, we will look at the relatively recent role of the executive pastor. Jerry Johnson claims the origin of the title "executive pastor" dates to... Read More