Exploring Revolutionary Civility, and Making Kids Happy

August 20, 2020

Exploring Revolutionary Civility: Navigating the Cultural/Political Divide in Sensitive Conversations

by Brian Williams

In today’s very divided social and political culture, conversations about any issue can be challenging and difficult. We are often unsure what topics we can talk about with neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even family members. When sensitive topics do arise, we may not be sure how we might engage in ways that are fruitful, meaningful, and hopeful.

Watch Exploring Revolutionary Civility, a webinar recorded earlier this month, in which Dr. Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA, spoke to Christian leaders about navigating the cultural divide. The theological framework for this pursuit is grounded in Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God as a present reality in our world. As such, followers of Jesus are called to a revolutionary civility which could not be more timely than at this very moment!

Watch the video.

Making Kids Happy: One Balloon at a Time

by MaryBeth Cobble

Since April, the Children’s Ministry team at Manassas Baptist Church has delivered birthday balloons to 70 children throughout Prince William County, and they’re still on the go as each month brings more birthdays to celebrate.

Seminary Now Offers Video Course on Justice and Reconciliation

We see injustice and inequality in our lives and in the world. But how do we work towards justice and reconciliation? Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil’s new video series, Roadmap to Reconciliation, gives you and your church actionable steps to move toward unity, wholeness, and justice. Preview the course.

Take the course and join Dr. Salter McNeil for a live event on September 14.

Seminary Now is a new streaming video platform developed by Northern Seminary, InterVarsity Press, Missio Alliance, and other partners.

Sign up for access to all courses with a free 7-day trial and save 20% (pay only $16/mo or $144/year) by entering “BGAV20” in the Discount Code section. Or learn more about group subscriptions for your church.

FOR YOUR INFO

Grant Application Now Open for This Year's Alma Hunt Offering Allocations

The distribution and allocations for the 2020 Alma Hunt Offering have been altered in order to better assist our churches and organizations in meeting the most pressing needs of the day. Our communities are looking at the church today as never before to ascertain if “that building on the corner” really cares about those outside of their walls. We believe that the changes made to the offering will give our churches the opportunity to do just that. Get more information about this year's Alma Hunt Offering allocations and grants.

Want to donate to the Alma Hunt Offering? This year, the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions is meeting real needs in real time. View allocations, read stories, download resources, and donate online at AlmaHunt.org!

Relief for Our Ministry Partners in Beirut, Lebanon

The world was shocked by the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Our prayers are with the people of Lebanon as they move forward with recovery. Please donate to our international relief efforts in Lebanon and visit the BGAV website for updates.

Kairos Ministries Seeking New Student Info for the Fall

Are there students from your church and community heading off to college in the fall? The BGAV supports a vibrant network of Collegiate and Young Adult ministries on college and university campuses all over Virginia called the Kairos Initiative. If you know a first-year undergrad or transfer student, we would love to reach out to them and invite them to be a part of one of our Kairos ministries in their area. Share your student information and learn more about Kairos.

Favorite Scriptures from the BGAV Staff Family

This summer, every issue of Advance Notice will feature a favorite scripture verse or passage submitted by a member of the BGAV staff. We hope these scriptures will inspire you in your daily walk with Christ and also help you get to know our staff a little better.

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

"I especially love how God describes us in verse 12: his 'chosen ones, holy and beloved.' That's how he sees us! And when I see my brothers and sisters in Christ that way, it's a bit easier to interact with them in kindness and compassion and the other qualities God lists in these verses." - Minda Templeton

Minda is Administrative Assistant for Uptick. She has served with BGAV since 2019.