Voices...

Social Media: How Churches are Staying Relevant and Connected

By Aretha R. Flucker

Many faith leaders who have grown accustomed to the joy of building community and sharing the good news with an eager crowd on Sunday mornings have discovered that they share an unsettling trend in common – a decline in regular attendance. The growing number of individuals who are attending church less often is not a new phenomenon. For well over a decade, church attendance has declined substantially. Even individuals who were once present every Sunday are attending less often. Travel, jobs, schedules and other responsibilities occupy much of how we spend our time. For some, attending church has fallen very low on the totem pole. Many Millennials and Generation Z’s are choosing to lead their own spiritual formation and do not see the benefit of belonging to a particular community of faith. Even more unsettling, the nones – individuals who do not consider themselves to be affiliated with any religion – are quickly increasing in number.

So, what does all of this mean for faith leaders? It is an opportunity to reimagine how we do ministry. Rather than hoping things will improve on their own, we can find our niches in this evolving landscape. We live in a consumer-driven society in which everyone is accustomed to having access to everything at their fingertips. With these realities considered, sometimes the only feasible way to stay connected to our friends, family, children, jobs and communities is through technology...

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Advocacy...

The Word is Resistance Podcast Features Alliance Member Drew Bongiovanni

What do our sacred texts have to teach us about living, surviving, even thriving, in the context of empire, tyranny, violence, repression - the times in which we are living today? What do they have to teach us who are white folks, about our role in resistance, in showing up, in liberation? They teach us this:

Our traditions were made for these times. They come from these times. We have resources in our texts, our practices, to help us right now. We can reclaim our stories and re-tell them to nourish our resistance against white supremacy and our work for collective liberation.

Every week The Word is Resistance podcast explores the Christian lectionary for tools of resistance. This week's guest will be Alliance of Baptists member Drew Bongiovanni.

You can listen to The Word is Resistance podcast on Apple Podcasts , Soundcloud , Stitcher , or Tune In .

COVID-19 resources

As church communities and people of faith seek to navigate these days, here are two very helpful resources for community leaders:

The first is an article published by Yes! Solutions Journalism, Facing COVID-19 With Community Instead of Fear : "As the coronavirus spreads anxiety and panic across the globe, people are finding ways to share information and support each other."

And second, the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches has shared helpful information for churches deciding how to respond and recommendations on gatherings.

Faith Leaders:

Sign On to Oppose Harmful Points-Based Immigration System

Right now, Members of Congress are considering an immoral “merit” or points-based immigration system. As people of faith, we recognize the inherent dignity of all people and families - and reject any proposal that commodifies individuals or denies protection to people based on arbitrary evaluations. Any proposal should strengthen family unity, modernize the family immigration system, and remove barriers to immigrants seeking to adjust their status.

Leaders of the Church World Service are asking faith leaders to sign on to this important letter by COB Friday, March 20th in support of our current family-based immigration system and diversity immigrant visa program which have helped to create the rich, vibrant, and multicultural U.S. communities of today.

Thank you for taking action - and please share this letter with your faith networks!

Molly Marshall to speak at Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.

Dr. Molly Marshall, retiring president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, will deliver the William M. Johnson Lectures at congregational partner, Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29.

During her visit, Crescent Hill Baptist will honor the life and work of Dr. Marshall, who will retire in early summer. She began her academic career in Louisville at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she taught theology from 1984-1995.

Reservations can be made and more information can be found via Eventbrite or by calling the church office at 502-896-4425.