c o n n e c t i o n s
t h e a l l i a n c e o f b a p t i s t s
n e w s l e t t e r
july 9 , 2 0 2 0
By Richard Hester
" What DACA has done is brought us out of the shadows and allowed us to pursue our careers. We can’t go back into the shadows. We just can’t. We have to find a solution that is going to allow us to contribute even more. And allow us to help make this country a better place.” (DACA medical student Blanca Morales)




(Photo from aamc.org )
Church is a Verb
By Brian Crisp
"The weakness in the call for churches to open is that it is unable to recognize the critical work in which people of faith are currently involved, and it treats church as a noun. If the church is reduced to only a place, then the vibrancy that she needs to be justice and hope in the world will also be bound to one hour each week. This inability to witness this work of justice and the focusing on the importance of place is rooted in patriarchy, capitalism, and white supremacy (a rather deadly interconnected trinity)."

Reviewed by Leah Grundset Davis
As a gift from CAIRN (Clergy Affiliated Information and Resource Network), Alliance-endorsed chaplains and pastors serving in affiliated congregations will receive a complimentary copy of Mahan's book in the mail. If you would like to purchase this book, you can find it here .

" We get to read letters and ideas about church and pastoring from someone who has lived it, dreamed it, and reflected on it from decades of ministry. Mahan's pastoral voice leaps off every page as he considers the reframes that matter in the life of pastor and church and world."

By Bob Luiz Botelho
As we wrap up PRIDE month, the work of intersectionality goes on. This story is from Active Hope Partner Aliança de Batistas do Brasil .

“And then I had to make choices: choose the rigor of the biblical text or myself. And I needed to understand that the sacred is my life. More than the text. My life is sacred to me. Jesus died for me and not for the book. Jesus overcame death because of my body and not because of the book. In fact, the aim of the book is to tell the world the story of a God who becomes a human being so that everyone has life. How will this book destroy my existence?"

The Summer Sessions: Clergy Invited to Engage Through Focused Content
By Stephanie True Cooper
" There is something about gathering with people who just get it. There’s no need to explain what it is you do. They understand it. The ease that comes with that can provide relief and comfort."


For the full schedule and list of facilitators for the Clergy Debriefing Rooms Summer Sessions, click here.
C ondolences to the Clemons Family
By The Alliance Staff
Hardy Clemons passed away on July 1 in San Antonio, Texas from complications with COVID-19. Hardy was instrumental in progressive Baptist life, serving churches in Texas and South Carolina.

The impact of Hardy’s ministry has been felt and shared since his death. Michelle McClendon shared the following reflection:

“ As a young pastor, graduating from seminary in the middle of the Baptist controversies that put the ordination of women as a focal point, it was by nothing short of the grace of God that I was called as youth minister to Second Baptist Church Lubbock TX where Hardy had been pastor since 1968. I know of no other pastor in Baptist life who did more to champion the theological ‘rightness’ of women in ministry, and who consistently fostered the ministries of women pastors..."


(photo from Baptist News Global )
Stay up to date on what's happening around the Alliance:

  • Do you have a prayer request you want to share with the wider Alliance community? Submit it here.

  • The Alliance's Chaplains Sounding Room has changed to every other Friday for the summer, beginning on July 10. Register here.

  • Stay up to date with our ministry partners around the world by reading "Field Notes."


  • This weekend, July 10-12, is Black Lives Matter Sabbath weekend. Learn more about how you and your congregation can participate.

  • Are you looking for an anti-racism resource for your congregation? Alliance President Michael-Ray Mathews recommends Trouble the Water, a resource he co-edited with Cody Sanders and Mari Onwubuariri. Find it here.
Calendar

July 10
12p EDT/11a CDT

July 11
Board of Directors Meeting

July 13
12p EDT/11a CDT

July 20
12p EDT/11a CDT

July 24
12p EDT/11a CDT

July 20
12p EDT/11a CDT
The Alliance of Baptists is a vibrant movement of people, faith communities and ministry partners who are deeply passionate about ecumenism, partnership in mission, relentless hospitality and racial and social justice.
Leadership Team
Paula Clayton Dempsey , director of partnership relations
Carole Collins , director of operations & finance
 
Staff
Stephanie True Cooper , acting communications specialist
Brooklyn Lovelace , social media specialist
Cathy McGaughey , operations specialist
Kristy Pullen , website specialist
Jason Smith , congregational engagement specialist