Brian Kaylor

How to Measure Journalism

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 01:27:00 +0000

A Baptist blogger in Montana wrote a critical post attacking me for my recent Word&Way piece They Shall Know We Are Christians By ... Our Blogs? J.D. Hall, who is quoted in the piece, claimed that his blog does true journalism and Word&Way does not. How does he measure that? By looking at web traffic.

Seriously.

He thinks that whoever gets the most clicks must be the most truthful and journalistic. I guess now that we have this standard we need to rewrite the Bible. Joshua and Caleb aren't heroes but losers whose opinion received only one-fifth as many votes as the alternative. God should've have listened to the side with the most clicks. And that Jesus guy is definitely a loser because he couldn't get as many clicks as Barabbas. Clearly we should recognize that Barabbas was doing the work of the real Messiah.

Or maybe we shouldn't judge truth by clicks. Maybe we shouldn't judge truth with a popularity contest.

It's true his site gets a lot more traffic. But, as scholarly research on media and online behavior often finds, there is not necessarily a correlation between accuracy and clicks. (That was actually a point in my Word&Way article.) I learned this since I've studied journalism.

I have a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Missouri. And I served as an assistant professor at James Madison University, where among the courses I taught were ones on media. Additionally, I have received over two dozen journalism awards (not counting my awards for books or academic writing). And Word&Way has received over 140 journalism awards. So, yes, we know a few things about journalism.

In his post, Hall inaccurately accuses me of errors. Ironically, he does so in a post riddled with errors. I'll note a few:

* He starts off by claiming he "received correspondence" from me "several months ago." His post is dated March 20, 2019. My first email to him (which he includes as a screenshot in his post) is from February 14, 2019. I think journalists would generally call that one month ago.

* Next, he claimed I hadn't actually reported on Southwest Baptist University firing Clint Bass for his alleged misconduct. Hall wrote, "Word and Way has not published the details of Bass’ supposed gross behavior errors. In other words, Kaylor hasn’t done his job as a journalist. He hasn’t researched the matter and then reported on it."

To the contrary, we did report this. On Dec. 21, we published a report that detailed the behavior that administrators said justified Bass's dismissal. And we published follow-up reports on this story (see here, here, here, and here). Turns out we have been researching and reporting on this story, just as journalists should do.

* He insists, as he did in earlier emails I quoted in my article, that tone doesn't matter. Yet, he's wrong. A key difference between objective journalism and biased writings is the tone. That's why I wrote about the tone of Christian blogs. And that's why I kept asking Hall about tone (he seems confused about that). I didn't need information about SBU from him as I already had that. Instead, I was talking to him about a piece I was writing about tone. It seems the tone of Christians online sometimes hurts the Christian witness. Tone matters.

* He appears to think I'm doing the bidding of the Missouri Baptist Convention. In emails last month he even suggested they had put me up to asking him questions. In his post, he claimed, "Word and Way is the publicity arm of the left-wing of the Missouri Baptist Convention." I don't think there is a left-wing of the MBC. But, regardless, Word&Way is an independent press. We are not owned or operated by the MBC, and I do not report to them.

* Hall wrote: "Kaylor’s article is replete with untruths. These include that I 'sent critical messages' to Braxton Caner, as though I messaged him privately. I responded to a public Twitter feed..."

I never said he sent critical private messages. Just critical messages. And that is actually true, as he went on to admit.

* Later, Hall wrote: "Kaylor claims that I left the SBC for being 'lukewarm.' I would like to know where those quotation marks came from. ... I certainly have never said – nor even come close to it – that we left the SBC because it isn't Calvinistic enough, as Kaylor says. ... Had Kaylor been more interested in researching facts than talking about his feelings, he could have read our statement on the subject or listened to the sermon below. Claiming that we left the SBC over Calvinism is 100% fabrication, and speaks to the level of journalistic integrity present in the Word and Way."

The word 'lukewarm' is a quote from a post he wrote on his blog titled "Why I've Left the Convention." That post also includes six references to "Calvinist," "Calvinists," or "Calvinism" as he expressed his frustration at SBC leaders for working against Calvinists and Calvinism. Like a journalist should do, I read his writings and reported on them.

I could list more, but it's clear his post is quite a mess. (Note: Hall also complains about my Word&Way piece saying his site "includes anti-Semitic tropes," but I will address that more fully in another post.)

So, yes, when it comes to clicks and web traffic, his site beats mine by a massive landslide. But when it comes to who follows journalistic principles, the verdict swings in the other direction.

'Boycott Bowl' as Prophetic Lament

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 22:42:00 +0000

As a couple of teams played in some sort of football game on Sunday, the people of New Orleans responded with a form of prophetic lament. This "Boycott Bowl" came after the now-infamous blown call that kept the New Orleans Saints out of the big game.

Embed from Getty Images

In the face of a clear injustice, thousands of people took to the streets for their own party - kind of like an early Mardi Gras. Sure, they were angry and upset, but rather than sit silently at home (and, even worse, sit at home and watch that corrupt game), they instead gathered to publicly lament and protest as a community. In doing so, they captured a biblical idea of prophetic lament (seems appropriate for a team called the "Saints").

"The laments in the books of Psalms and Lamentations are all an expression of grief but they are also an expression of hope," explained Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann. "They are an insistence that things cannot remain this way and they must be changed. Such prayers are partly an address to God but they are also a communal resolve to hang in and take transformative action. Unless that kind of grief and rage and anger is put to speech, it can never become energy. So I believe the transformative function of such prayers is that it transforms energy and rage into positive energy."

The Saints fans proved this well. They drew attention to the injustice with their massive event, which was apparently more interesting that the boring game they protested (I didn't watch it either). They also raised more than $65,000 to support parks and recreation programs in their city. Far more than just a pity party, this gathering brought healing to the city and told the powers that be that the people of New Orleans refuse to just accept the broken reality.

In the face of injustice, may we find the faith to come together as a community for creative, prophetic lament.

Walter Brueggemann

Discussing Education & Racial Justice with Samuel Tolbert

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 22:52:00 +0000

The 52nd episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Samuel Tolbert, president of the National Baptist Convention of America, at a meeting of the North American Baptist Fellowship in Orlando, Fla. He discusses the work of NBCA, his 35-year tenure as pastor at his home church, and the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He also talks about the "Angela Project" gathering that will be held June 19 in Birmingham, Ala. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Samuel Tolbert online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Dutch Revival

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 00:12:00 +0000

A revival broke out in the Netherlands recently - and its focus should capture our attention. For 96 days, a Dutch church has held a continuous worship service. Around the clock for more than three months! This remarkable service required the assistance of more than 1,000 ministers.

And why did they hold this service? Why was the Spirit moving so long? To protect a refugee family.

The Dutch government was going to deport a refugee family back to Armenia. But the Netherlands has a rule that it will not arrest people during a religious service. So, Bethel Church stepped up and starting housing the family while holding a nonstop worship service. That's love of God and neighbors! That's true worship!

The service ended after the government changed its mind about the family and up to 700 other refugee families. Love won!

Although the service has ended after 96 days, one of the pastors who led the effort sees more coming from this revival.

"This is just the beginning," Derk Stegeman told the New York Times. "I hope it's a new way of being a church - a new way of having an impact on society, a new way of standing up for vulnerable people."

Amen! May we see more radical acts of worship!

Discussing Missions, Advocacy & Racism with Suzii Paynter

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 19:44:00 +0000

The 51st episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Suzii Paynter, retiring executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, at a meeting of the North American Baptist Fellowship in Orlando, Fla. She discusses her work at CBF, the call to Christian advocacy, and her future plans. She also talks about the "Angela Project" gathering that will be held June 19 in Birmingham, Ala. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Suzii Paynter online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

SBU Trustees Affirm Dismissal of Professor

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:43:00 +0000

I've previously reported about the controversy surrounding the firing of a professor at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. (my undergraduate alma mater). After being dismissed on Nov. 28, Clint Bass appealed, which led to a Dec. 21 hearing with a committee of SBU trustees. Now, the trustees issued their ruling - and they unanimously upheld the dismissal of Bass. While Bass's supporters claim he was fired for his conservative theology, the trustees and SBU administrators note it was his alleged unethical behavior that actually resulted in his dismissal.

(For background, see my first report for Word&Way on how he was fired for plotting with Missouri Baptist Convention leaders to oust other professors; and then my second report on the appeals hearing and the responses of some of his former colleagues he accused of heretical teachings.)

In other news related to case, I note in the latest article that the SBU Board of Trustees also called a special meeting during which they censured and excluded a trustee. That trustee, Kyle Lee, serves as an elder along with Bass as Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar, Mo. The action means Lee, who just joined the Board, will not be allowed to meetings or given Board documents - perhaps for the rest of his three-year term.

MBC Executive Director John Yeats, who was one of those Bass met with during his plotting to remove other professors, has expressed concern about the move to censure and exclude a trustee. His comments suggest the MBC might consider legal action, which would not be too surprising since they previously sued Word&Way and four other Baptist ministries over conflicts about trustees.

Read the whole third article on this case: SBU Trustees Affirm Dismissal of Professor

Discussing Baptist-Catholic Dialogue with Jeremy Bell

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 19:32:00 +0000

The 50th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Jeremy Bell, general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship. He discusses attending a session in December at the Vatican as Baptists and Catholics from around the world gathered for dialogue. He also talks about visiting a Baptist church in Italy and briefly meeting Pope Francis. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Jeremy Bell online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Discussing Jamaica & Global Constitutions with Eron Henry

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +0000

The 49th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Eron Henry, who formerly led communications efforts for the Baptist World Alliance. He discusses his work at the BWA, his native country of Jamaica, and the heritage of Jamaican Baptists. He also talks about his new book, Constitutionally Religious: What the Constitutions of 180 Countries Say About Religion and Belief. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Eron Henry online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Discussing Denominations & Racism with Jeff Langford

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 17:52:00 +0000

The 48th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Jeff Langford, coordinator for CBF Heartland. He discusses the work of CBF Heartland (& nationally), the importance of denominational bodies, and his hopes for the future. He also talks about the "Angela Project" and CBF's "Illumination Project." (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Jeff Langford online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

SBU Profs Speak Out Amid Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 20:29:00 +0000

In December, I reported for Word&Way about the controversy around Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. (my undergraduate alma mater) firing a professor for allegedly plotting with Missouri Baptist Convention leaders to oust other theology professors. Since then, a couple of key things have occurred - and I have a new article with the updates.

First, SBU held a five-hour hearing to hear the appeal of Clint Bass, who was fired in November. Both SBU and Bass have issued statements about the hearing and those are quoted in the article.

Second, two of Bass's former colleagues in SBU's Redford College of Theology and Ministry have responded to his allegations. I include quotes in the article from both of them, Rodney Reeves and Zach Manis. The quotes are quite good and make a strong case about Bass's inappropriate behavior. (As I've noted in an earlier post, I had numerous classes with Reeves, have read his books, encourage others to buy his books, and hold him in high regard.)

Third, some outside professors (some of which admit they do not even know Bass) wrote letters supporting him. They seem to argue his unethical behavior is okay since he was fighting for supposedly right theology (which itself seems like a problematic theology).

Read the whole article: SBU Profs Speak Out Amid Controversy

Religious Freedom Victory in Bulgaria

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 04:14:00 +0000

After weeks of protests in the streets by Baptists and others (and international advocacy by leaders of the Baptist World Alliance and European Baptist Federation), Bulgaria's legislators on Dec. 24 dropped proposed legal changes that would have restricted religious rights in areas of theological education, missionary and worship activity, and international donations. This Christmas Eve gift brought joy to many Christians in Bulgaria.

"We are relieved to state that the most discriminatory and limiting clauses which affected us have been successfully removed or changed appropriately," Teodor Oprenov, pastor of Evangelical Baptist Church in Sofia, told the Baptist Standard. "We are fully aware that this would not have happened without the strong international "support and prayers that questioned the intentions of our lawmakers and the strong and consistent protesting and lobbying within the country."

Elijah Brown, BWA general secretary, called it "a true Christmas blessing." It's great to see the power of prayer and advocacy!

Christians rally at Parliament Square in Sofia, Bulgaria, to pray and protest.
(Brian Davis/European Baptist Federation)

SBU Prof Fired, Documents Reveal Plot to Remove Other Profs

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 19:53:00 +0000

In November, Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. (where I received my undergraduate education) fired Clint Bass, a tenured professor in school’s Redford College of Theology and Ministry. He is appealing his dismissal. On Dec. 17, he released documents outlining what he claims shows other Redford professors are teaching heretical ideas. While his supporters claim he was fired because of his conservative theology, the school, however, fired him for allegedly unethical behavior. In fact, his own documents help make the case as it shows he secretly plotted with outside individuals apparently to try and force out his colleagues.

I reported on this story for Word&Way (in a piece that will also be in the January issue). In the article, I cover the various issues currently known, including Bass's meetings with Missouri Baptist Convention leaders. Among his "evidence" against other professors are attacks on Word&Way and other ministries and churches. Read the whole piece: SBU Prof Fired, Documents Reveal Plot to Remove Other Profs.

Knowing many of those attacked by Bass - both professors and church leaders - I find his claims inaccurate and his behavior problematic.

If Dr. Rodney Reeves Impacted You...

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 14:16:00 +0000

During my time as a student at Southwest Baptist University, I spent a lot of time in the Redford College of Theology and Ministry since one of my majors was pastoral ministry. Some of my professors are still there (I'm not that old, after all). They greatly impacted my thinking about God, faith, and life. Now, I'd like to repay a bit of that debt to one of them.

Redford is now under attack. A recently-fired professor (who started after my time there) is arguing he was the only true Bible-believing professor in Redford. Apparently what got him fired was that he had been secretly collecting "evidence" for years and meeting with outside forces in hopes of driving out other professors with whom he disagreed. (I'm not linking to the documents containing the allegations, which were posted this week as part of a petition supporting the fired professor, since they include unproven assertions and stupid arguments.)

A key target of the fired professor is the current dean of Redford, Dr. Rodney Reeves. I had Reeves for several classes, especially since he was one of my favorite professors. I've enjoyed opportunities to talk with him since my graduation (just, ahem, a few years ago). And I've read some of his books, which means he continues to build on my understanding of scriptures. If that man's teachings are heretical, then I don't want to be viewed as "orthodox."

Reading attacks on Reeves by the fired professor and his defenders, I've grown upset (and that's putting it nicely). I've wondered how to respond. I even considered starting my own petition defending Reeves, but that would be no more meaningful than the one supporting the fired professor. So, I'm instead suggesting a more positive path.

As an author of a few books myself (though they're not as good or as oft-bought as those by Reeves), I recognize that few things are more uplifting than hearing that my words made a positive impact on someone. So here's my three-part plan to do something positive in midst of slander and hate. And I hope you'll join me.

1. Buy books by Rodney Reeves. Here are links to them:

A Genuine Faith: How to Follow Jesus Today (2005)
Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ (2011)
Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology (2011)
Rediscovering Jesus: An Introduction to Biblical, Religious and Cultural Perspectives on Christ (2015, with co-authors David Capes and Randolph Richards)
Matthew: The Story of God Bible Commentary (2017)

I have A Genuine Faith, Rediscovering Paul, and Rediscovering Jesus. I highly recommend all three, and Rediscovering Jesus made it on my list of top books that year (I didn't make such a list the earlier years or else those two books probably would have made it on a list as well).

2. Write a review of the book(s) on Amazon. Even just a couple of sentences can make an author's day. And more reviews help more people find the book in search results and therefore more people buy it.

3. Post your review on Facebook and encourage others to buy the book. And you could also share this post as a way or encouraging other people to join this effort.

I frequently see SBU graduates write on Facebook or on blog posts something about how a concept they are now sharing really came from a Reeves class years ago. I recognize that impact on my own thinking and writing (like in a Christmas reflection a few years ago). And, so, I especially ask former and present SBU students impacted by Reeves to join this effort. And those who didn't have Reeves should also buy his books since you haven't learned from him yet.

This is a small step, but could be meaningful. It's not like I'm "asking you to leave your homes on Christmas Eve" and head to Vermont (though I hear it's beautiful this time of year), but this could still be a nice Christmas gift to a nice guy. Let's be a positive light during a time of too much darkness.

Discussing Psalms, Israel, & Bethlehem with Yohanna Katanacho

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 17:38:00 +0000

The 47th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Yohanna Katanacho, a Baptist scholar who works at Nazareth Evangelical College and Bethlehem Bible College. He talks about life for Baptists and other Christians in Israel and Palestine, including what Christmas is like in Bethlehem today. He also discusses his newest book, Praying Through the Psalms. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Yohanna Katanacho online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Belarusian Baptists Bashed

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:55:00 +0000

Baptists in Belarus face both government and religious efforts to limit their evangelistic efforts.

The head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church on Nov. 24 said Baptists were "sectarians" and not Christians. Calling them "annoying" and "scary," he added, "they are like Roma - they preach until they rob a person." Leanid Mikhovich, a leader of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of Belarus, called the comments "unacceptable, especially from a person holding such a high position." He urged "tolerance and benevolence towards people of all nationalities and believers of different faiths."

Meanwhile, persecution continues for Baptists, especially since many churches refuse to register officially with the government. Forum 18 reports that on Oct. 27, a Baptist husband and wife singing Christian songs and passing out Christian literature outside a market in Lepel were detained and fined - much as the same couple had been a year earlier. They were each given a fine equivalent to about one month’s average salary for the area. They were arrested for allegedly "organising or conducting a mass event or demonstration," even though it was just the couple involved. A judge convicted them three days later.

According to the Baptist World Alliance, there are about 280 churches and more than 12,000 Baptists in Belarus. May we remember the Belrusian Baptists in our prayers.

Discussing Church Fellowship & Conflict with Greg Mamula

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:29:00 +0000

The 46th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Greg Mamula, associate executive minister for the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska. He discusses his work in Nebraska, conflict transformation, church fellowship, and ministering in different Baptist denominational contexts. He also talks about his podcast "Mission in 5" (which I recently appeared on). (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Greg Mamula online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Mission in 5

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 17:33:00 +0000

Greg Mamula, associate executive minister for the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, hosts a podcast called Mission in 5. On the program, he asks five questions to ministry leaders: Who are you? How did you get to your ministry? What moves you? What is happening in your context? What is next?

I appeared on the show with him for the Dec. 10th episode. (And he will be on my program Baptist Without An Adjective on Dec. 11). I hope you'll check out his program.

Discussing Religious Freedom & Lebanon with Wissam al-Saliby

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:04:00 +0000

The 45th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Wissam al-Saliby, United Nations advocacy officer in Geneva for the World Evangelical Alliance. He discusses his advocacy for international religious freedom and about growing up in Lebanon. He also talks about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted 70 years ago (on Dec. 10, 1948). (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Wissam al-Saliby online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Baptists Protest Bulgarian Proposal

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 03:55:00 +0000

As Bulgaria's legislators consider a new law restricting religious liberty rights, Baptists in the country and beyond raised their voices to protest the proposal. If passed, the law would create several new restrictions on religious rights, including in areas of theological education, missionary and worship activity, and international donations.

On Nov. 8, Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Elijah Brown and European Baptist Federation General Secretary Anthony Peck wrote a letter to the nation's prime minister to express concerns about the proposed rules. They argued that "the implementation of this law could lead to unintended restrictions on religious freedom and the direct persecution of churches and individuals of faith."

Leaders of the Baptist Union of Bulgaria joined thousands of other Christians in taking to the streets to protest the proposals. After the protests following Sunday worship on Nov. 11, additional rallies occurred the following Sundays as well.

"We have not gathered to overthrow the government, to support any political party or to stand against any religion. We are here to defend the right to free faith expression for everyone,” Teodor Oprenov, pastor of Evangelical Baptist Church in Sofia, told one crowd of protesters.

Christians rally at Parliament Square in Sofia, Bulgaria, to pray and protest.
(Brian Davis/European Baptist Federation)

May we pray and advocate for our brothers and sisters in Bulgaria.

Considering Missions with Sharon Koh

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:45:00 +0000

The 44th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features a sermon by Sharon Koh, executive director of International Ministries. She preached this message at University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., on Nov. 4. My interview with Koh can be heard in episode 43.

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Sharon Koh online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Discussing Missions & Family Heritage with Sharon Koh

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:43:00 +0000

The 43rd episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Sharon Koh, executive director of International Ministries. She discusses her childhood as a missionary kid, her calling to ministry, and how American Baptist missionaries led her grandparents to faith. She also talks about the worst food she has ever tasted. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Sharon Koh online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Discussing War & Persecution in Eastern Ukraine with Helle Liht

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 03:43:00 +0000

The 42nd episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Helle Liht, assistant general secretary for the European Baptist Federation. She talks about a recent trip to eastern Ukraine and how we can help Baptists in the occupied territories. She also discusses the work of EBF and her native Estonia. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Helle Liht online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Considering Missions & More with Shane McNary

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 03:30:00 +0000

The 41st episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This bonus episode is a sermon by Shane McNary, field personnel for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. You can hear an interview with McNary in episode 40. He delivered this sermon on Nov. 4 at Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo.

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Shane McNary online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!

Discussing Missions & Advocacy with Shane McNary

noreply@blogger.com (Kaylor) — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 21:28:00 +0000

The 40th episode of the Word&Way podcast, Baptist Without An Adjective, is now out. This episode features an interview with Shane McNary, field personnel for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He talks about his work in Slovakia and Czech Republic, as well as about working with the Baptist World Alliance on issues of international religious freedom. (This episode is sponsored in part by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.)

There are several ways to check out the podcast:
- You can find it on iTunes, where I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (which helps other people find the program).
- You can put the RSS feed into whichever program you prefer to track podcasts and other information.
- You can listen the episode with Shane McNary online here or in the player above.

If you enjoy the episode, I hope you'll share it on Facebook or other social media sites. Thanks for listening!