Baptist Without An Adjective

This episode features a sermon by Shane Claiborne on why he believes Christians should oppose the death penalty. He offered these remarks at a Churchnet event on the campus of Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Mo. More of Claiborne's thoughts on the topic can be found in his book Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It's Killing Us.

Jeanie McGowan talks with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor. McGowan previously served as associate pastor for single adults at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., and leadership development team leader for Churchnet. In this episode, she talks about issues related to those roles, as well as receiving a call to vocational ministry and attending seminary later in life. She also talks about social justice and community engagement, including how she and her husband sold their dream home to move into downtown Jefferson City. 

On June 1, Mike Parson became the 57th Governor of Missouri. A member of First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Mo., he sat down with Word&Way last year for an interview early in his tenure as lieutenant governor. This episode features a couple clips from that interview as well as highlights from a private prayer service for Parson held at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., just before he was sworn in as governor. Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor attended both the prayer service and the swearing-in ceremony. 

In this episode, eight Baptist ministers in North East India each share a short message to U.S. Baptists. Talking with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor, the ministers mentioned their ministry hopes and prayers. This episode also includes a short commentary from Kaylor on the firing of Paige Patterson at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. 

In this special episode, Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on issues of faith and politics. Using the resignation of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens as a case study, he offers insights that can apply to Christians in other states and countries. What happens when politics shapes our theology, instead of the other way around? This episode reflects on that. 

A.K. Lama, executive director of Transforming Leaders in Asia Ministries, talks with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor. A former general secretary of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India, Lama discusses Baptists in that region, as well as how North East India differs from the rest of the nation. He also talks about TLA and their training conferences for pastors. This interview occurred in North East India during a TLA training conference at which both Lama and Kaylor lectured. 

Mateusz Wichary, president of the Baptist Union of Poland, talks with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor. He recounts the history of Baptists in his nation, as well as current successes and challenges. Wichary also talks about his personal conversion from Roman Catholicism. 

Elisey Pronin, a Ukrainian Baptist leader, talks with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor. Previously a pastor in eastern Ukraine, Pronin recounts what happened as war came to his city in 2014. He also talks about his ministry today as he leads the church planting program at Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary.

Learn more about his story in his book, "Chronicles of Undeclared War": https://amzn.to/2rJk4eB 

Support his church planting efforts through the Macedeonia Project of the Future Leadership Foundation: https://flfmissions.org/macedonia-project/

This episode features a sermon by Jeremy Bell, new general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship, at the Churchnet Spring Gathering at University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., on April 20, 2018. He shares stories and insights related to Hebrews 11:13-16 and the idea of "Seeking a Better Country." 

Jeremy Bell, new general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship, talks with Word&Way Editor & President Brian Kaylor. A Canadian Baptist leader, Bell talks about the work of global Baptists and some of the unique attributes and challenges for Canadian Baptists. He also shares about efforts of reconciliation with First Nations people.