What's Good?

What’s good in this conversation is the way college campuses can become places where faith, vocation, and intellectual growth are explored together instead of kept apart. Brian Foreman talks with Melissa Dowling of William Jewell College and Debby Harrelson of Samford University about how students are growing, questioning, serving, and discovering purpose in real time.Melissa and Debby each describe how their campuses help students move from inherited faith to owned faith, and why young adults often want less certainty and more space, honesty, and belonging.

Key topics

• Brian Foreman introduces Melissa Dowling, College Chaplain and Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at William Jewell College, and Debby Harrelson, Director of Community Engagement at Samford University.
• Melissa shares how William Jewell, located in Liberty, Missouri, serves about 900 undergraduate students in a diverse learning environment with strong Baptist roots and current partnerships with American Baptists and CBF.
• Debby explains how Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, works with 5,000 to 6,000 students, including graduate students, and uses community engagement to connect students with local, regional, and international service.
• Both guests emphasize that students are not avoiding faith so much as asking harder questions and wanting space to examine what they inherited.
• Melissa says many students arrive with spiritual pain or distrust of church but still trust God and remain open to exploring spirituality in safer, more creative ways.
• Debby notes that students often need help seeing that no single profession is more sacred than another, and that vocational discernment includes silence, prayer, mentorship, and honest conversation.
• The discussion highlights how calling is broader than church ministry and includes roles in engineering, nursing, teaching, hospitality, academia, and family life.
• The guests explain how students thrive when they are given real ownership—not just attendance-based participation—in worship, service, and campus life.
• The conversation closes with practical ways churches can partner with campuses by creating space, offering welcome, showing up consistently, and building relationships with student-facing staff.

Books and resources mentioned

• Will Our Children Have Faith? by John Westerhoff
• Called in Context, a faith-and-vocation toolkit from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

The conversation explores the journey of Emmaus Way Fellowship, a church founded on principles of inclusivity, safety, and community. Co-pastors JD McDonald and Sarah Colson share their experiences of creating a space for those who have felt marginalized in traditional church settings. They discuss the importance of co-pastoring, the need for healing within the community, and their commitment to exploring faith through a lens of creation and goodness. 

The dialogue emphasizes the significance of being open about the complexities of scripture and the journey of faith. In this conversation, the co-pastors of Emmaus Way discuss the importance of exploring different creation stories and the nature of God, emphasizing the freedom that comes from honest conversations in ministry. They reflect on their experiences in traditional ministry roles and how co-pastoring has transformed their approach to church dynamics. The discussion highlights the significance of authenticity, collaborative leadership, and recognizing the movement of the Spirit within their community. They also touch on the balance between expertise and amateurism in ministry, sharing personal journeys and aspirations for the future.

• Blues Mom Writes — Sarah’s Instagram account, where she shares her writing.
• Blues Brews Co. — Sarah’s coffee and beer business in downtown Johnson City, mentioned as having its own Instagram account.
• Emmaus Way Fellowship — the fellowship’s Instagram account.

Emmaus Way, co-pastors, community, church, inclusivity, faith, safety, creation, diversity, intentionality creation stories, ministry, co-pastoring, church dynamics, authenticity, community engagement, spiritual leadership, amateurism, collaborative leadership, personal journeys

This conversation explores the impactful work of the Bed Ministry, founded by Tim Son, which provides beds to children in need in San Antonio. The ministry not only addresses the practical need for beds but also restores dignity and hope to families facing difficult circumstances. Through community partnerships and volunteer efforts, the ministry has grown significantly since its inception, receiving recognition for its contributions to child welfare. The discussion highlights the importance of compassion, community engagement, and the transformative power of service in the lives of children and families.

Takeaways
Every child deserves a bed of their own.
The Bed Ministry started in 2021 and has grown significantly.
The ministry has provided 533 beds to 218 families.
Community partnerships are essential for the ministry's success.
Recognition as Church of the Year has motivated further efforts.
The church community is actively involved in various ways.
The ministry aims to expand beyond just beds to other needs.
Personal stories highlight the impact on families and children.
Tim Son found renewed purpose through this ministry.
Compassionate service can transform lives and communities.

Titles
Transforming Lives Through the Bed Ministry
A Bed for Every Child: The Heart of Service

Brian Foreman talks with the Reverend Dr. Paul Baxley, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global, about where the five thriving traits came from and why they matter for congregational health. The conversation traces the traits back to the “Toward Bold Faithfulness” listening process, then shows how they help churches move beyond attendance and budget metrics toward spiritual vitality, mission, and faithful change. 

We discuss how congregations discovered these traits in practice, why the pandemic exposed and strengthened faithful agility, and how rooted relationships, holy tenacity, dynamic collaboration, and compelling clarity work together in thriving churches.

Key topics

In this episode, among other things:

• Paul Baxley explains that the thriving traits were not invented in theory but emerged from listening to more than 700 CBF congregations during the “Toward Bold Faithfulness” process.
• We discuss how that process surfaced urgent congregational needs like financial strain, lack of clarity, diversity challenges, and the need for adaptive change.
• Paul shares why the traits are best understood as signs of health and vitality, not impossible standards or “theological navel gazing.”
• Paul connects rooted relationships to younger adults, noting that many are spiritually curious and simply waiting for an invitation into community.
• We discuss dynamic collaboration as mutual participation in God’s mission, including shared leadership inside churches, partnership across communities, and CBF’s collaborative Baptist ethos.
• Paul highlights compelling clarity as a congregation’s North Star, especially when churches know their calling around hunger, homelessness, immigration, refugee support, and local witness.

Key frameworks

• Toward Bold Faithfulness process
• Thriving Congregations Work
• The five thriving traits framework

Action items

• Encourage churches to take the thriving traits assessment
• Focus on cultivating and strengthening identified traits
• Use the assessment data to guide strategic planning and partnerships

Books Mentioned

• Frederick Buechner — Wishful Thinking
• Stephen Fowl — Commentary on Philippians 

Keywords: church thriving traits, congregational health, faithfulness, community collaboration, spiritual growth, church assessment, leadership development 

Before you read the official description, you need to know that our team was together and we decided to have a round robin chat. We get distracted very easily, and you'll hear that. Most importantly, I hope you hear the passion for calling, love for congregations we get to support and that we have fun while holding the topics as sacred.

This conversation features the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Congregational Ministries Team (scroll down for link to each person) discussing their experiences and insights related to youth ministry, mission trips, and camps. They share personal stories about the impact of these experiences on their faith development and the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for children and youth. The team emphasizes the role of adults in nurturing young people's spiritual growth and the significance of recognizing and affirming their callings, whether in traditional ministry or other vocations. They also provide encouragement for smaller churches and highlight the value of empowering youth in ministry roles.

What are some takeaways you might hear:

• The importance of creating safe spaces for youth to grow. 
• Mission trips and camps are formative experiences for faith development. 
• Adults play a crucial role in recognizing and nurturing youth callings. 
• It's essential to affirm and support youth in their spiritual journeys. 
• Smaller churches can make a significant impact with creative programming. 
• Youth should be empowered to take leadership roles in ministry. 
• Every child deserves to feel loved and accepted in their church community. 
• The experiences of youth can shape their understanding of faith and belonging. 

The Congregational Ministries Team (Learn more about our work here)

Alisha Seruyange, CBF Young Adult Event Specialist

Brian Foreman, Coordinator of Congregational Ministries

Colin Kroll, Young Adult Ministries Manager

Jay Kieve, Director for Leadership Development, Abuse Prevention & Church Safety

Kelly Adams, Director of Clergy Support

Sharon Felton, Director of Congregational Engagement

Discover how Tyler Tankersley fosters authentic community and spiritual growth in church leadership. Learn valuable insights from his journey at Ardmore Baptist Church.

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a vibrant community in church can be challenging. Many leaders struggle to cultivate a culture of hope and genuine engagement among their congregations. In this blog post, we explore an enlightening conversation between Brian Foreman and Tyler Tankersley, pastor of Ardmore Baptist Church, who shares his insights on leadership, spiritual formation, and the importance of community.

About Tyler Tankersley
Tyler Tankersley is not just a pastor; he is a teacher and a leader deeply committed to fostering a meaningful church environment. With a focus on community, spiritual formation, and hospitality, Tyler has cultivated an environment at Ardmore Baptist Church that is both inviting and transformative. His approach encourages congregants to engage with their faith in relevant and impactful ways.

The Sweet Spot of Ministry
Tyler begins by reflecting on the current "sweet season" of his ministry. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these moments, stating that often, leaders overlook the positive aspects of their ministry. He attributes this awareness to a personal faith that is flourishing, driving his engagement and passion for leadership. 

Recognizing Good Seasons
- Understanding Seasons: Tyler mentions that one can only appreciate a "sweet season" by understanding what a "sour season" feels like. This recognition allows leaders to embrace gratitude and positivity in their current circumstances.
- Avoiding Cynicism: Tyler cautions against the tendency to define oneself by past challenges rather than present successes, advocating for a mindset that focuses on growth and hopefulness.

The Challenge of Cynicism
One of the standout themes in Tyler's conversation is the struggle against cynicism. Both he and Brian discuss how easy it is to fall into a cynical mindset, especially in a world filled with negative news and overwhelming challenges.

Hope as a Learned Skill
- Cultivating Hope: Tyler highlights a powerful quote from church historian Gerald Sitzer: "Hope is a learned skill, not a feeling." This perspective shifts the focus from passively waiting for hope to actively cultivating it through discipline and practice.
- Coping with Negativity: They discuss how our brains are wired to focus on negativity, making it essential for leaders to consciously choose to nurture hope and positivity within their congregations.

Key Takeaways
- Personal Faith Drives Leadership: Tyler highlights the connection between personal spiritual health and effective leadership. Leaders must prioritize their own faith journeys to inspire others.
- Building Community Through Intentionality: By fostering spaces for dialogue, growth, and storytelling, Tyler aims to create a culture that nurtures both spiritual and communal growth.

Conclusion
Tyler Tankersley's insights provide a refreshing perspective on church leadership and the importance of cultivating a hopeful and engaged community. As church leaders, it's crucial to recognize the seasons of our ministry, combat cynicism with hope, and intentionally develop our congregations' spiritual health. To learn more about Tyler's journey and insights, be sure to check out the full conversation with Brian Foreman.

Learn how to breathe new life into your church's youth and children's programs. Discover actionable insights from Chris Thomas, a pastor committed to community engagement and faith formation.

In today's fast-paced world, churches often struggle to maintain vibrant youth and children's ministries. Many find themselves facing challenges related to engagement, resources, and community perception. In this blog post, we’ll explore key strategies and insights that can help revitalize your church’s approach to youth and children's ministry, based on a conversation with Chris Thomas, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wilson, North Carolina.

About Rev. Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas is known for his thoughtful leadership and deep care for people. With years of experience in ministry, he combines pastoral presence with practical wisdom, helping congregations remain rooted in the gospel while effectively engaging with their communities. His insights into revitalizing youth and children's ministries provide valuable lessons for churches everywhere.

1. The Importance of Intentional Engagement
In his experience, Chris emphasizes the necessity of intentionality when it comes to engaging with young families and children. He shares how the First Baptist Church of Wilson made a deliberate choice to remain in the heart of the community, rather than moving to more developed areas. This decision reflects a commitment to being accessible and relevant to the families they aim to serve.

2. Why Staying Put Matters
- Community Connection: Remaining in a central location fosters deeper connections with local families.
- Visibility and Trust: Being present in the community builds trust, making families more likely to engage with the church.
- Leveraging Resources: By maintaining a presence in the community, churches can better utilize their resources for outreach and support.

3. Empowering Families with Dedicated Programs
One of the key strategies Chris outlines is the importance of investing in dedicated staff and programs for youth and children's ministries. For example, hiring dedicated personnel rather than relying solely on volunteers demonstrates a commitment to these ministries.

4. Steps to Empower Families:
1. Hire Dedicated Staff: Invest in individuals who are passionate about children's and youth ministries.
2. Create Engaging Programs: Develop programs that meet the specific needs of families in the community.
3. Encourage Participation: Foster an environment where families feel welcome and valued.
4. Build Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations to enhance programming and reach.

5. Building a Safe and Trusted Space
According to Chris, creating a safe and trusted environment is crucial. Churches should strive to ensure that families feel comfortable leaving their children in their care. This involves not only physical safety but also emotional and spiritual support.

Learn how to connect faith to everyday life through meaningful ministry practices. Discover insights from Reverend Preston Clegg, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, as he shares the challenges and joys of ministry in a changing world.

In the realm of ministry, one question often emerges: what truly makes this vocation meaningful? In this post, we'll delve into the insights shared by Reverend Preston Clegg during a recent conversation about his experiences in ministry, the unique challenges faced, and the profound joy derived from serving a community. This exploration not only highlights the transformative power of faith but also illustrates the complexities of guiding others through their spiritual journeys.

Reverend Clegg describes ministry as an "enchanted vocation" that offers a front-row seat to the divine. He emphasizes that ministry allows him to witness God’s presence in both moments of joy and sorrow. For example, he reflects on performing a baby dedication, where the community comes together to celebrate new life, juxtaposed with the grief of conducting a funeral for a member who passed unexpectedly. 

Through these experiences, Clegg recognizes that ministry is not just about the joyous moments but also about providing support during life's hardest times. He states: "What's good in ministry isn't always what is easy about ministry. Yet, you get to participate in the meaning-making of life."

Discover how Bishop James Dixon inspires transformation in communities through courage and compassion. Learn practical insights on leading with faith and authenticity.

In today’s world, many are questioning the role of the church and how it can positively impact society. When I sat down with Bishop James Dixon, pastor and leader at Greater Faith Baptist Fellowship, he shared profound insights on how the church can be a force for good beyond its traditional walls. In this post, we’ll explore the essence of authentic leadership, the importance of compassion in ministry, and how to embrace change in a rapidly evolving world.

Bishop James Dixon is a transformative leader known for his commitment to social justice and authentic community building. With over 15 years of leadership at Greater Faith Baptist Fellowship, he has redefined what it means to be a church that actively engages with its community. His approach integrates spiritual conviction with actionable social change, making him a voice of hope and inspiration.

Bishop Dixon emphasizes that the church should not be confined to traditional routines or fears. Instead, it should embody courage and compassion. He believes that faith must be a lived experience, impacting real lives in neighborhoods and communities. This perspective invites church leaders to rethink their roles and consider how they can serve others more effectively.

Resources

• NT Wright
• Catholic Charities of Gainesville
• Spurrier's Gridiron Grill
• Chopsticks Gainesville
• Dr. John Fairless - Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study

Guest Links

• Website

Discover how First on Fifth navigated change, embraced new identities, and fostered community growth through innovative leadership and open conversations. 

In today’s dynamic world, many churches face the challenge of adapting to change while remaining true to their mission and community. In this post, we explore how First Baptist Church on 5th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has successfully navigated this landscape under the leadership of Emily Holmagee, the first female senior pastor in the church’s history. 


Emily Hull-McGee is a visionary leader who has reimagined what it means to be a church in a rapidly changing world. With her deep commitment to community engagement and innovative approaches, she has been instrumental in guiding her congregation through significant transitions. 

When Emily joined First Baptist Church in 2015, she faced immediate challenges related to the church's physical space and its mission. The church had too much space to maintain, and many areas were in disrepair, including leaky roofs and peeling plaster. 

Resources

• First Baptist Church on 5th, Winston-Salem
• Wake Forest University School of Divinity
• Kate Bowler (Author)
• Good Hang Podcast
• Bookmarks Winston-Salem

Guest Links

• Website