Bible verse of the day

Ethics Daily

Anniversary of Bailey Smith's Harmful Moment in Baptist-Jewish Relations
Bailey Smith, then president of the Southern Baptist Convention, claimed 30 years ago that God "does not hear the prayer of a Jew." Today, other Southern Baptist leaders have rhetorically followed his lead.

A 'Transformative Moment' in SBC Political Activity
Ronald Reagan, then the GOP nominee for president, joined a who's who of conservative Christians on a Dallas stage 30 years ago, convincing many Southern Baptists and other evangelicals to join the Republican cause.

Muslim Documentary Accepted at Festival
"Different Books, Common Word: Baptists and Muslims," the most recent documentary from EthicsDaily.com, has been officially selected as part of the International Black Film Festival of Nashville.

British Churches Focus on 2012 Olympics in London
The London 2012 Olympics are less than two years away, and churches in Great Britain are beginning to develop plans for outreach, hospitality and service during the event.

Ken Starr Joins Baptist Church – Without Attending
Ken Starr, the new president of Baylor University, promised to join a Baptist church once he was on the job in Waco. He kept that promise, joining a church without even being present for the service.

Over the past couple of years, members of a church in Washington, D.C. have fought for the right to tear down their ugly church building. Since some in the city considered the building to be a historic site, the members had to plead their case before politicians and judges. Ultimately, the members prevailed and can now demolish their windowless bunker-esque concrete building. The members argued that to keep the building would violate their religious beliefs because the architecture communicated values contrary to their religious beliefs. The building makes them look secretive, closed, and even sect-like. As one of the congregation's leaders explained, "The building, through its architecture, is sending the wrong message to our community and inhibits our ability to interact with the community. We need to be a visible, welcoming presence, on a living corner. It's central to who we are. Nothing is more basic to a church than being able to express its religious exercise through its architecture."

The determination of the members to destroy their building should make us pause to consider what our own buildings might be communicating. Are we welcoming people in? Are we offering a space that enables people to worship and meet God? Whether we realize it or not, our buildings communicate to those driving by--the colors, the windows, etc. In January, I attended a meeting at a chapel in Boston where the builders struggled to make every aspect of the architecture match their historic congregational beliefs. Such efforts need not require us to completely demolish our buildings or embark on some new building project. Rather, such a recognition should at least make us pause to consider the various ways we are presenting ourselves to our neighbors--not just in architecture, but in all that we do. Are we welcoming? Are we living out our theology? These are important questions that warrant our consideration as we seek to live out the Great Commission.