Justice. Mercy. Faith.
Through The Christian Citizen, we seek to shape a mind among American Baptists and others on matters of public concern by providing a forum for diverse voices living and working at the intersection of faith and politics, discipleship and citizenship.
The power of the Black vote matters more than ever
The voting power of African Americans will prevent any “Redemption” by white supremacists from ever being successful in this country.
A Guide to Ministry Self-Care: Negotiating Today’s Challenges with Resilience and Grace (Book Review)
What do we believe about ministry? What do we believe about our own capacities to be one human being without being taken down by the multiple demands (and persons) vying for our time? Is self-care something that comes when we have time for it, or should it be at the forefront of our daily schedule without fail?
Readers Write: Tell your story in The Christian Citizen.
Advent is a time of expectant waiting. It is also a penitential season. The Christian Citizen invites readers to offer a personal reflection on words commonly associated with Advent. Pick one word from the list provided. What does the word make you think of? How does it make you feel? Is there a specific moment in your life when the word took on new meaning for you? Don’t feel like you need to write a devotion or even use religious language. Tell your story. Nonfiction only. Entries will be edited as necessary. Not all will be published. Those that are published will receive a $25 Judson Press gift certificate.
“Nice” is not a biblical word
Christian leaders can be too nice. We’ve internalized the message, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” However, sometimes leadership requires more than being nice. In fact, as far as I’m able to tell, the word “nice” does not appear in the Bible.
Faith at the border – caring for the stranger and refugee as children of God
Remember the moral and prophetic foundations of the biblical call to care for the stranger and refugee, as children of God, rather than being feared and vilified for their race and poverty, and treated as if they are enemy. Somewhere, in our family histories, we have all been strangers and immigrants, and may be yet again in the future.
What we don’t talk about
I want to see the church flourish and as such, we all need to have some tough and courageous conversations about what is not working. Courage requires us to face our fears so that we can collaboratively seek new solutions and save our churches.
Featured Series
On Mental Health
Giving mental health awareness the right place in the church
How many sermons have you heard on mental health or suicide? Most likely none. And yet, the national suicide rate has increased 33 percent between 1999 and 2017. This is a public health crisis.
Breaking the silence of mental illness
The church that claims to be following Jesus is walking in darkness when the light is not shined on mental illness, especially when the mentally ill do not feel welcomed to talk about their illness.
Faith, mental health, and the rumor of grace
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to consider starting or expanding a mental health ministry in your church and community.
The quietest, loneliest and most painful illness
Mental illness is the loneliest and quietest of illnesses. Sometimes we do not know we have it. Or, we do not acknowledge it. We do not talk about it much. We do not want to. Few people know or understand. Yet the hurting is profound, confusing, and lonely.”
Featured Series
Theological Education in North America
by Dr. Philip Thompson
Theological education in North America: Crises and faithful creativity
Theological schools in North America are facing a time when they must turn toward new models and philosophies.
Theological education in North America: Crises and faithful creativity, part 2
A few schools have begun to move beyond the level of different forms of content delivery and have begun to re-envision theological education in a more thoroughgoing manner. One of these schools is Sioux Falls Seminary, with its Kairos Project.
Theological education in North America: Crises and faithful creativity, part 3
One of the factors contributing to women and men leaving ministry is the often heavy cost of theological education leading to the assumption of considerable debt. In response to these challenges, Sioux Falls Seminary’s Kairos Project has abandoned the credit hour in favor of a revolutionary financial model for operating and pricing degrees.
Theological education in North America: Crises and faithful creativity, Part 4
Sioux Falls Seminary’s “Baptistness” lies not in the application of some “Baptist principle” or set of principles. Rather, we seek to be resonant with the historic genius of the Baptist ethos, one grounded in the Baptist conviction of Christ’s lordship that leads to a decentering of all things human, including institutions.
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Now Available
The Christian CitizenVolume 2, 2019 Print Edition
Featuring diverse writers and topics.
Featured Contributors
Curtis Ramsey-Lucas
Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson
Rev. Margaret Marcuson
Rev. Dr. Greg Johnson
Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot
Alyssa Vasquez
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We feature thought-provoking articles and action-inspiring essays that intersect faith, politics, discipleship