[2/23/2009]
Waco Tribune-Herald, February 23, 2009 (article about the poverty-fighting program Open Table quotes Rosemary Townsend, who heads up the Baylor Poverty Initiative and Baylor social work professor Gaynor Yancey)
It takes a village to raise a child, according to an African proverb. Tribal wisdom also plays a role in the Open Table program -- being piloted in Waco at St. Paul's Episcopal Church -- which seeks a congregation to raise the homeless to self-sufficiency.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Contact with global partners gave church expanded vision
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, Feb. 12, 2009 (article about a presentation by Lynne Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church about combining social work, ministry and outreach; Hybels spoke at this week's The Next Big Idea Conference at Baylor.)
When Lynne Hybels and her husband, Bill, started a church in suburban Chicago 33 years ago, they had two dreams. As a young pastor, he wanted to plant the kind of church where people who were far away from God could be reconciled to him. As a social worker, she wanted to develop a community of faith who wouldn't be afraid to confront "the messiness of life."
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Why serve? Most Christian volunteers say it's a God thing
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (Dr. Dennis Myers, associate dean for graduate studies at Baylor's School of Social Work, discussed findings from his survey at The Next Big Idea Conference held last week at Baylor.)
A Baylor researcher has confirmed what many church nominating committees and volunteer coordinators have suspected.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Simple steps lead to 'next-level' ministry to communities
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (article about attaining the "next level" of ministry effectiveness presented by Amy Sherman at the Next Big Idea conference at Baylor.)
Churches can strengthen the ministries they provide to their communities by taking five key steps, ministry specialist Amy Sherman told participants at the Next Big Idea conference at Baylor University.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Ministry thrives when pastors equip, rather than doing it themselves
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (article about ministry strategist Alan Nelson's presentation at the Next Big Idea conference at Baylor.)
A church that depends upon its pastor for ministry fails both the pastor and the laypeople, ministry strategist Alan Nelson told participants at the Next Big Idea conference at Baylor University.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Kay Warren: Following Christ means being 'seriously disturbed'
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (summary of speaker Kay Warren's presentation at The Next Big Idea conference, held at Baylor last week.)
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ means being willing to say "yes" unconditionally to God, knowing he likely will lead his followers into uncomfortable places, Kay Warren told a group at Baylor University.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: Confidentiality means letting each person own his own story
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (suggestions on ways to treat confidential information from Baylor social work graduate student Beth Kilpatrick during a workshop at The Next Big Idea Conference held at Baylor.)
The way churches treat confidential information reveals just how much they value the person who has provided it, a veteran inner-city missionary told participants at a Baylor University workshop.
(FULL STORY)
Baptist Standard: 'Next big idea' an old idea that looks radically different
[2/13/2009]
Baptist Standard, February 13, 2009 (article discussing the outcomes of the The Next Big Idea Conference held at Baylorquotes Dr. Michael Stroope, associate professor of missions at Baylor's Truett Seminary.)
The "next big idea" actually is 2,000 years old, but it has "moved and morphed" into something quite different than what Americans and Europeans have known.
(FULL STORY)
CIOS Funding 'Next Big Idea' Conference at Baylor in February 2009
[7/15/2008]
A $50,000 donation from the Christ Is Our Salvation Foundation will underwrite a national conference on "The Next Big Idea," to be held Feb. 9-11, 2009, at Baylor University.
(FULL STORY)
