One Denomination at Its Best and Worst

Ed Gilbreath says he has always been fascinated with the National Baptist Convention, sometimes called “the mother of black denominations.” As he was growing up in Rockford, Illinois, he saw the powerful and dynamic role that black Baptist churches played in the African-American community. More recently, as an adult living on Chicago’s west side, he was curious how this venerable institution could stand behind its president as the facts about his scandalous behavior unfolded.

And as a journalist, he saw the Lyons affair (and the way the denomination was recovering its equilibrium) as an opportunity to open a window for CT‘s readers into a temporarily weakened institution that has provided strength, courage, and hope to millions (see “Redeeming Fire,” pg. 38).

“African-American religion is not always taken seriously in our society,” Ed says. “People think the music is great and that it’s a nice thing for blacks to have, but they just don’t get its deeper meaning.” He wants CT readers to realize that the African-American tradition is valid, rich, and real.

As he covered September’s contentious NBC convention in Tampa, Ed was intrigued by the strange blend of political excitement and passionate worship. He was also impressed with the intelligence of the preachers. “They were sharp, thoughtful communicators and thinkers,” he says. “I’d like to go back every year and hear that preaching. It’s an art. It’s a science, too.”

Ed’s byline will be familiar to long-time readers of this magazine. After graduating from Judson College, Ed spent nearly four years in CT’s marketing and editorial departments learning the craft of putting out a magazine. He left CT in October of 1995 to work with New Man magazine in Orlando, Florida.

But Ed was eager to return to Chicago, to family, and to the annual round of the seasons. So last June, when it became possible, CT and its sister publication LEADERSHIP welcomed Ed back as one of our key writers and editors.

Family is important to Ed and his wife Dana, and if all goes according to plan, just a few days after you receive this magazine in the mail, Ed and Dana will welcome their first child into the world. Ed is proud of his reporting and writing about the NBC. But that’s nothing compared to what he will feel as a first-time dad.

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? Over the past 2,000 years, the gospel has transformed countless lives. Likewise, Christian ideas have shaped cultures. At this turn of the millennium, what contributions to civilization should we celebrate?

Cover Story

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? The Gift of Mission

Cover Story

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? The Gift of Humility

Cover Story

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? The Gift of Literacy

Cover Story

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? The Gift of Science

Cover Story

Where Would Civilization Be Without Christianity? The Gift of Dignity

Elegy for a Jesus Freak

Reflections on Christmas

No Room in the Womb?

Why We Still Need Moody

Fatherhood on the Rebound

Meditations: Drive-Through Christmas

Cassie Said Yes, They Say No

Dispatch From Sierra Leone: Suckled on Gunpowder

Is Christmas Pagan?

The Abortion Debate Is Over

Redeeming Fire

Making Room for God

Ending Hunger in Our Lifetime

New & Noteworthy: Church History

Doctorโ€™s Orders

Ban May Go to Supreme Court

Marketing Martyrdom to Teens

JESUS Film Debuts on DVD

In Brief: December 06, 1999

Feed the Children Battles Controversy

Court Upholds Video Poker Ban

Violence Mars Bonnke's Revival

Arrested Christians Face Deportation

In Brief: December 06, 1999

Hindus Protest Papal Visit

First United Nations 'Spiritual Summit' Planned

Wire Story

Plans for Meeting Between Baptist Jewish Heads Called Off

Wire Story

Homosexuality: Falwell Tames His Tongue

Wire Story

Christians Protest Proposed Mosque

Moscow Meeting Eases Russia's Interchurch Tensions

The Grove Press Bible

Positive About Potter

Lord's Prayer a Musical Hit in United Kingdom

Jailed Sudanese Priests Reject presidential Amnesty

Two Major Philippine Churches Sign Agreement for Closer Links

Leading German Bishop Says Church Will Bow to Rome in Abortion Controversy

Tashkent Christian Threatened with Two-Year Prison Term

New Delhi Center Dedicated to Princess Di's Wish to End 'Stigma' of Leprosy

Homosexual Group Institutes Award for Straight Religious Leaders

Amassed Media: Evolution Wars

Wire Story

Ministries Intensify As East Timorese Refugee Camps Grow

Jerusalem's Church Leaders Usher in Millennium Celebrations

Help Us Develop Our Souls Mandela Tells World Religious Leaders

Australian Church Agrees to Run Controversial Room for Injecting Drugs

Leading Catholic Theologian Outlines His Vision of Next Pope

Campbell Remains Optimistic As She Looks to Life After the NCC

Amassed Media: God Bless America's Candidates

Letters

Ned Grahamโ€™s Woes Shake East Gates

Texas Southern Baptists: Submission Rejected

Brazil: Scholars Debate Mission Methods

Alabama: An Education Gamble

Buddhism: Spirituality Without Religion

Editorial

More of the Same

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: Jack Iker, Anglican Who Drew the Line at Womenโ€™s Ordination

The Texas bishop fought a bitter legal battle with the Episcopal Church and won.

Why Canโ€™t We Talk to Each Other Anymore?

Online interactions are draining us of energy to have hard conversations in person.

Church Disappointment Is Multilayered

Jude 3 Project founder Lisa Fields speaks about navigating frustrations with God and fellow believers.

The Robot Will Lie Down With the Gosling

In โ€œThe Wild Robot,โ€ hospitality reprograms relationships.

How Priscilla Shirer Surrenders All

The best-selling Bible teacher writes about putting God first in her life and how healthy Christian discipleship requires sacrifice

The Bulletin

Second Hand News

The Bulletin talks presidential podcasts, hurricane rumors, and the spiritual histories of Israel and Iran.

Which Church in Revelation Is Yours Like?

From the lukewarm Laodicea to the overachieving Ephesus, these seven ancient congregations struggled with relatable problems.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube