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Continue reading →: It takes a village to raise a minister
By Matt Sapp This reflection is in response to the Reverend Sapp’s move to a new pulpit at Central Baptist Church, Newnan, Georgia. It takes a village to raise a minister. Transitions are natural times for reflection, so as I’ve packed up books and files this week to get ready…
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Continue reading →: Conflict and a Parting of Ways in the Church
By Joe LaGuardia Being Christ’s Church is no easy task. As far back as the New Testament, churches have been dealing with weighty matters from Bible interpretation to theological wrangling so much that we should not be surprised when some churches fight and split. Scripture provides us with a blueprint…
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Continue reading →: Standing in God’s Greatest Commandment
By Joe LaGuardia This was presented at a Stand on the Side of Love gathering at the Vero Beach Courthouse on 16 August 2017 with neighbors, friends, and concerned citizens. Here I stand. I am the third-generation son of Italian refugees who escaped poverty, injustice, and fascism in Europe in…
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Continue reading →: Going Home, Looking Forward
By Joe LaGuardia Since moving to Florida over a year ago, I have been reflecting on some aspects of my past: high school, college, my calling, friends with whom I’ve lost contact, and other nostalgic reminiscing. With each memory I seek to “take every thought captive for Christ,” assessing what…
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Continue reading →: Debating the Bible is Good for the Soul
By Joe LaGuardia In a sermon on Genesis, the Reverend Lillian Daniel told of an Israeli program that required rabbis to study the Torah in groups and learn how to debate its meaning. Debate was not something to avoid, but significant because, as the theory goes, sacred scripture is too…
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Continue reading →: Ministry for the Sake of Christ and the World
By Joe LaGuardia I had a conversation with a Navy veteran yesterday who served as a flight-deck officer for nearly 25 years. I thanked him for his service and was grateful that he had sacrificed his safety in order to protect our freedom. He reminded me of the time I…
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Continue reading →: Working with Refugees in Uganda
This week includes World Refugees Day. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida and CBF Global support the work of Karen Alford, a CBF missionary (field personnel) and member of Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. Karen works with women’s health in Uganda, which includes refugees and others who are impoverished…
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Continue reading →: Moving On: An Ascension Sunday Reflection
By Joe LaGuardia I once watched my father knock his brother half-way across a boxing ring with a single right cross. I saw it on one of those old black and white films, homemade from some ancient camera and later transferred to a DVD. There they were, sparring: My dad,…
Engaging Heart, Mind, and Soul
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia is a pastor, writer, and chaplain residing in Florida. He is author of three books and regular contributor to Smyth & Helwys’ Formations Series. His articles have appeared in USA Today, Baptist News Global, Christian Ethics Today, TCPalm, and Rockdale Citizen.
Baptist Spirituality explores the intersection of faith and culture incorporating biblical scholarship, culture and the arts, politics, science, and theology.
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