Enhancing Leadership Capacity for a Growing CBF Virginia   In accordance with our bylaws, all proposed amendments must be submitted and shared 30 days before our voting meeting. At our General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at First Baptist in Newport News, we plan to vote on a minor item leading toward a potential ..read more

As I walked into the kitchen, I saw some familiar faces. One family has been at the shelter for nearly four months trying to get an appointment to cross the border. So, I had gotten to know them fairly well. However, as I pulled out a chair to sit down, nobody seemed to notice. For the next few moments, it was as if I was on the outside looking in, catching a glimpse of their normal day-to-day life. The mom was hunched over the kitchen table trying to open cans of beans with what could have only been a broken can opener. Her five-year-old son sitting across from her, a bit restlessly, and he ..read more

Click below to access this year’s program: CBFVA GA 2023 Program Book ..read more

Student.Church is CBF’s model for congregational internships to students who are interested in a deeper experience of church life or pursuing a call to ministry. Interns spend the summer exploring the breadth of congregational ministry through a variety of learning experiences. Here in Virginia, we usually have 6-8 churches participate in this program and these churches have had great experiences. Thanks to grants from CBF Global and CBF Virginia, the return on your investment is maximized! For more information or to apply, visit: https://cbf.net/studentdotchurch Questions? Contact Mark Snipe ..read more

In late January 2023, CBF Virginia’s Coordinating Council met in Charlottesville for an overnight retreat. As we met, prayed, and visioned together, one message came through loud and clear: CBFVA wants to connect and collaborate with your congregation. CBF Virginia believes in congregations. We believe that God is at work in the local church, and this gives each beloved community a unique vision for its physical location. CBFVA’s goal is to walk side-by-side with congregations, using our gifts, resources, partnerships, and networks to help amplify each congregation as they fulfill their God-g ..read more

In the interest of honesty, I’m willing to admit that I’m nervous in conversations about race and racial justice. I was a kid in the 1990s at the height of the idea that “not seeing race” at all was the best and kindest way for me, as a White person, to relate to my brothers and sisters of color.  This concept indicated that the work had already been done – that we were living in a time of equality. It’s taken me the past ten years and a lot of listening and reading to realize that this idea, no matter how well-meaning, is flawed.  When White people like me act as if race doesn’t ma ..read more

Cultivating Generous Congregations is offered by CBF in partnership with the Lake Institute which is one of America’s foremost authorities on faith and generosity.  Each year, we offer two cohorts – one in the Winter (February/March) and one in the Fall (September/October). Both cohorts are composed of 12 congregations with each church having space for 3 participants. Over the course of the study, we focus on developing a healthy theology of generosity, understanding the latest statistics and trends related to giving, creating a year-round approach to stewardship education, developing our ..read more

In 2023, CBFVA is challenging churches to pack over 100,000 meals. Food insecurity is still such a big issue in our world and CBFVA wants to advocate for those who lack reliable food sources. Through Rise Against Hunger and Bread for the World, two of CBFVA’s partners, we want to awaken churches to our role in advocating for the poor.  What can we do here in America? What systems are in place that keep the poor, poor? Let’s gather, create meals that will directly impact someone’s life and learn about ways to use our collective voice to bring about change. . Interested? You can contact Mar ..read more

Advent is in full swing, and although we’re somehow already halfway through, we still have much of December left. Church leaders have been planning for the Advent worship services for weeks, if not, months. Our faith communities have long honored traditions that we look forward to each year, many of which help us mark this season of preparation. Unlike the calendar’s New Year, which begins with the bangs of fireworks or clanging of pots and pans, the Church’s liturgical New Year begins with this time of “getting ready.” There is something sacred about this rhythm, the anticipation for Christma ..read more

On October 1st, I celebrated my nine-year anniversary with CBFVA. It was also the day I took the reins as Coordinator for this amazing organization. I am so grateful for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and for all the people who make this space so special. CBFVA has given me so much and I am looking forward to reinvesting in this organization in a new way. As I begin this new role, I want to share three guiding principles that I hope will guide our next season of ministry together. These guiding principles are not the “how” or the “what” of our work- they are the “why.” It is important for ..read more