Central Thoughts on the Church in the 21st Century

On the brink of a new century and surrounded by vast cultural changes, faculty members of Central Baptist Theological Seminary offer their unique perspectives to help the church transition into the 21st century. Their reflections on education, worship, discipleship, the Bible, stewardship, missions, spirituality, and ethics offer guidance for the future and celebrate the Christian faith.

"As we attempt to envision what our lives and our churches will look like in the 21st century, it would be terrible if we fell into despair because so much of what we want and feel entitled to will be absent.There have been other centuries of uncertainty and struggle. God calls us to be faithful.God's intentions to bless the creation will not diminish, and God's promises to be with us to the end will not be withdrawn."

-From the Introduction

Thomas E.Clifton is President of Central Baptist Theological Seminary and has served churches in New York, Indiana, and Ohio. He holds degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Wright State University, Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary, and William Jewell College. Clifton has published articles in Baptist Leader, Capitol Report, and Lectionary Homiletics, and he writes curriculum for Judson Press. He and his wife, Audrey, have two adult children.