Four reasons why you can be hopeful about the Southern Baptist Convention
By Ronnie Floyd The size and complexity of the Southern Baptist Convention often makes it the recipient of unfair criticism. I believe there are reasons why you can be hopeful about our convention today and for the future. This does not mean there are not issues to be...
The Launch List
An effective way to show appreciation to Sunday School/small group leaders by Diana Davis They’re on the front line of ministry in your church, dedicating countless hours every week to Bible lesson preparation, outreach contacts, and ministering to class members....
IMB leaders announce plan to balance budget, prepare for future
by IMB staff RICHMOND, Va.—International Mission Board leaders have outlined a plan to address IMB’s revenue shortfalls and complete a reset of the organization in order to move forward into thefuture with innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability....
10 Years of Partnership
by John Shaull, BCI Pastor / Church Support Staff A mission team from New Bridge Church is headed to Arua, Uganda. This marks the 10th year in a row that a team has gone from New Bridge. The church has been partners with IMB missionaries Stan and Pam Wafler and their...
Iowa Missions Offering Focus: Collegiate Ministries
Colleges and universities across Iowa are filled with the future leaders of our state. This is a critical time for these young people as they formulate their world views and make decisions about the purpose and direction of their lives. Iowa’s campus ministers and...
SBC Mental health advisory team gives final report
by Rebecca Wolford/SBCLIFE NASHVILLE (BP) -- Noting that we are in "a new day of awareness" about mental health issues, Frank S. Page expressed appreciation to the Mental Health Advisory Group at its culminating meeting and received the group's final report. In...
Developing stewards
by Jeff Iorg MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP) -- One of the casualties of the loss of discipleship focus in many churches is the absence of an intentional stewardship development strategy. Some pastors are afraid to "talk about money" in church (a ridiculous cop-out) and...
Six reasons why it is more difficult to lead your church to growth today
By Thom S. Rainer The conversation was both predictable and profound. It was predictable because I have been asked a similar question many times. It was profound because it represents the very nature of the challenges our congregations face today. “Thom,” he began. “I...
J.D. Greear shares counterintuitive message of a countercultural God
by Faith Morgan “True growth only comes through scattering and gain only comes by losing. It’s counterintuitive, but it’s true,” said sending church pastor J.D. Greear of Summit Church in Raleigh, N.C., keynote speaker for the opening session of the 2015 Send North...
New Orleans’ Katrina story still being written
by Joe McKeever NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- From the divine perspective, 10 years is a blip, one nanosecond in a timeless eternity. For us earthlings, it's one-eighth of a life expectancy. Even so, it's a convenient time to pull over and take inventory. Since Aug. 29, 2005,...
