Jesus is not colorblind: Celebrating racial and ethnic diversity in the local church
By David E. Prince NOTE: The 2015 ERLC Leadership Summit will address "The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation" to equip Christians to apply the gospel on these issues with convictional kindness in their communities, their families, and their churches. This event will be...
Nine Concerns about Church Members Who Withhold Their Financial Gifts
By Thom S. Rainer The story is too common, but I hear such stories repeatedly. My most recent conversation was with a church leader where an affluent church member offered to make a large contribution to the renovation of the worship center. He had one stipulation:...
Prayer leads IMB workers to unreached people group living next door
By Paige Turner and Leah Zamora Supply bags in hand, the ministry team walked down the dirt path leading to the tin shacks set off from the main road. They spread two tarps across the ground like they do every week. The air offered its usual mixture of smoke and...
Pastor finds ‘strength in numbers’ through CP
by Karen L. Willoughby KENOSHA, Wisc. (BP) –- It was all there in the church constitution, Lenard Tavernelli realized when he became pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Kenosha, Wisc., in October, 2013. He didn't have to start something new, but just lead the...
Younger Southern Baptist involvement rising
by Tom Strode NASHVILLE (BP) -- Southern Baptists appear to be defying the prevalent notion that young adults are abandoning the American church -- at least by one measurement. Attendance by younger generations reached a 10-year high at the Southern Baptist...
Village Voices “Retired” pastor continues in ministry through singing at senior community
By Pastor Lewis Markwood I was asked to create a “mixed” (women and men) choral group in The Village in Indianola, in September 2013. The Village is a community of about 225 older adults, ages 55-103. We live on a 50 acre campus in town homes, independent living...
Churches of the Baptist Convention of Iowa: Good job!
By Tim Lubinus, Executive Director/Treasurer In 2014, the results are in, and our Baptist Convention of Iowa affiliated churches gave significantly more to our state and national mission partners in 2014 than in 2013. Our Cooperative Program giving increased twelve...
CP 3.25% ahead of projection
By BP Staff NASHVILLE (BP) -- Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist Convention national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 3.25 percent above the year-to-date budgeted projection, and are 4.97 percent above...
Have questions for North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell?
By Tim Lubinus, BCI Executive Director/Treasurer We have invited Kevin Ezell to be with us for a special video conference on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00am-11:30am at the First Family Church, 317 SE Magazine Rd, Ankeny, IA. This will be a great opportunity to hear...
The Most Frequent Burdens Pastors Face
By Chuck Lawless In my years of church consulting, I have spent hours talking to local church pastors. Much of the conversation revolves around church structure, vision, etc., but seldom does the conversation stay at that level. Pastors, it seems, long for someone to...
