Pastor Appreciation Month Sparks Opportunity
by Tobin Perry NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- With two jobs, a pastorate and a full slate of courses at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, pastor Toby Brogden was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted when he showed up for a class last month. "Look, I am stretched, just as...
Hard Questions About The Cooperative Program That Cannot Be Ignored
By Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President of the Southern Baptist Convention. This past Monday night, I spoke to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. Besides this national committee, in the room were leaders of our national Southern Baptist entities and...
Should churches give in the same way they expect their members to give?
By Tim Lubinus, BCI Executive Director/Treasurer We've all observed that churches are similar to church members in their charitable giving: some are just beginners, some give sacrificially and generously, and most give a single digit percent of contributions/income....
#TestifyTuesday – Billie, a student leader at Salt Company
Billie started attending the Salt Company in Iowa City last year, and after a year of being in community she is now a student leader. This is her story. I've been attending church my entire life, and I gave my life to Christ at a Kid's Camp through my church the...
Pastor Appreciation Month in October
By Michael Lewis Pastors play a critical role in penetrating lostness in North America. It’s not an easy job. It includes long days and nights of preparing sermons, counseling the hurting and praying for the congregation. Ministry leadership is tough work. Take Moses...
Moore: Christians face new, challenging day
by Tom Strode NASHVILLE (BP) -- Christians in an increasingly secularized society face the challenge of evangelizing people in a culture that does not know the right questions nor answers, Russell D. Moore said in his report to the Ethics & Religious Liberty...
Mental illness remains taboo topic for pastors
by Bob Smietana NASHVILLE (BP) -- One in four Americans has suffered from some kind of mental illness. Many look to their church for spiritual guidance in times of distress. But a new LifeWay study shows they are unlikely to find much help on Sunday mornings. Most...
NAMB Sponsored 1-800 Care Line for Pastors
Background The daily stress and pressure of serving as a Pastor and/or Planter are frequently brought to the attention of the North American Mission Board staff. Research verifies that over time these daily pressures take their toll on Pastors, causing...
New Church Planting Research Tool Available
We've just built a new web-based research tool for use in our ministry across Iowa. I think it will be especially beneficial to understand our communities and to reach new ones. The tool can help identify towns and cities by population, growth rate, community type, or...
Change the Cooperative Program? First I think we need to try fully implementing it!
By Tim Lubinus, BCI Executive Director/Treasurer When I began as mission’s pastor in Iowa, one of my assignments was to prepare the annual mission’s budget (including the Cooperative Program allocation). I had just come back from service with the International Mission...
