The Coronavirus is creating stress and anxiety across our nation and all of us should continue to monitor this outbreak and be prepared to adjust as the situation evolves. We should take the outbreak very seriously but be sure of our facts and avoid panic. Here are facts and safety tips about Coronavirus: There... Continue Reading →
Baptist Leaders Call for Unified Care for Displaced People
This is a big enough issue and a big opportunity for the church to be the church in some of the most strategic areas here in the states and across the world. I think there needs to be a voice coming from our convention that would provide a structure for what we’re doing so that... Continue Reading →
I’m Not Trained, But I Did Stay at a Holiday Inn Last Night
Believers often ask in Disaster Relief, “Why do I have to go through training to serve as a volunteer? Why can’t I just go help people?” Preparation is important in any area of ministry, because it enables us to be more effective in ministry. The wisdom writer in Ecclesiastes 10:10 declared, “If the ax is dull,... Continue Reading →
The Key to Success
How do you measure success? The world looks at bank accounts, houses, prestige, degrees earned, or your position in the company. The athletic world looks at scores, games won, and championships attained. The church may look at membership rolls, worship attendance, the number of baptisms, or the size of buildings. All of these things are... Continue Reading →
How Will You Be A Voice For Life?
These Syrian children were forcibly displaced and now live as refugees with their mother in Athens, Greece. Over half of the world's refugees are children. In this family's case, their father had been killed. These children live with their mother in an apartment building that had been converted into a makeshift urban "camp." Near the... Continue Reading →
Wise Instruction for a Leader
Good leaders are deciders. Leaders make decisions and move forward. They may not always be right, but they do not allow themselves to be paralyzed by indecision. Great spiritual leadership recognizes the need for God to be integral in the process of decision-making. In Exodus 18: 19-21 Moses was given great leadership advice by his... Continue Reading →
Choose Obedience Over Safety
I talked with a pastor last week who was discouraged and hurting. The reason he was discouraged might surprise you, because worship attendance wasn’t down and the church wasn’t behind in the budget. It wasn’t because of internal fighting or dissatisfaction with his sermons. Instead, this pastor was discouraged because members felt like conducting ministry... Continue Reading →
WHY YOU SHOULD OPEN YOUR HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
The end of the year is often marked by a seemingly endless barrage of family gatherings, cookie swaps, white elephant gift exchanges, office parties and more. The holidays cause some to stress out and wonder if they can fit everything in. Others experience profound sadness as they reflect on the loss of a loved one... Continue Reading →
What’s in Your Wallet?
Jesus commanded each of us as His disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Our mandate as followers of Jesus Christ is to take the Gospel into all the world and to make the name of Christ known among all peoples. We are compelled to proclaim... Continue Reading →
A Cultural Change May Be Needed
Last week, at our annual state convention, we recognized churches that had shown marked improvement in their missions participation. Those churches understood the commandment we’ve been given to go and make disciples of all people and had intentionally sent their members out on mission. It was so interesting to learn of things the churches had... Continue Reading →