Thursday, June 23, 2016

• 'Untapped source' for missions discussed

  by Karen L. Willoughby, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  

  Photo by Jenna Wachsmuth

  ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Professionals -- people with experience in business, education, sales, medicine and more -- can help start and grow churches in places career missionaries cannot go by using their skills to network with other professionals in cities around the globe, a panel of Baptist leaders determined June 13 in St. Louis.

  "We want to encourage any professional and soon-to-retire professional to consider this," said Sebastian Traeger, executive vice president at the International Mission Board in Richmond, Va. Traeger was part of one of 18 Cooperative Program panels held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. "They'll be in the context of the city they're in, and could be most effective.... We're talking cities of 5 to 25 million people or more." Read More

• Pastors & politics considered by 9Marks panel

  by Tom Strode and Harper McKay, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  

  Photo by Chris Carter

  ST. LOUIS (BP) -- The "moral formation" and unity of the church are two vital considerations for a pastor in guiding God's people during a disturbing presidential election season, attendees were told at the first of two 9Marks panel discussions held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in St. Louis.

  SBC entity heads and a pastor assessed the convention and its proceedings during a second 9Marks discussion the following evening. The sessions were sponsored by 9Marks, a church health ministry based in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission June 13 and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary June 14. Read More

• Pro-lifers protest requiring churches to cover abortions

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pro-life advocates are protesting a new Obama administration decision that permits the state of California to force even churches to cover abortions in their health insurance plans. Read More

• TRUSTEES: NAMB celebrates Send Relief launch

  by Mike Ebert, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  

  Photo by Susan Whitley

  ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Trustees of the North American Mission Board met June 13 and approved the entity's 2017 budget, voted on several recommendations, heard reports on NAMB's church planting efforts and celebrated the launch of Send Relief.

  In his report to trustees, NAMB President Kevin Ezell noted highlights from NAMB's launch of its Send Relief compassion ministry in conjunction with the SBC's annual meeting in St. Louis, June 14-15. NAMB also hosted a June 13 luncheon attended by 3,000 during the SBC Pastors' Conference and helped coordinate a block party during Crossover evangelism efforts at First Baptist Ferguson, Mo. The block party featured a mobile medical clinic, mobile dental clinic and installation of smoke detectors in homes near the church, in partnership with the American Red Cross. Read More

• Center for Public Theology launches at Midwestern

  by T. Patrick Hudson, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) -- The new Center for Public Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary aims to equip the church "for theological engagement in a fallen order and a secularizing public square," as described by MBTS President Jason Allen.

  Allen has named Owen Strachan as the center's director. Read More

• Bible Study: June 26, 2016

  by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: The danger of plenty

  by Kathy Howard, posted Thursday, June 23, 2016 (8 years ago)

  Abundance can spark a chain of dangers, from forgetfulness of God to idolatry, Kathy Howard writes. Her counsel: "Remember God's past provision. Remember God's equipping for work. Remember God's rightful place as the one true God who deserves our worship." Read More