NASHVILLE (BP) – Amid continuing discussion of churches’ escrowing or withholding Cooperative Program funds, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee launched two efforts to study the issue at its Feb. 20-21 meeting in Nashville. The EC also authorized its officers to study the feasibility of selling the SBC Building in downtown Nashville. The EC declined to recommend amending Article III of the SBC Constitution to list racial discrimination as evidence a church is not in … [Read more...]
Prestonwood escrows CP funds, cites ERLC actions
PLANO, Texas (BP) – A Dallas-area megachurch has decided to escrow Cooperative Program funds temporarily in order to evaluate future support of Southern Baptist Convention causes. At issue are what the congregation calls "various significant positions taken by the leadership of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission that do not reflect the beliefs and values of many in the Southern Baptist Convention," according to a statement the church released to Louisiana's Baptist Message … [Read more...]
Prayer strategy augments church’s missions focus
PEORIA, Ill. (BP) – Pastor Joel Newton anticipates Woodland Baptist Church will grow closer to God with the congregation’s new emphasis on prayer, adding to commitments to missions giving and going. During the Jan. 22 Sunday morning worship, the church embarked on its new “Choose 2 Prayer Partner Project.” “Everything begins with prayer,” Newton told Baptist Press. “Prayer was a priority for the New Testament church.” Newton led his staff and other church leaders to build a prayer … [Read more...]
South County hosts ‘Night to Shine’
ST. LOUIS – It’s not unusual for churches to roll out a figurative red carpet, but South County Baptist Church here literally rolled out the red carpet for 107 “VIP guests” Feb. 10, complete with “paparazzi.” The church also hosted limo rides, hair and makeup stations, corsages and boutonnieres, shoe shines, professional photography, dinner, a DJ, karaoke and a dance as part of Night to Shine, a partnership between the Tim Tebow Foundation and 375 churches worldwide to provide an … [Read more...]
Baptisms, outreach to military, draw church’s focus
LEESVILLE, La. (BP) -- Sherry Slaydon gave her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren a priceless gift -- the opportunity to celebrate her new life in Christ by being present at her baptism. "I pray watching their grandma proclaim her love for God was an inspiration to them," said Slaydon of her baptism that took place at East Leesville Baptist Church in Louisiana shortly before Christmas this past December. "I had people tell me I had a glow afterward … words can't describe the … [Read more...]
El Paso-area church takes over local bar
SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (BP) -- An El Paso-area church withstood the opposition of alleged drug traffickers and credit the protection of God as they sought to expand their presence in a strip shopping center in San Elizario, a city of 5,000 in El Paso County. Iglesia Bautista Dios con Nosotros, translated in English as "God with Us Baptist Church," quickly outgrew the small space rented in 2012 and expanded the storefront. Within a few years, they again needed more room, but the owner of … [Read more...]
New pastors network looking to help leaders ‘stand in the gap’
ST. ROBERT – Pastors in Missouri have a new tool at their disposal as they try to stay abreast of a changing culture and legal landscape. The non-denominational American Pastors Network has a new arm in Missouri. Keith Carnahan, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in St. Robert is the president of the Missouri Pastors Network, and Monte Shinkle, pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, is the vice president. The networks’ mission is to identify, encourage, equip, educate and … [Read more...]
Most churches hold Sunday services, Super Bowl or not
For churches that have Sunday night activities, most pastors say it’s still “game on” despite the big game next weekend. According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, 68 percent of Protestant pastors say their church typically has some activity on Sunday night. And among those pastors, almost 6 in 10 (59 percent) say they will continue as normal on the night of the Super Bowl. “It is easy to think everyone is watching the game,” said Scott McConnell, executive director … [Read more...]
Tennessee pastor resigns as IMB trustee over Mosque
MORRISTOWN — A Tennessee Baptist pastor has resigned as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board in response to an action taken by IMB leadership last summer. He had another year to serve on his present term. Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, told the Baptist and Reflector his resignation was in response to the IMB’s May 2016 decision to sign an amicus brief in support of a mosque to be built in New Jersey. “I love our IMB … [Read more...]
Church’s Christmas story undaunted by hurricane
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (BP) – Michael Arnold and his family were among hundreds of St. Augustine residents who fled their homes two months ago as Hurricane Matthew trailed close behind. And while St. Augustine, known as the nation’s oldest city, didn’t take a direct hit from the hurricane, coastal flooding from its storm surge and near-hurricane-force winds wreaked havoc and destruction for many who call it home. When the bridges reopened and Arnold returned home after a three-day mandatory … [Read more...]
Gatlinburg fire suspects elicit churches’ sympathy
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (BP) -- The arrests of two teenagers in connection with deadly wildfires in and around Gatlinburg, Tenn., have provoked expressions of sadness from three local Southern Baptist congregations that lost buildings in the blaze. The three Gatlinburg churches -- Roaring Fork Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and Banner Baptist Church -- also report God's continued work in their midst, including at least four first-time professions of faith in Christ over the past two … [Read more...]
Most Churches Open for Business on Christmas, New Year’s Day, Say Pastors
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—More than half of Americans plan to go to church at Christmastime. And most Protestant pastors will keep the doors open for them. Nearly 9 out of 10 Protestant senior pastors say their churches plan to hold services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as both fall on a Sunday, according to a recent survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. More than 7 in 10 Protestant senior pastors say their churches plan to hold Christmas Eve services. And more than a few … [Read more...]
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