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...]
Journey to pastorate included jail time for Fla. pastor
MIDDLEBURG, Fla. (BP) -- It's not the conventional road to the pastorate. "I wouldn't wish [my] story on anyone, but I wouldn't change anything about it, either," said Adam Wiggins, campus pastor of The Creek, a new campus of First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Fla., which is just outside of Jacksonville. Wiggins' path to the pulpit has been complicated, but it has ultimately landed him on staff with FBC Orange Park leading the church's newest effort to minister to an unreached … [Read more...]
It’s ‘never too late;’ 94-year-old woman gains new life in Christ
RUSTON, La. (BP) – Wearing a shower cap only moments from entering the baptismal waters, Ophelia White was beaming with excitement. With the encouragement of friends gathered in the Cook Baptist Church worship center, the 94-year-old new believer was baptized, answering the prayers of those closest to her. “I want people to know it’s never too late,” White said. “Get with it.” When she was a young girl, White’s mother urged her to go forward and ask to be baptized. Not fully realizing … [Read more...]
Special offering taken to multiply 42 churches
SPRINGFIELD – If Bob Roberts hears of a church member going out of town, he always inquires where they are going. “We have church plant partners in San Diego, Washington DC, and even Oahu, Hawaii so I like to tell them where they can visit one of our partners for Sunday worship and encourage them,” said Roberts, minister of missions at Second Baptist Church here. Through Second’s “Foundations for the Future” offering, the church has helped support 42 new church plants since 2010. In the … [Read more...]
Rural, urban churches grow in multisite merger
DEVILLE, La. (BP) – The permanent tie between the rural Philadelphia Baptist Church of Deville, La., and the urban Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in nearby Alexandria is less a merger than it is a joining of forces. About 750 people were in a March 2015 Sunday morning worship at Philadelphia Baptist Church Deville when the 30 remaining attendees at Horseshoe Drive Alexandria asked for help to keep the smaller congregation viable. “It’s very humbling and an honor they would see us as … [Read more...]
Pastor appreciation: Heartfelt letters have impact
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (BP) – While pastors appreciate the marriage getaways and financial gifts that sometimes come their way during Pastor Appreciation Month, Dave Miller suggests there may be something even more important to consider. “I think the best thing you can do if you really want to honor your pastor is to write him a letter,” said Miller, who is president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference and pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. “Tell him how his … [Read more...]
Making the Bronx ‘a better city’
THE BRONX, New York City (BP) – You’ve seen the pictures: burned-out buildings, junk cars littering vacant lots, drug dealers loitering on street corners. You’ve seen the news: In a single sweep recently, police arrested dozens of gang members accused of multiple murders, including the slaying of a 92-year-old woman. But the police can’t fix the Bronx. Social workers can’t heal the New York City borough, located north of Manhattan. Politicians? Israel Kelly has a better idea: the ABC … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 14
- Next Page »