• Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • About
  • Home

Pathway

Missouri Baptist Convention's Official News Journal

  • Missouri
    • MBC
    • Churches
    • Institutions & Agencies
    • Policy
    • Disaster Relief
  • National
    • SBC Annual Meeting
    • NAMB
    • SBC
    • Churches
    • Policy
    • Society & Culture
  • Global
    • Missions
    • Multicultural
  • Columnists
    • Wes Fowler
    • Ben Hawkins
    • Pat Lamb
    • Rhonda Rhea
    • Rob Phillips
  • Ethics
    • Life
    • Liberty
    • Family
  • Faith
    • Apologetics
    • Religions
    • Evangelism
    • Missions
    • Bible Study & Devotion
  • E-Edition

More results...

Dr. Rodney Harrison

Advocates for the aging

August 17, 2020 By Rodney Harrison

The Baptist Home has been a sanctity of life ministry since 1913. Although many focus on abortion as the principal sanctity of life concern, Baptists affirm “the sanctity of life from conception to natural death,” (BFM2000, Article XV).  Consequently, advocating for the aging, serving in a Christlike manner, and providing biblically informed resources for the family and the church relating to aging is our purpose. To do less, would be to fall short of the mandate to honor the aged (Leviticus 19:32).

In writing this inaugural column, I thought it prudent to provide Missouri Baptists an update on “Happenings at the Home.” In April 2019, The Home was formally restored as a ministry of the Missouri Baptist Convention. On behalf of Missouri Baptists, let me say once again, “It is good to be home.” This past April, I was elected as the seventh president of The Home.  At this meeting, the board also approved a task force to oversee a process to prepare The Home for a bright future and establish a main office at The Baptist Building in Jefferson City. To date, the task force process has involved over 50 employees of The Home, area pastors, and TBH Executive Committee. In future columns, I look forward to highlighting the work of the task force.

Since early 2020, the leadership of The Home have engaged in focused prayer for our residents and caregivers during this current pandemic. As of this writing, The Home has not experienced any cases of COVID-19.

I would be amiss not to address a few misconceptions about The Baptist Home.

• Misconception One: Residents have to sign over all assets to The Home prior to admission. This common misconception is rooted in the past. There was a time when residents received 100% benevolent care in exchange for 100% of their assets. This is no longer the case.

• Misconception Two: There is a multi-year waiting list to get into The Home. Although this was true in the past, with the addition of campuses in Chillicothe, Ozark and Ashland, the days of endless waits are gone. Depending on the level of care needed, some locations have immediate openings.

• Misconception Three: The Baptist Home only serves Missouri Baptists. There was a time when admission to The Home required MBC membership and a nomination for residency by the local church. Today, the quality care provided by The Home is aimed at serving Missouri Baptists. However, other Christian faiths are welcome at The Home. Consequently, friends or family members who may not be members of Missouri Baptist churches may make application.

There are also several realities that should be reinforced.

• Reality One: The Baptist Home is not a Medicare/Medicaid provider. As a not-for-profit benevolence ministry, The Home serves through a combination of private pay and benevolent care.  Benevolence support offsets the cost of care for 70% of the residents requiring assisted care.

• Reality Two: The majority of residents are from Missouri Baptist churches. Although the requirement to be a member of a Missouri Baptist Convention church was lifted in 2006, over 90% of residents are Missouri Baptists.

• Reality Three: The Baptist Home is not just a nursing home! From the luxurious new independent living homes in Ashland to the affordable apartments in Ironton, TBH offers a wide range of senior housing to serve the needs of Missouri Baptists.

For more information about The Home and the growing number of resources available, go to www.thebaptisthome.org or call (866) 454-2709, toll free.

Comments

Featured Videos

Lick Creek Fellowship - A Story of Cooperation

A declining rural church faced closure after years of dwindling attendance and aging members. But after the doors closed, a small group stepped in to build something fresh from its legacy. Watch this video to hear this story of cooperation and new life.

Find More Videos

Trending

  • Eight resolutions proposed for 2025 SBC Annual Meeting

  • IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

  • Missouri lawmakers approve bill allowing school chaplains

  • Tornado strikes St. Louis, Missouri Baptists quick to respond

  • Southern Baptists to vote on Business and Financial Plan that emphasizes trustee governance

  • Amendment on role of women in pastoral ministry fails to achieve 2/3 vote

Ethics

Supreme Court unanimously sides with Catholic Charities in religious liberty case

Timothy Cockes

The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a Catholic benevolent ministry qualifies for a tax exemption granted to churches.

Pro-life, pro-adoption bill awaits Missouri governor’s signature

Timothy Faber

More Ethics Stories

Missouri

SBU to host higher ed panel at 2025 SBC annual meeting

Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University will be hosting an expert panel of higher education leaders at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas to discuss the value of and challenges facing Christian colleges and universities.

Copyright © 2025 · The Pathway