NASHVILLE (BP) – A new tax rule in conjunction with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may affect many churches that pay or reimburse individual health insurance premiums, and imposes daily fines beginning June 30 for those not in compliance. GuideStone Financial Resources health plan participants should notice no impact as a result of the rule known as IRS Notice 2015-17, GuideStone said in a March 2 press release. Other churches whose employees do not participate in a group … [Read more...]
Once a fishing guide, now a CP-committed pastor
EDITOR'S NOTE: Cooperative Program Sunday is April 12 in the Southern Baptist Convention. WATER VALLEY, Ky. (BP) – Jimmy Brown trusts the Lord whenever he goes fishing, whether the fishing hole is filled with lake water or the silt of an undredged life. "I had never realized the similarities between fishing, soul-winning and pastoring," said Brown, a former professional fishing guide on Kentucky Lake who has been pastor of Pilot Oak Baptist Church in western Kentucky since … [Read more...]
Your church can be an Easter illustration
WEBSTER GROVES (BP) – For years in Southern Baptist life the message among pastors about plateaued and dying churches was simple -- stay away. As a church planter, I believed, and experience had shown me, that it was easier to start a new church rather than resurrect a dying church with damaged DNA. But there was a problem with that belief. Jesus is in the resurrection business. The church must be as well. When a community sees a once-dead church become a thriving, Gospel-proclaiming, … [Read more...]
Race summit urges view of God’s image
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Racial reconciliation in the church calls for a strong view of the image of God in all people, a deep commitment to understanding others and an intentionality in achieving diversity, speakers said on the second day of a Southern Baptist-sponsored leadership summit. Christians must see the image of God in all people without minimizing their differences, African-American speakers said.Black, white, Asian and Iranian pastors and leaders addressed racial disunity Friday … [Read more...]
Ind. bill affirms ‘inclusion’ of religious beliefs
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (BP) – Indiana's leading Republican lawmakers pledged today (March 30) to introduce language to the state's new religious freedom bill to clarify it does not allow discrimination against homosexuals, but seeks inclusion of religious diversity. House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said at today's press conference that backlash generated by the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), signed into law March 26, is based on a … [Read more...]
‘A.D. – The Bible Continues’ launches April 5
NASHVILLE (BP) – Actress and producer Roma Downey and reality TV show producer Mark Burnett shared with media professionals about the making of “A.D.: The Bible Continues,” their follow-up project to the popular TV series “The Bible.” The newest series is a 12-part continuation of The Bible that portrays the history of the early church according to the first 10 chapters of Acts. The series will air on NBC beginning Easter, April 5. Filmed in Morocco, A.D. will delve into the book of Acts … [Read more...]
Jailed pastor offers son ‘gift of salvation’
BOISE, Idaho (BP) – Written in the wobbly penmanship of a 7-year-old who has said he misses his dad “a thousand lots,” Jacob’s card invites his father to his birthday party today, March 17. But his father, American pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned since Sept. 26, 2012, under harsh conditions in Iran because of his Christian faith, cannot attend at the family’s home in Boise, Idaho. Instead, Abedini wrote a letter offering his son the “gift of salvation.” “Even though I AM NOT there with … [Read more...]
Setbacks and victories of religious freedom
NASHVILLE (BP) – The freedom to live according to one's religious beliefs has been a fundamental right in America since its founding. As the culture changes and those opposed to biblical values become more vocal, it is becoming increasingly difficult to express religious beliefs without being socially ostracized or legally penalized. The following compilation by SBCLIFE, the journal of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, lists many of the political and cultural … [Read more...]
CP ‘a tool to obey the Great Commission’
KELLER, Texas (BP) – Keith Sanders, pastor for the last 10 years of First Baptist Church in Keller, Texas, describes the church’s love for missions as “almost a wildfire out of control.” Nearly every month, a First Baptist Keller member participates in a short-term mission trip; the congregation is about to begin its fourth church plant; and its Cooperative Program giving has more than tripled over the last seven years, Sanders said. “The Lord has blessed our church tremendously, … [Read more...]
SBC presidents send open letter to Obama
NASHVILLE (BP) – In an open letter, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd, along with the support and signatures of 16 former SBC presidents, called on President Obama to "take the necessary actions now" against ISIS terrorists. "Since ISIS is a continuing threat to world peace in a way unknown to us since the Nazis of World War II, we humbly call upon you to use the influence and power of your distinguished office to take the necessary actions now in this urgent hour to … [Read more...]
David Platt compelled by ‘5 desires’ for IMB
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (BP) – David Platt has “five desires that are driving me” as president of the International Mission Board. Platt, speaking to editors of Baptist state papers Feb. 10, listed the desires that are key to him at the six-month point of his leadership of Southern Baptists’ overseas missions initiatives: “to exalt Christ” “to mobilize Christians” “to equip the church” “to facilitate church planting” “to play our part in the accomplishment of the Great … [Read more...]
Naghmeh Abedini shares evangelism passion
EULESS, Texas (BP) – Naghmeh Abedini, whose husband Saeed Abedini is imprisoned in an Iranian prison for sharing his Christian faith, expressed her passion -- and her husband's passion -- for rescuing "that one sheep" with the Gospel during an evangelism conference, Feb. 23. Naghmeh was one of the speakers at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention's Empower Conference at First Baptist Church (First Euless) in Euless, Texas. During her message, she said the evening before she had … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- …
- 38
- Next Page »