KANSAS CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) annual Engage Conference, Feb. 21-23, will feature Eric Bryant, a member of the leadership team at Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, and author of Not Like Me: A Field Guide for Influencing a Diverse World – formerly titled, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas. Bryant’s book challenges Christians to engage the diverse people that surround their churches, genuinely relating to them, guiding them to faith and developing them into leaders who share … [Read more...]
‘Normal Christianity’ comes with tears
Editor’s Note: *Denotes name changed for security. SPRINGFIELD – “Normal Christianity” brings persecution, missionary and author Nik Ripken* said during the Missouri Baptist Convention’s 2014 “Sowing in Tears” conference at Crossway Baptist Church here, Jan. 27-28. “In the Bible, persecution is normal,” Ripken said, reporting that “70 percent of all Christians practicing their faith live in environments of persecution.” When Ripken* entered Somalia with the International Mission … [Read more...]
‘Love your neighbor’ without endorsing sinful behavior
FORT WORTH (BP) – Christians can graciously speak the truth about homosexuality and biblical marriage, New Testament scholar Robert A.J. Gagnon said during an institute hosted by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Land Center for Cultural Engagement last year. Gagnon said that those who mention Jesus’ citation of Lev. 19:18, the command to love one’s neighbor, in defense of homosexuality and the redefinition of marriage often ignore the immediate context of this passage of … [Read more...]
Church security training planned for Sikeston, Feb. 15
SIKESTON – The Missouri Baptist Convention has organized another church security and intruder awareness training at Miner Baptist Church in Sikeston, Feb. 15. To register, visit www.mobaptist.org/church-security. Who should attend? • Church Ushers • Church Greeters • Church Leadership • Security/Safety Personnel • Parking Control Personnel • Deacons/Elders • Volunteers • First Line Reception Personnel Topics Covered: • History and demographics of church … [Read more...]
Engage to feature author of ‘Not Like Me’
KANSAS CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) annual Engage Conference, Feb. 21-23, will feature Eric Bryant, a member of the leadership team at Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, and author of Not Like Me – formerly titled, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas. Bryant’s book challenges Christians to engage the diverse people that surround their churches, genuinely relating to them, guiding them to faith and developing them into leaders who share the church’s values and … [Read more...]
‘Mom, I’m gay. Do you still love me?’
JEFFERSON CITY – During much of her life Ann Mobley did not greatly concern herself with homosexuality. Regarding the biblical stance on homosexuality, she knew what most Christian parents know about it – namely, that homosexual acts are censured in Leviticus and Romans. “Homosexuality was just a word to me,” Mobley, a member of Jefferson City’s Concord Baptist Church, told The Pathway. Then on Easter Sunday, 1992, homosexuality suddenly “had a face, the face of my son.” Her 25-year-old … [Read more...]
Attorney defending Hobby Lobby to speak at Worldview Conference
HANNIBAL – Joshua Hawley, associate professor of law at the University of Missouri, will speak at the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) annual Worldview Conference here, April 3, less than two weeks after he stands before the United States Supreme Court in a landmark case on religious liberty. Hawley serves on the legal team that will defend Hobby Lobby before the Supreme Court, March 25. The Green family – the Southern Baptist owners of Hobby Lobby – filed a lawsuit against the … [Read more...]
The historical Jesus
Nearly a decade ago, an article in Popular Mechanics reported that forensic scientists had reconstructed the “real face of Jesus.” Their reconstruction differed sharply from the typical portraits of Jesus that portrayed Christ with graceful features, light skin and flowing, brown hair. Instead, these scientists gave Jesus large dark eyes, black hair and tawny skin; bushy eyebrows and a short, frizzed moustache, beard and hair; as well as strong cheek bones and a bulbous nose. However … [Read more...]
Do you believe that Mary is the mother of God?
Do you believe that the virgin Mary is the mother of God? Baptists have prudently avoided describing Mary in this way, since the biblical writers never call her the “mother of God” and since this description has too often led to an idolatrous adoration of Mary. Nevertheless, this question goes to the heart of what we celebrate during the Christmas season – namely, the birth of Jesus Christ, who was both fully God and fully man. Let me explain. In the first five centuries following … [Read more...]
Saeed Abedini’s wife testifies before Congress
WASHINGTON (BP) – Less than two weeks before Christmas, Naghmeh Abedini testified before Congress on behalf of her husband, U.S. citizen and pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran since last June because of his Christian faith. “My husband is suffering because he is a Christian,” Abedini said when she addressed a subcommittee hearing of the House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee on Dec. 12. “He is suffering because he is an American. Yet, his own government … [Read more...]
Executive Board modifies church planting policy
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Board members unanimously approved a new, comprehensive church-planting strategy, designed to foster the multiplication of new churches that will reach the lost throughout Missouri. According to the Dec. 10 recommendation, the MBC will open statewide training centers “in order to become more responsive to church planting opportunities.” It states, “We are creating regional networks and simplifying the assessment and training … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist Convention defines church planting code of conduct
JEFFERSON CITY – Church planters who desire to cooperate with the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) must maintain a high standard of conduct, MBC Executive Board members insisted during a recent meeting. According to a recommendation approved by the board Dec. 10, church planters “must go through a separate, thorough MBC assessment process including credit and criminal background checks; must affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000; and must sign an MBC code of conduct that commits, … [Read more...]