NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LifeWay Christian Resources’ board of trustees authorized a recommendation for the organization’s executive team to pursue viable options for the disposition of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps including, but not limited to, transfer or sale to SBC entities, state conventions or other external parties. The trustee executive committee presented the recommendation to the full board of trustees during a meeting held via Zoom on April 23. The board unanimously … [Read more...]
LifeWay’s Mandrell announces renewed mission and focus
NASHVILLE (BP) – LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Ben Mandrell unveiled to trustees a new organizational structure and mission statement to align the organization for future ministry and growth. LifeWay president and CEO Ben Mandrell explains the organization's new mission statement to trustees gathered in Nashville for their biannual meeting, Feb. 3-4, 2020. LifeWay experienced a successful transition in closing its brick-and-mortar retail chain in 2019 and saw significant growth in its … [Read more...]
BREAKING: Mandrell announced as candidate for LifeWay president and CEO
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The presidential search committee of LifeWay Christian Resources’ trustees has unanimously recommended Dr. Ben Mandrell become the entity’s next president and CEO. LifeWay’s board of trustees will vote on the recommendation during a special-called session Friday, June 28, in Atlanta. If elected, Mandrell will become the 10th president of the 128-year-old organization. Mandrell, 42, serves as lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. He and his family moved … [Read more...]
BREAKING: LifeWay to close all brick & mortar stores in 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LifeWay Christian Resources is charting a new course in 2019 marking a strategic shift of resources to a dynamic digital strategy. As part of the transition, LifeWay will close its 170 brick-and-mortar stores in 2019. The organization will continue to offer a broad selection of resources through LifeWay.com and the LifeWay Customer Service Center (1-800-458-2772). LifeWay Customer Service hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Central). LifeWay will also continue … [Read more...]
Transitions spur LifeWay trustees to prayer, Rainer gives final presidential address
NASHVILLE, Tennessee—LifeWay Christian Resources trustees gathered for their first meeting of 2019 with their sights set on a season of transition and hopeful prayer for the future. Even on the heels of recent news that LifeWay will close a number of stores and shift toward a more dynamic digital strategy driven by online commerce, President and CEO Thom S. Rainer, who announced his pending retirement at the August 2018 trustee meeting, has confidence in the weeks, months and years … [Read more...]
Pastor salaries not keeping pace with inflation
NASHVILLE (BP) – Compensation for full-time Southern Baptist pastors and church staff has lagged behind the growth in the cost-of-living over the past two years. And health insurance coverage remains low, according to the 2018 SBC Church Compensation Study. The biannual study is a joint project of state Baptist conventions, GuideStone Financial Resources and LifeWay Christian Resources. Compensation and congregational data is collected anonymously from ministers and office/custodial … [Read more...]
LifeWay trustees begin search for new president
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LifeWay Christian Resources trustees began the initial steps to search for a successor to President and CEO Thom S. Rainer during their Aug. 27-28 meeting in Nashville. Trustee chairman Jimmy Scroggins named a seven-person search committee to find LifeWay’s next leader. The trustees’ presidential search committee will be led by Kent Dacus, vice president of student services at California Baptist University, as committee chair. Dacus is a member of The Grove … [Read more...]
BREAKING: Thom S. Rainer announces retirement from LifeWay
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer announced today (Aug. 27) his plans to retire in the coming year. To provide adequate time for the search process for the next president and CEO and for a smooth transition, Rainer said he will serve until a new president is named or through the end of August 2019, whichever comes first. Rainer told trustees during his report at their August 27-28 meeting in Nashville he is confident in the future of … [Read more...]
Scientology set to launch TV Network
NASHVILLE (BP) -- The Church of Scientology announced Sunday (March 11) they're launching the Scientology Network, which will debut today on several streaming services. "HELLO WORLD, and greetings from Scientology Media Productions in Hollywood, Calif., read a tweet from @ScientologyTV. "It's TIME for us to tell OUR story …" The religion begun by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard has been the focus of investigative projects such as the documentary film "Going Clear: Scientology … [Read more...]