Everyday people make decisions. Some decisions are more consequential than others. When it comes to the big decisions in life, the time between age 16 and the early 20s has a huge impact on the trajectory of a person’s life. As a person emerges from adolescence to early adulthood, many decisions are made about the people you choose to spend time with. Who has your best interest at heart to help you fulfill your purpose in life? Reality check: from a Christ-follower’s perspective, the life … [Read more...]
The lifeline
You may remember the television game show, “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”. During the game, a contestant could use a lifeline. That is, he or she could call someone for a hint to a question. If answered correctly, the contestant continued to progress toward a potential win. In the course of our personal and spiritual journey, we all need a “lifeline” from time to time. The ancient image is that of holding the rope for others in the midst of a storm. Lives depended on the faithfulness of … [Read more...]
A day like no other
Resurrection Day is this coming Sunday! Hallelujah!! Celebrate, for our Christ has risen from the grave! Indeed!! In 1 Corinthians 15: 20-23 we read, “But as it is, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His … [Read more...]
Get well, lead well, finish well
Over the last four columns, I’ve attempted to unpack the functions of a state convention. Now, we should ask: What is a practical example of these functions? For church leaders, the function that perhaps brings the greatest value to both the minister and the local church is the work of the MBC Leader Care Network operating within the Developing Leaders Group. “The Leader Care Network helps Missouri Baptist church leaders get well, lead well, and finish well,” says Jim Misloski director of … [Read more...]
Why your state convention is important today? (part 3)
Why a state convention? As we learned in the last issue, a state convention plays an important role in what the Lord is doing among a network of Bible-believing, evangelistic, mission-minded churches. Specifically, the state convention is an Ephesians 4 ministry that facilitates the networking of our churches to do “effective working” of those kinds of ministries that are larger than one congregation. Historically and pragmatically, there are seven unique functions cooperating churches … [Read more...]
Why your state convention is important today? (part 2)
In this issue we continue to ask the question, “Why?” Like inquisitive children, every organization needs to examine the “Why?” What do they do that no other organization does at that level? Churches need to ask that question, too, but for entirely different reasons. One reason is so that churches stay on their biblical mission mandate – namely, to make disciples. Churches are engaged in reaching new people with the gospel, and they also are engaged in engaging new and older saints in … [Read more...]
Why is your state convention important today?
As with all organizations, the Missouri Baptist Convention needs to ask the question, “Why?” Why are we an important part of what the Lord is doing among a network of Bible-believing, evangelistic, mission-minded churches located in the center of the Heartland? Some people point to Acts 1:8 and describe the state ministry as a “Judea” ministry. The result is a relational and authentic ministry that works with local churches and church leaders to transforms lives and communities with the … [Read more...]
The value of a human life
While convalescing from Covid, I found time to read some academic papers. One caught my attention in a significant way—the statistical value of a human life. Based on nine different studies, the U.S. Department of Transportation determined that the statistical value of a human life is somewhere near $9 million. The Department of Transportation uses this kind of information to determine long-term, multigenerational trends and the economic impact of developing various forms of … [Read more...]
Historical treasures
Along the journey, it’s not uncommon to touch, handle or restore historical treasures. Last week, with the help of a friend, I held a family bible that I paid to have restored. When I became the guardian of this family treasure, it was in really rough shape – so much so that I didn’t recognize it as the complete New Testament. Today, it is a beautiful treasure that lists my grandmother’s birth, marriage, and untimely death in 1967. This week, my hands held another historical treasure. As … [Read more...]
Probation: an opportunity to clarify
Just hearing the word “Probation” throws your mind into a judicial framework of a person not sentenced to incarceration but to a sentence with regulated activities on the “outside.” For the younger at heart, they may remember their moms pronouncing, “Alright young man, into the corner you go for a time out!” While the restraints are not fun at the moment, people become better people because of the discipline. As you read this issue of The Pathway you can see the story released by … [Read more...]
Reports, preaching, business and diapers
At our 2021 annual meeting in Branson, Missouri Baptists heard incredible reports, listened to wonderful Bible preaching, and participated in significant business. Our churches sent 1,194 messengers and 267 registered visitors, making our state convention’s meeting one of the largest in recent memory. Behind the scenes, your Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) staff worked hundreds of hours to provide hospitality, sound, streaming, registration and everything needed to help messengers have … [Read more...]
What should you remember when you are the minority in a monumental decision?
You don’t lead very long until you experience an opportunity to be a minority voice in the context of a monumental decision. You study and work hard to find amenable solutions, but the majority chooses to follow a course with which you disagree. Many times, people in the minority simply walk away . . . angry. In the context of church life, I have witnessed through the years a multiplicity of inappropriate actions and attitudes. Sometimes people in the minority sour and express themselves … [Read more...]
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