Admittedly, the call was disappointing: another local church pastor, frustrated by the news about our national partners and the August 15 Department of Justice subpoena of the SBC. We are all disappointed that a zealous federal entity has breached the protocol of religious liberty and, in the least, created a public relations nightmare for our cooperative mission work. Another frustration is the reality that the Department of Justice launched an  investigation, and the details of the … [Read more...]

For 25 years, Team Yeats (Sharon and I) sat at the Recording Secretary’s desk to record the proceedings of the Southern Baptist Annual Meeting. We both agree, it’s been an honor to serve and to work with some of Southern Baptists’ finest servants. One thing the Recording Secretary does is relate to those people at the executive committee who do the behind-the-scenes work of publication preparation, logistical support, communications, and graphic design. As a matter of fact, both SBC … [Read more...]

Consider this prayer for Father’s Day: Heavenly Father, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; The whole earth is full of Your glory. Thank you, Father, for the examples of my dad and other men who invested themselves in my life for Your purposes. Although they were human and susceptible to sin, they stayed true, faithful, and godly. In this culture of mayhem, may the lives of these godly men be seen again as “normal” for all who love Christ and seek His will. May their faithfulness be … [Read more...]

In 2022, the print schedule for The Pathway places this issue just seven days from a very special day: Memorial Day. It was first called “Decoration Day,” the first national day of decorating the graves of those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our personal and religious freedom. More than 5,000 people participated in decorating the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. We’ve done our best to fill the day with other activities instead of grieving with families over the … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]