There are a lot of things that call for our attention in this world. A few things that come to mind are family, friends, vocation, health, and hobbies. Life is full of good things that we should give time and attention to, however I have found that the bulk of our time and attention tends to drift towards the things that we love the most. If one loves to fish (and I do!), that person will be intentional in finding time for it. If one loves his family, that person will make time to be … [Read more...]
The importance of relative care, foster care
Take just a moment and think back to when you were a child. Think about how you depended on your parents and family to take care of your needs. Think about your friends and all the familiar places and things you did. Now, use your imagination further – what if you had to be placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect? Imagine how traumatizing that would be. Would you want the case manager assigned to you to place you with someone you know (a relative or friend) or with someone you … [Read more...]
Will Democracy survive in the United States?
EDITOR'S NOTE: J. Alan Branch serves as professor of Christian ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This article first appeared on Midwestern's "For the Church" website, ftc.co. Carl F.H. Henry’s 1996 book Has Democracy Had Its Day? is a provocative and helpful reflection on American democracy as he considers its future in an era when the Christian faith has been shoved to the side in favor of highly individualized moral autonomy. Since Henry’s death in 2003, the dramatic … [Read more...]
The MBCH a ministry of Christ-centered hope
In 1 Corinthians 13:13, the apostle Paul writes, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Why? Why would Paul write that “the greatest of these is love”? Well, let’s look at what Jesus defines as love. In the Gospel of John 15:13-14, Jesus says to his disciples, “Greater love has no one that this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Love is most important because love is central … [Read more...]
Baptist Homes announces ‘Welcome Home’ campaign
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was written by Ronald Mackey, vice president of community engagement at Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries. Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is in a dynamic growth cycle unlike anytime in our history. In the span of three years, we have grown from four campuses (Arcadia Valley, Chillicothe, Ozark, and Ashland, which is under construction) to eight campuses (adding Smithville, Independence, Adrian, and Vandalia)—with ongoing negotiations to … [Read more...]
Missouri a battleground for next generation
EDITOR'S NOTE: Timothy Faber is Legislative Liaison for the Missouri Baptist Convention. The 2023 legislative session is in full swing. ... In fact, at times they are in overdrive. One committee in the House began a hearing on several bills related to LGB and transgender issues in our public schools. The hearing lasted for over nine hours – until 2 o’clock in the morning! To the casual observer, it would simply seem that politicians are inefficient and cannot accomplish anything. But one … [Read more...]
Do something to protect, show value of human life
As we enter a new year, it is fitting to begin with a focus and emphasis on the sanctity of life. President Ronald Reagan on January 13, 1984, issued a proclamation designating January 22 of that year as the first National Sanctity of Life Day. This was the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade where the Supreme Court ruled that abortion was legal. Regrettably not every president since Reagan has issued an annual proclamation, but that should not detract us. Life, regardless of what a … [Read more...]
The gift of hope, healing and restoration
When I was a child growing up in southern Missouri, my brothers and I always anticipated the arrival of the Sears Christmas Book. It was a catalog filled with pictures of toys, games and all sorts of good stuff. We would look through it over and over, marveling at all the items. After having to make some really tough decisions, we would prepare our Christmas wish lists. We were limited to how many items we could put on that list and we soon learned to list our wishes in order of priority. … [Read more...]
Finding a song of thanks
Thanksgiving can be a frustrating planning time of worship for the modern worship leader. Our choruses, while full of praise and adoration, don’t exactly have a “thanksgiving” quality; and any theologian will tell you that, while similar, there are differences between “praise” and “thanks.” However, I cannot just beat up on contemporary music; hymnody has its own set of thanksgiving issues. Our most well-known thanksgiving hymns are about the season of thanksgiving, but are not exactly … [Read more...]
Give thanks to the Lord … even when it’s hard!
EDITOR'S NOTE: James Morrow is vice president for the MBCH Foundation. The Bible makes it clear to us as followers of Christ it is our responsibility to give thanks to God in all the seasons of our lives. We know this is especially true right now. As believers things are changing rapidly before our eyes. Some of the logical and foundational views that we have all held are being challenged and overturned. This process can cause us real discouragement. What do we do as believers when we … [Read more...]
‘Adoption is trauma’: Thoughts from an adoptive parent
(NOTE: The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home encourages you and your churches to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month in November.) Back when my husband and I were fostering and the case plans were heading to adoption, I recall thinking, “Things will be easier once the adoption(s) go through.” Boy, was I wrong. Many years removed from the adoptions of our three kids, I now realize that waiting for the Judge to strike the gavel and legalize our adoptions was the easy part. I’ve been … [Read more...]
Ethnic & racial reconcilation: why it matters to me
EDITOR'S NOTE: Joanna Gonzalez-Mendez is a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield, and a member of the Missouri Baptist Convention's Racial Reconciliation Task Force. Being an immigrant is an identity that I have learned to appreciate. It has taken time to grasp the complexity of my immigrant story, the impact that it has had in my life and in the way others see me. It has also shaped and informed my understanding of the gospel. In Scripture, one of the most prevalent themes is … [Read more...]
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