Not for the first time, the head of the Roman Catholic Church sparked debate earlier this month after apparently preaching religious pluralism to crowds gathered in the southeast Asian nation of Singapore. “All religions are a path to God,” Pope Francis said, according to a Sept. 13th report from The Catholic Herald. He added, “They are like different languages in order to arrive at God.” According to the news report, the pope used “similar language at an interfaith meeting during a 2022 … [Read more...]
The case for early morning prayer
Does your morning schedule affect your prayer life? Is the time you pray important? Someone once said that there are two kinds of Christians: One wakes up and says, “Good morning, Lord!” The other says, “Good Lord…morning.” Should this difference affect your prayer life? The morning difference In the Harvard Business Review, Dr. Christoph Randler, a neuroscientist from the University of Tübingen, writes about the advantages of early rising. His research finds that early risers, “…get … [Read more...]
Prayer, fasting, the power of God
John Wesley took a dim view of pre-revival America, but he had a plan to change it. Wesley spent time in the colonies and reported, “I desired as many as could to join together in fasting and prayer, that God would restore the spirit of love and of a sound mind to the poor deluded rebels in America.” Even a side glance at the current cultural moment demonstrates that prayer and fasting are just as urgently needed for the “poor deluded rebels in America” today as they were when the nation … [Read more...]
Kids can learn through play
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 NKJV Children can learn a great deal through play. Preschoolers, especially, can be greatly influenced this way. When two of my grandsons were preschoolers, we would play birthday party with their stuffed animals. We used their stuffed animals as persons to invite to a birthday party. We talked about how their needs varied. We discussed where the party was to be held … [Read more...]
Haven’t the foggiest idea?
Did you ever put a hot pan under cold water in the sink and suddenly feel like you could shoe a horse? Or maybe press a dress shirt to crispy professional perfection? Or at least make a nice cappuccino? Even before you get to the coffee (or shirt-pressing, or any and all black-smithery), a lot happens in a steam. When I find that one last dirty spoon and the dishwasher is already running, for instance, I open the dishwasher door and…instant facial. It’s especially interesting when I’m … [Read more...]
Pregnancy resource centers are essential
by Tessa Redmond/Kentucky Today EDITOR’S NOTE: Though Tessa Redmond writes from Kentucky, her reflections represent well the significance of Missouri’s pregnancy resource centers, many of which are supported – if not operated – by Missouri Baptist church members. When I started building our baby registry, I was immediately overwhelmed by the price tags on basic items every parent and infant needs. Car seat, crib and mattress, stroller, diapers and wipes, bottles, burp clothes — everything … [Read more...]
May we never become numb
In the last edition of The Pathway, I shared a story about trying to enjoy a “date night” with my beautiful wife, Tara, shortly after an EF4 tornado devastated Mayfield, Ky. (Read it here). As you might recall, the restaurant we chose that evening was about a 25-minute drive from our home, and I explained how disturbed I was for everyone around us to act so normal. Internally, I questioned how they could be unaware of the devastation just a few miles away, or I wondered if they simply … [Read more...]
Pray against, vote against, preach against pro-abortion Amendment 3
UPDATE (Sept. 10): The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on Sept. 10 that Amendment 3, which – if passed – will codify expansive abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution, must be placed on the state ballot, Nov. 5. Read more here. As I write these words, the fate of one of the most radical challenges to our constitutional order in the state of Missouri – namely, the proposed pro-abortion Amendment 3 – is being weighed in the state court system. Why do I call this legislation radical? I … [Read more...]
New school year, same mission
by Shane Pruitt For many students and ministries, the start of a new school year feels the same as New Year’s resolutions for many adults. Most students see returning to school as offering more new opportunities and better chances to start over compared to the beginning of a new calendar year. As leaders, we tend to feel the pressure of overthinking what we will do differently in our ministries each school year. We want to be innovative, creative, and think outside the box or even crash … [Read more...]
Unpacking worries with the God of peace
Sometimes I worry about me. The other day I accidentally stepped on my computer bag and then apologized to it because I thought it was my dog. Then I laughed and explained to it, “Oh, I thought you were the dog.” I explained to it. My bag and I had a moment, ya’ll. I should worry a little, right? Worry tends to sneak up on me now and then anyway. I’m amused at how sincere I am when I smile and toss out a casual “Either way, no worries” to a friend. I truly don’t want that friend to … [Read more...]
Texting: the tool churches are underutilizing
by Braden Cross BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Historically, email has been the go-to tool for church communication. But if you’re on staff at a church, you’ve likely started to realize communicating through email isn’t working as well as it used to. Church announcements get overlooked, volunteer requests go unseen, and visitor follow-up often slips through the cracks. Open rates have dropped drastically the past few years and now sit at roughly 25%. Twenty. Five. Percent. That means, on average, … [Read more...]
How can we act so normal?
Shortly after a violent EF4 tornado hit my hometown of Mayfield, Ky., in December of 2021, my wife convinced me to take an evening off and enjoy a “date night.” I realize it sounds awkward to say she had to convince me, but we were living in a rather unique context. Due to the tornado, our staff had been serving the community virtually non-stop for weeks. We helped families with food, water, clothes, shelter, transportation, home repair, and many other necessities. Basically, regardless … [Read more...]