PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Not many people can spend Spring Break in one of the party hotspots of the world and never wiggle toes in the sand or wade out into the surf, but Denise Banderman did just that. She spent two full weeks as part of LifeWay’s volunteer event staff for Beach Reach, a ministry aimed at partying college students that descend on the beach each year. Banderman, a member of Stonebridge Community Church in Jefferson City, has been working with Beach Reach since 2003. This … [Read more...]
Marriage, Supreme Court deserves fervent prayer
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Supreme Court will soon decide whether states can legally choose to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It is a watershed moment in our nation’s history. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has filed briefs with the court; argued in public and in private about why marriage, defined as the union of one man and one woman, matters as a social good; and more than there is space to list here. But beyond all this we as Christians and churches … [Read more...]
1995 bombing made them grapple with forgiveness
OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – Although Oklahoma City police chaplains Jack and Phyllis Poe weren’t inside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building when a truck bomb exploded at 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, the aftereffects of the tragedy pushed them to grapple with forgiveness. “One of the things we really didn’t understand is, as caregivers, we want to make a difference, but we didn’t realize that you can give yourselves away. And, Phyllis and I gave ourselves away,” Poe said, reminiscing about the … [Read more...]
The Lesters hit milestone in music ministry
ST. LOUIS – One might think after 90 years it would be time to stop. But for the Lester Family of St. Louis, stopping isn’t an option. This is the 90th year the family has performed Christian concerts and recorded gospel albums. The Lesters may be the longest continuous running music group of any genre, anywhere in the world—although this has not yet been confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records—according to Brian Lester, 62, a third generation performer and the group’s manager. “I … [Read more...]
Five things all churches should have in their bylaws
Editor's note: The article and download that follows is made available through Alliance Defending Freedom. "In the wake of battles in several states over the issue of same-sex “marriage” and the adoption by states and local governments of special rights for those engaging in homosexual behavior, many churches are unsure of their legal rights. Churches have broad constitutional protections designed to ensure the free exercise of religion and to prevent intrusion by the state into matters … [Read more...]
Gay marriage gap widens for evangelicals, culture
NASHVILLE (BP) – Americans who have gay or lesbian friends are twice as likely to say gay marriage should be legal as those who have none. And more than half of Americans, meanwhile, say homosexuality is not sinful. Such survey results place evangelicals increasingly in a minority position in American culture over same-sex relationships. Same-sex marriage Nashville-based Lifeway Research, in a phone survey of 2,000 Americans on gay marriage, reported that friendship and faith play an … [Read more...]
Preparing in advance of Supreme Court ruling
Marriage is not in the U.S. Constitution and therefore, according to that document, it is left to the states to define marriage. If the U.S. Supreme Court affirms what some renegade federal judges have done by redefining marriage, it will have legislated from the bench and prevented the democratic process – by the people – from settling the issue. It will shake the very foundation of our Constitution, bring into question the credibility of the federal judiciary and change our country in a … [Read more...]
SBC pastors join in healing efforts in Baltimore
By Mike Ebert BALTIMORE – Joel Kurz watched in disbelief Monday night as the Baltimore neighborhood where he has pastored since 2008 erupted in violence and flames. “The CVS Pharmacy that was looted and set on fire is the place where our sick and elderly people go for their medicines,” Kurz said. “As you walk up and down the street, every strip of stores has broken glass. Many of them have been looted and damaged.” Kurz pastors The Garden Church, a congregation he started shortly … [Read more...]
Hobby Lobby’s court victory celebrated
HANNIBAL – For the second year in a row, figures from Hobby Lobby’s Supreme Court battle for religious freedom headlined the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Worldview Conference. Unlike last year, they were not merely waiting on a verdict. This time around they were rejoicing in favor before the court and God’s grace. Mike McAfee, director of faith initiatives for Hobby Lobby and the son-in-law of the company’s president, Steve Green, opened in a way that may surprise critics of the Supreme … [Read more...]
Springfield voters overturn ’gay rights’ ordinance
SPRINGFIELD – In a tight race that showed the value of a vote, Springfield citizens April 7 narrowly repealed a sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) ordinance enacted by the city council last fall that critics said endangered privacy and religious liberty and was unnecessary. The “Yes” votes to repeal totaled 15,347 compared to 14,493 “No” votes, or 51.4 percent to 48.6 percent. Out of more than 29,000 votes, 854 made the difference in returning the city code on the issue to the … [Read more...]
LGBT discrimination law lurking in General Assembly
President Obama recently ordered the opening of the White House’s first gender-neutral restroom in what is seen as a symbolic step by the president to extend rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the workplace. No surprise there – and get ready. More is on the way as emboldened – and often intolerant – LGBT advocates seek legal avenues to force acceptance of their lifestyle on American society. They go the legal route to get what they cannot get at the … [Read more...]
Churches urged to call solemn assemblies on courthouse steps
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist pastors and church leaders are being called to conduct a solemn assembly on their county’s courthouse steps on May 7. It is timed with the National Day of Prayer, conducted the first Thursday of May each year. The call has been issued by Mark Snowden who serves Missouri Baptist as strategist for Prayer for Revival and Spiritual Awakening. “Followers of Jesus have a tremendous opportunity to pray anytime, but particularly on this special day for spiritual … [Read more...]
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