KANSAS CITY – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Alan Branch has a friend whose brother explained his decision to embrace a homosexual lifestyle by stating, “I have a male body, but I have a female brain. That’s why I’m attracted to men.” Branch, professor of Christian ethics, classifies that pronouncement as a version of the increasingly common argument that homosexual acts are morally legitimate because homosexuality is “hard-wired into who [some people] are from birth.” … [Read more...]
Support, pray for our modern day centurions
If there were ever a time to pray for America’s law enforcement officers, surely it is now. It was heartbreaking to witness the anguish that has engulfed the city of Dallas following the murder of five of the city’s police officers. Ironically, they were murdered by a racist gunman while they were protecting the First Amendment rights of citizens who were protesting against them and law enforcement in general. Americans seem to have lost all sense of proportionality. Yes, there are rogue … [Read more...]
‘Insanity of God’ film shows faith amid despair
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Nik Ripken almost abandoned hope when he first arrived in Somalia 25 years ago. Ripken, then a young International Mission Board (IMB) missionary, had caught a ride with the Red Cross in a small plane carrying relief supplies across the border between Kenya and its war-ravaged neighbor. What he saw shook him to the core. He met parents who asked for burial cloths for the children they'd lost rather than food and water for themselves and saw soldiers passing out narcotics … [Read more...]
MBC church plants in Iowa threatened by civil rights law
DES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa law could threaten Missouri Baptist work in the state through the Heartland Interstate Strategy (HIS), an initiative to multiply churches along the I-29 corridor from Kansas City, through the western edge of Iowa, and up to the Canadian city of Winnipeg. If the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s interpretation of state civil rights laws is upheld, the state could force churches to open restrooms to people of the opposite sex and prohibit preachers from proclaiming … [Read more...]
‘Check your faith at the church door’
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a set of anti-terrorism laws, July 7, that included severe restrictions on evangelism. These measures, set to go into effect, July 20, will compel Russian believers to check their faith at the church door. According to the new law, people cannot evangelize beyond the four walls of registered churches. Evangelism in public areas, in homes, and online are prohibited. Foreigners who violate the law could be deported, and Russian citizens … [Read more...]
Biblical truths about the afterlife
This is the first in a series of articles about the afterlife and the unseen realm. Three-year-old Colton Burpo had a near-death experience (NDE) while on the operating table. When it was over, he described his “three minutes in heaven” in vivid detail, including encounters with Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus, who had sea-blue eyes and owned a rainbow-colored horse. Colton’s father, a Wesleyan pastor, believes the lad’s experience was real because he shared it with “the simple … [Read more...]
Got a doubt? Get a clue
Sure, I remember playing the “We’ve-Got-Five-Kids” version of the game “Clue.” Who did it? Never just a whole lot of doubt there: It was the toddler. In the family room. With a permanent marker. We held our things and furniture and carpets and walls all pretty loosely in the days of raising kids, though it was still tough not to get just a little bent out of shape when yet another lamp would bite the dust. It still amazes me that no one knew who broke it or how it happened. Except that I … [Read more...]
Super! Youth profess faith, follow ministry call during camp
During two weeks of Super Summer this June, dozens of students professed faith in Christ or followed a call to ministry. Super Summer is intentional about youth growing in Christ and leaders being developed. “The camp is for students middle school to high school from churches all around the state,” said Jason Walters, MBC staffer and co-camp director. The theme this year is “Abide,” based on John 15:5. “We teach the students how to abide in Christ. We make a point to tell them salvation … [Read more...]
Where are the Shotguns?
How vividly I remember the saying that was going around my hometown of Verona, Mo, when I was growing up. “You better not date one of those Haddock girls! Old man Haddock has a shotgun!” My four sisters and I hated that. We knew that many guys would not go through the grueling experience of coming inside and being questioned by my dad with his booming voice. Only the strong of heart dared. When they walked out the door with one of Ernest Haddock’s daughters, there was no doubt in … [Read more...]
Take the initiative to invite someone
One of the things Missouri Baptists do well is invest cooperative resources in their smaller-church pastors through an event tailored just for them. Once again this month, mb125 exceeded the cap on the number of participants of this special retreat designed to equip and encourage. Two of the key speakers were Chuck and Rhonda Kelley of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Kelley is a legend in regards to evangelism and discipleship. Part of his message included remarks that he … [Read more...]
Has the Next Great Spiritual Awakening Begun in Burlington, NC?
Column by OneCry's Malachi O'Brien, pastor of The Church at Pleasant Ridge in Kansas City-area Harrisonville and associate pastor of prayer and church revitalization at nearby First Baptist Church in Raytown, Mo. He previously served as president of the Missouri Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. The fame of revival spreads the flame of revival! The flames of revival have ignited in Burlington, NC, in a way that can only be explained by the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. What … [Read more...]
Pastors seek biblical politics
ST. LOUIS (BP) – Proclaiming Scripture instead of promoting controversy is their approach when addressing political issues, pastors said during a June 15 panel discussion at the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention. Five Southern Baptist pastors explained to Ronnie Floyd, now former SBC president, during the afternoon session how they handle political issues in their churches. The panel discussion – titled “Pastors and the Church in American Politics Today” and moderated by Floyd – came during … [Read more...]
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