Editor’s note: Nik Ripken (a pseudonym for security reasons) is a veteran IMB missionary and author who conducted 600 interviews in 72 countries where believers live amid persecution and suffering. Mark Snowden, MBC evangelism/discipleship strategist, interviewed him by phone for The Pathway on July 7. Q: How should Christians respond to an increasingly hostile culture where moral decline and even legislation is perceived as increasingly anti-biblical? Nik: The Bible says we reap what we … [Read more...]
After five years, is there a Great Commission Resurgence?
When the gavel dropped to end the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio, it also marked the fifth anniversary of “a vision for a Great Commission Resurgence” that was adopted by messengers during the 2010 business sessions in Orlando, Fla. In a nutshell, a blue ribbon task force – named by then SBC President Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga., and led by Ronnie Floyd, pastor of Cross Church, Northwest Ark., who now serves as president of … [Read more...]
Nik Ripken: Lessons from the persecuted world for America
JEFFERSON CITY – The Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex “marriage” is seen by many as possibly triggering persecution for followers of Jesus in America. Nik Ripken is an authority on persecuted believers. “The Bible says we reap what we sow,” Ripken said. “We also cannot reap what we don’t sow. The church in America is reaping what they haven’t sown in America. …We haven’t been persecuted. How can we be so self-centered and we haven’t even lost anything yet? We need to stop … [Read more...]
Bikers find lostness on I-29
FARGO, N.D. – Philip Dooley’s tires on his KTM 990 Adventure crunched over dirt roads, then glided softly through the grass as he stopped in front of the old, abandoned church house. Nestled in the hills of South Dakota’s Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, the house of worship had long been shuttered. “It’s the perfect illustration of why planting new churches is so important here,” said Dooley, the interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Gower, Mo., and part of the Missouri Baptist Biker … [Read more...]
Redeeming your building to reach community
Legacy church planting isn’t limited to churches at the very end of their lives. Many churches find themselves with buildings far larger than they need even as they struggle to impact their immediate community in a meaningful way. They love Jesus and the Gospel. They love lost people, but they can’t seem to crack the missional code of the people who live around them. They aren’t ready emotionally to turn over their ministry to another entity. But they live daily with the reality of a … [Read more...]
Impactful evangelism ideas – Part 2 of 3
What works best to share the gospel message among those where you live? Here are several ideas that church leaders across Missouri have considered or are doing. 1. Recruit and train Christian music groups to conduct a musical festival at a special event. Raise money for backpacks to help poor children to be ready for school. 2. Ask an elementary school principal for the name and contact information of a newly immigrated child. Have families in the church adopt the child and their … [Read more...]
Pastor raises Christian flag over ‘Old Glory’
SHELBY, N.C. (BP) – North Carolina pastor Rit Varriale wants to see churches fly the Christian flag above the American flag as a biblical statement, reversing flag etiquette that calls for the American flag to be flown in the prominent position. Varriale, as senior pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., said the church installed its first-ever flagpole in order to raise the two flags in a special ceremony after morning worship on Sunday (July 5) in which the Christian flag was … [Read more...]
Impactful evangelism ideas – Part 1 of 3
One of the most helpful exercises when training missionaries is to spend some time listing evangelism ideas that offer the greatest potential for impacting people with the gospel. This is a challenging exercise for many. Here are several ideas that churches have been encouraged to attempt – and many are – throughout Missouri. Maybe this will spark some new outreach methods for you and your church. 1. Conduct a survey simply asking if those in that home would be willing to conduct a Bible … [Read more...]
Apologetics Network’s Loos helps women defend faith
JEFFERSON CITY –The MBC has launched the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network, a group of church leaders committed to the defense of the Christian faith and called to equip believers to more effectively share their faith. Julie Loos, a member of First Baptist Church, Ellisville, and director of Ratio Christi Boosters, acknowledges she’s not a typical apologist. Not a preacher or seminary graduate; she’s just an ordinary woman who started studying at “point zero” and has become an advocate … [Read more...]
How Much Brain Should I Use?
What? It’s a myth? I’m sad to hear that. Because I sort of liked the idea that we humans only use 10% of our brains. I thought I could volunteer to be a case study for the research even. Because I think most of the time I use much less than that. On the other hand, it was a bit frustrating to think about 90% of brain function remaining virtually untapped. What a waste. All those brain cells. Just sitting there with nothing to do. I still get a little nervous about learning new things. … [Read more...]
What every Christian should know about same-sex attraction
Next month the MBC releases What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction, a new resource that offers a Biblical perspective on homosexuality and how Christians can express Christ-like love for our LGBT friends. A series of columns beginning today features excerpts from the book, available in print and Kindle formats. Last month Ireland became the first country to legalize gay marriage by popular vote after a referendum found that 62 percent of voters favor … [Read more...]
ERLC resources ready on gay marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has resources available online to help Christians minister in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage. In addition, the ERLC is helping sponsor a July 29 conference to equip pastors and churches to navigate the legal and cultural landscape after the high court's ruling Friday (June 26). Equip -- at erlc.com/equip -- is a joint initiative with the Southern Baptists of Texas … [Read more...]
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