Several years ago, Presbyterian pastor and scholar Peter J. Leithart posed a question that could cause problems for Baptists who have young children or grandchildren: Can Baptists talk to babies? According to Leithart, it is logically inconsistent for Baptists to speak to their infants while also denying the validity of infant baptism (aka, paedobaptism). His argument is worth a brief summary and response. Summary “Protestants have always insisted that the sacraments bring no benefit … [Read more...]
‘Mission:Dignity’ blesses hundreds each month
DALLAS – Twenty-five dollars each month. That’s what Bobby Walker received when he went to his first pastorate. “He never made a decision for a pastorate on salary,” Tommie Walker said of her late husband. “He said ‘if God guides, He will provide.’” The Walkers’ testimony is not uncommon. A deep love for each other, and a commitment to the calling God has bestowed on them, characterized their marriage. “We never did have much of a salary, but God blessed us in so many ways; we had each … [Read more...]
Cowboy church leads people – and horses – forward
LINDA REDEFFER/Banner Press PATTON – Whether you’re horse or human, life can be a struggle. And horse or human, it takes a lot of trust to stay on the right path. Pat Patterson, a circuit-riding preacher, attempted to make the connection between trust and salvation to an 8-year-old wild mustang named Corazon, and to those humans who came to the Lamplighter Cowboy Church near Patton April 5-6, to see Patterson work with the horse and to connect with their Savior the way the horse began to … [Read more...]
How Islam makes and defines peace
In the wake of 9/11 and subsequent acts of terror in the name of Allah, many Muslim leaders labor to buff the tarnished image of the religion Mohammad founded nearly 1,400 years ago. Their key message: Islam is a religion of peace. No doubt many of the world’s Muslims prefer peace to the sword, decrying the acts of Islamist terrorists as perversions of true Islam. And to be fair, Islam is a religion of peace, as long as peace is defined in Muslim terms. A case in point: … [Read more...]
Fixing the SBC
Considering the complex issues swirling around the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), I’m not sure anyone has a definitive word on how to fix what ails us, especially as we rub against a culture increasingly more hostile to the gospel. There is no silver bullet to fix all that plagues our great convention of churches. Truth is, we are broken people, raised by broken parents, living in a broken world, and our only hope is the transformational power of the Lord Jesus to fix our brokenness. … [Read more...]
Pre-K baptisms on the rise
John Mark Yeats, Contributing Writer Kansas City – The week of May 17 the North American Mission Board (NAMB) released the results from its baptism task force. A key study, the desire was to find out why Baptism rates in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) are plateaued and declining. Over the last few years, accusations and suspicions have flown from different sections of the convention. Some laid the blame at the feet of Calvinists; others at failing discipleship or a lack of … [Read more...]
Springfield exhibit shows history, endurance of Bible
SPRINGFIELD – Missouri Baptists have a unique opportunity to see nearly 450 rare biblical and historical artifacts here at “Passages: Treasures of the Bible,” an eight-month exhibition of items from the Oklahoma-based Green Collection. This 30,000-square-foot, interactive exhibit opened in Springfield on April 12 and will remain until Jan. 3, 2015. Cary Summers, a member of Southwest Baptist University’s board of trustees, serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Museum of the Bible, a … [Read more...]
The gospel on the fast track
WHEATLAND – Baptists in the west-central region of Missouri want to steer people to the love of Christ. For this reason, they’ve joined hands in ministry, sharing the gospel and distributing Bibles and other “Find It Here” items at the Lucas Oil Speedway here, April 26. The Fellowship Baptist Association, Miller Baptist Association, Mid-Lakes Baptist Association and area churches cooperated with one another and with the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) to fund this ministry event. … [Read more...]
‘My dad’s the greatest’
Every child wants to be able to boast about his/her dad! Little boys may be heard to say, “My dad can beat up your dad!” The truth is that in our era of time, many dads are absent or confused about the roles they should play. Recently a dad was shown on TV taking his son to a marijuana festival in Colorado. He said he thought it was good for his son to see!?? What makes a great dad? The Bible tells us that the father should be the spiritual head of the home. Research tells us that dads, … [Read more...]
Millennials and evangelism – discipleship using Storying
When I led a Sunday School class for our church’s college students, I was astounded one Sunday when one long-time Christian and faithful attender blurted out, “Just tell us what to believe.” My Baby Boomer generation grew up doubting the Establishment with its political corruption, humiliated tele-evangelists, rampant inflation and unethical business practices. The Baby Boomer mantra was lifted straight from Karl Marx, “Question everything.” This was unique to me. I belonged to a youth … [Read more...]
Nigerian Christians hopeful amid persecution
William Bagsby/Baptist Press NIGERIA (BP) – The Nigerian church leader was secretly housing new followers of Jesus, former Muslims. When the time came for his second child to be born, he left his house to carry his wife to a clinic. “While he was away with her, his home was attacked and the group scattered throughout the area,” said Aaron Bryson,* an International Mission Board (IMB) worker in Nigeria, recalling the situation in 2010. One man was killed at the scene and the group … [Read more...]
Divine interruptions
MBC Executive Director John Yeats was part of a six-person team of Missouri Baptist volunteers on Gibitngil last month. He reflects on God’s sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty: “Divine interruptions are the handiwork of God and we have to learn to listen. For example, just prior to this trip, we learned that my wife Sharon will most likely have a surgical procedure when we return. The outcome will be huge and it could have derailed our participation on this mission. “Then we learned … [Read more...]
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