Youth camp, ministry training ‘Converge’ at Ridgecrest
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--Churches that simply entertain young people instead of engaging them in ministry and service are losing a generation, said Joel Carter, student ministry specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Keys to discipleship, leadership underscored for today’s church
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--God is “calling us to a marathon –– a long-distance run” in discipleship and leadership, Daniel Akin said during Discipleship/Leadership Week at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center.
Intentional discipleship: a process not a program
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--James Cox didn’t find the answers he expected at Discipleship/Leadership Week. What he found instead was a new way of looking at the question.
Recover from ‘addiction to the status quo,’ Welch urges
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch is known for being willing to do just about anything to fire up the lukewarm faithful to kindle revival -– but nobody was expecting him to suggest a 12-step recovery program.
Conference points writers toward publishing successes
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--Ray Blackston headed home from his first Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference in 2000 feeling fairly confident -- but not about his writing.
Storybook setting unravels mystery of writing careers
RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--Springtime in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains is a setting beautiful enough to inspire the Great American Novel. Add the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference, and the publishing possibilities are as bountiful as the view.
Black pastors, laymen challenged to ‘be the man’
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| ‘Be the Man’ in song Terry Culp of Greenforest Community Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga., adds his musical talent to the “Be the Man” conference April 8-9 at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. Photo by Denise McGill |
Through passionate preaching and inspirational gospel music, they celebrated their brotherhood both in Christ and in a common cultural heritage.
Jesus Christ is the model every African American male needs to follow, conference leaders said often during the April 8-9 conference, set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
"Turn to the brother next to you and tell him, ‘Be the man!’" Tyrone Barnette, pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., said.
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| ‘Be the Man’ in prayer A participant of the Be the Man conference spends time in reflection and prayer. Photo by Denise McGill |
"Say it like a real man," Barnette intoned, his fiery discourse revving up the crowd. "Be the man!" he shouted to a resounding chorus of response.
Leaders talked about the strength it takes to show submission before God, moving beyond a dark and humiliating history of slavery and racism as well as resisting the mindless pursuit of material gain, promiscuity, drugs and alcohol.
EKG turns growing pains into vision for Kingdom growth
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| EKG at work A congregation-wide study utilizing "A 40-Day Experience: Empowering Kingdom Growth: The Heartbeat of God" was “a godsend for us,” said Bill Henard, pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky. |
Henard, pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., was not suggesting everyone submit to a typical medical electrocardiogram. Rather, he invited them for a spiritual checkup.
"EKG" in this case stands for "A 40-Day Experience: Empowering Kingdom Growth: The Heartbeat of God."
Glen Schultz: from teacher to Kingdom education advocate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Early in his career, Glen Schultz learned firsthand about the dichotomy of being a Christian teacher in a secular school.
Biblical education expands from Sunday to 7 days a week
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| Kingdom education advocate Educating children, says Glen Schultz, director of LifeWay Christian School Resources, is a sacred responsibility -- “God’s homework assignment to parents.” Photo by Kent Harville |
The resolution also noted that parents are “the principle educators of their children,” and they should have “the freedom and ability to elect the educational process best suited for their family needs.”
Not just in word, but also in deed that same year, the SBC’s LifeWay Christian Resources established LifeWay Christian School Resources to help Christian and homeschool teachers instill a biblical worldview in their students.
