Last month, my church hosted an event called “Together for the Nations” put on by the International Mission Board (IMB). The purpose of this event was to introduce churches to the work of the IMB and encourage them to consider ways to join these mission efforts around the world. Several topics were addressed at this event, but the one from which I gleaned the most was about mobilizing God’s people for mission work.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
I want church leaders to think about times when church really is fun – and to long for that to happen in their own congregations.
iStock
I’m not what you would consider a man of the outdoors, but I did my fair share of fishing during my teen years.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
The 20th century political anarchist Edward Abbey loved the desert and once observed, “What draws us into the desert is the search for something intimate in the remote.” Abbey was not the only person who discovered intimacy in the solitude of the desert. The same could be said for some of the most influential people of prayer mentioned in Scripture. God originally created man in a garden, but He frequently recreates them in a desert.
Although only 10% of churches have more than 250 people and 70% have 100 or fewer, I won’t quibble on the reality that “typical” or “normative” is a better descriptor than “small” for churches that run fewer than 250 in attendance. The vast majority of churches are small in attendance. But there seem to be a few myths about the pastors who lead them.
FARMERSVILLE, Texas (BP) – This weekend, flights filled with pastors and their families from all over the country will land in California. They'll grab rental cars or book Ubers to make their way to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference for two days of encouragement and edification. As they do, I thought it would be helpful to look back at the history of our legendary conference, give a taste of what to expect Sunday and Monday, and look ahead at our future.
FAIRVIEW, Texas (BP) – Many years ago, someone asked Charles Spurgeon why he was so successful. His response? “Because my people pray for me.”
FAIRVIEW, Texas (BP) – Here are four things to watch leading up to the 2022 SBC Pastors’ Conference.
“Desde 2018, la Convención Bautista del Sur ha perdido una serie de líderes de alto perfil cuyos mandatos terminaron debido a controversias o mala conducta”, comenzó el artículo reciente de RNS, “¿Puede alguien llevar adelante la Convención Bautista del Sur?” por Bob Smietana. Pero tal vez el autor esté buscando líderes en los lugares equivocados.
“Since 2018, the Southern Baptist Convention has lost a series of high-profile leaders whose tenures ended due to controversy or misconduct,” began the recent RNS article, “Can anyone lead the Southern Baptist Convention forward?” by Bob Smietana. But maybe the author is looking for leaders in all the wrong places.
Before sending on an online message, pastor and author Matt Henslee asks himself: Is this true or false? Does it build up or tear down? Does it amplify or diminish Christ's Gospel?
