Calm in the Chaos — A weekly call
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- We're being inundated with COVID-19 updates daily. As numbers of confirmed cases and the loss of life continue to grow, hard-working people are losing their jobs, and churches are navigating new ways to minister to their members and reach their communities with the Gospel. There seems to be one word that describes it all -- chaos.
FIRST PERSON: Six common traits of Gen Z
Gen Z-ers or millennials will tell you what adults need to know about their generations, according to Shane Pruitt.
FIRST-PERSON: Your forever family
While it's easy to find criticisms of the church, Shane Pruitt sets forth key reasons why the church is a vital part of God's purpose and empowering for His followers.
FIRST-PERSON: Experiencing the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is vital, Shane Pruitt writes, for experiencing "the freedom and victory that only comes from the Spirit of our great God."
FIRST-PERSON: Are you OK with Jesus but not the Bible?
Shane Pruitt cautions against creating "a Play-Doh Jesus" to "shape and mold" to one's imagination. "If you truly love the Jesus of the Bible," Pruitt writes, "you will also love the Bible that tells us all about Him."
FIRST-PERSON: Responding to criticism
Criticism can be faced in a healthy way, Shane Pruitt writes, noting that it doesn't have to make Christians to "lay down in defeat, doubt or discouragement."
FIRST-PERSON: Death & angels
No one becomes an angel in heaven, Shane Pruitt writes, noting that angels never get to experience the glory of God's grace, hope and forgiveness. "God does not gain another angel," Pruitt writes. "Rather, God calls another worshipper to come home."
FIRST-PERSON: Mission trip miscues
Do short-term mission trips truly advance the Kingdom of God? Are missions teams more of a help or a hindrance to the missionary? Are we really being good stewards of our resources? Shane Pruitt, director of missions for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, sets forth his counsel.
FIRST-PERSON: Reaching students — in their own words
Who better to ask for ideas on reaching young people than young people themselves? So, Shane Pruitt asked, "What do adults need to know about your generation?" at student camps, young adult worship services and other gatherings during the past year.
FIRST-PERSON: Pray for your child’s teacher
Enhance your children's school year by praying for their teachers, Shane Pruitt writes. "If we take the time to intentionally pray for our teachers, we'll have an impact on how efficiently the school year will go for our children, the teacher and the entire atmosphere of the classroom," Pruitt, director of missions for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, notes.
