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SBC DIGEST: Messenger info on ‘Road to New Orleans’; Lifeway kids’ Bible named ‘Bible of the Year’

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Finn hopes to ‘empower messengers’ at SBC in New Orleans

By BP Staff

NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention Recording Secretary Nathan Finn will fulfill his role for the first time at an annual meeting next month when the SBC gathers in New Orleans June 13-14.

Finn was the guest on this week’s episode [2] of “Road to New Orleans,” a video series to inform messengers leading up to the meeting.

“The role of the messenger is to do the work of the Southern Baptist Convention,” Finn told host Jonathan Howe, vice president of communications at the SBC Executive Committee.

Finn and Howe discussed various ways messengers can be prepared to best perform their job. One of those ways is a messenger orientation June 12.

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“I wish I would’ve known 16 or 17 years ago when I went to my first Southern Baptist Convention that there was such a thing as a messenger’s orientation,” Finn said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

The orientation will answer questions such as “What sort of business does the SBC do?” “What’s the difference between a motion and a resolution?” and many others.

Another resource that messengers may not be aware of is the messengers’ parliamentarian. This person, who will be available at the front of the meeting room, is tasked with answering questions from messengers and polity and procedures as well as making sure their motions, amendments and other submissions are accurate and in order.

“Our goal is to empower messengers to do what their churches have sent them to do,” Finn said.

Both Finn and Howe, whose job it is to accurately display messengers’ submissions on giant screens in the room, urged messengers to submit things early and in writing via the SBC Annual Meeting app or the email address [email protected] [4].

“It’s always easier whenever we have word for word what someone is going to say in written form, rather than simply listening and trying to make sure that we get it correct,” Finn said.

“Write out what you’re going to say in advance. Stick to that script. Make sure you’re communicating as clearly as you possibly can.”

The two also had tips for messengers going to a microphone during the meeting, including being prepared for the inevitable echo, checking to make sure your motion will not be ruled out of order, and how to be direct in questions asked of entity presidents.

Other valuable resources for messengers the men discussed included the Book of Reports, which includes statistics and narrative reports from all the entities, and the Daily Bulletin, which has supplemental information, business from the previous day, election results, the text of resolutions and more.

Both the Book of Reports and the Daily Bulletin will be available in the annual meeting app.


‘CSB Explorer Bible for Kids’ Named Bible of the Year

By Aaron Wilson/Lifeway

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – The “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids [5]” by Holman Bibles of Lifeway Christian Resources was named Bible of the Year at the recent Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Christian Book Awards.

This marks the first time in 18 years the ECPA has named a children’s resource Bible of the Year. Only two children’s Bibles have won the award since the ECPA introduced the category in 1988.

“We are honored the ‘CSB Explorer Bible for Kids’ has been recognized and awarded Bible of the Year,” said Andy McLean, publisher for Holman Bibles. “It affirms what we set out to accomplish – creating a compelling way to help kids engage with the history, culture and meaning of the text of Scripture.”

The “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids” features a full-color design with images, illustrations, timelines and interactive study helps. Book introductions help readers understand the central message of the text and discover how the 66 books of the Bible fit together to tell one cohesive story. Interactive QR codes are embedded throughout the text, connecting readers with online videos, discussion questions and printable activities for home, school or church.

Additional features of the “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids” offer the following benefits:

“One of the most fulfilling aspects of our work at Holman Bibles is the opportunity to help readers meaningfully engage with the written Word of God – especially our youngest readers,” said McLean. “The ‘CSB Explorer Bible for Kids’ is designed to build biblical literacy, offering historical context while connecting stories and characters to the grand narrative of Scripture. This visually compelling Bible fuels kids’ curiosity, empowering them to know, love and live the Word of God throughout their lives.”

The “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids” uses the text of the Christian Standard Bible, which features an optimal blend of accuracy and readability. The CSB has continued to gain traction with readers of all ages. In April 2023, it was the No. 2 bestselling English Bible translation according to ECPA sales data [6].

In addition to winning the ECPA Bible of the Year award for the “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids,” Lifeway received the Spanish Bible of the Year Award [7] in April for “The Thematic Study Bible [8]” (Biblia Temática de Estudio), by the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA). This is the first time Lifeway has won the ECPA Bible of the Year Award and SEPA Spanish Bible of the Year Award in the same year.

More information about the “CSB Explorer Bible for Kids” can be found at Lifeway.com [5].