By Melita Thomas, posted June 27, 2024 in Baptist Press. The days and weeks immediately following VBS are the most crucial for outreach. But so often this critical element seems to fall through the cracks. We all have good intentions for connecting with children and families again after VBS, but then the aftermath of VBS kicks in. The excitement of VBS is over; … Read More
Southern Baptist baptisms and attendance grow, membership decline slows
By Aaron Earls, posted May 7, 2024 in Cooperating for the Gospel, Cooperative Program, SBC News BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – Baptisms, worship service attendance and small group participation all grew in 2023 among congregations affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, while the recent decline in total membership among congregations slowed. The Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by Lifeway Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions details the … Read More
New overtime rules for salaried employees may impact churches
JUNE 17, 2024 BY MICHAEL WHITEHEAD Originally published by the Missouri Baptist Convention in the June 25, 2024 edition of The Pathway. WASHINGTON – The US Department of Labor has adopted a new rule effective July 1, 2024, that increases the salary thresholds required to exempt a salaried executive, administrative or professional employee from federal overtime pay requirements. Pastors and some ministers may … Read More
More Help to Reach Your Community with the Gospel
It’s exciting to see the different activities some of our MTSBC churches are using to reach their communities. They’re offering youth camps, sports camps, VBS, Backyard Bible Clubs, game night dinners, and many other unique outreach events to connect with people and share the gospel. The Lord never intended for His people to be silent about the gospel. His command … Read More
The Revitalization/Replant Window
The following article is from The Resound Network, a ministry of the Missouri Baptist Convention. It provides some important information on revitalization and replanting. To print a PDF of this article, click here. Seasons of growth, plateau and decline are present in almost every church at some point in its history. For some churches a season of decline could lead … Read More
The Bait Bucket
The weather is warming up, so I’m thinking about wetting a hook! A fresh filling of the bait bucket with live bait always seems to have the promise of a hopeful day of fishing. The bucket of new and fresh bait signifies a day of high expectations of what might bite the bait, new stories to be told of the … Read More
IMB Missions College creates connections for cross-cultural ministry
IMB Missions College creates connections for cross-cultural ministry By Sue Sprenkle Representatives from 21 states came together for an intensive training on cross-cultural missions taught by International Mission Board missionaries on April 2-5. The annual Missions College hosted near Richmond, Virginia, brought IMB missionaries from all over the world together with pastors, church members and missions leaders. The goal of the … Read More
7 Ways to Practice Humility in Your Leadership
By Mark Hallock I therefore a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility …. (Eph. 4:1-2) The Lord loves humility in His people. In fact, humility is the foundation not only of all faithful Christian living, but all faithful Christian leadership. The problem is … Read More
Explore Church Travels to Brazil – Day 13
Explore Church in Missoula recently went on a mission trip to Brazil. Follow them on their journey as we post journal entries written by a member of their team. You can find previous entries at www.mtsbc.org. Day 13 You have to wake up early in the Amazon to sneak up on a peacock bass. Earlier than we woke up apparently. Our … Read More
Explore Church Travels to Brazil – Day 12, Part 2
Explore Church in Missoula recently went on a mission trip to Brazil. Follow them on their journey as we post journal entries written by a member of their team. You can find previous entries at www.mtsbc.org. Day 12, Part 2 Clapping is knocking, knocking is clapping, in a world with no doors. It was a surprising revelation but a sensible one, … Read More