By Brandon Elrod ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Christians have focused energy on passing down “the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all” for centuries. Each time one generation passes on the baton to the next, new challenges surface. Rapid changes in technology and cultural shifts, however, have seemingly made the task more daunting. From April 19-20, the North … Read More
Baptism Sunday
One of the great joys of summer is to see our churches celebrating baptism in the lakes and rivers of Montana. While the sun is hot, we seek to take advantage of the narrow window of opportunity for this format, even though the water is still very much cold. As those who have responded to the Gospel with repentance and faith identify … Read More
This Is the Time to Plan for 2021 Residencies
We just wrapped up an unusual and challenging summer, and now is the time to begin to prayerfully look at next year’s possibilities and opportunities. If the Lord tarries, we should all be found investing and developing missional disciples. It won’t happen by accident. It takes the intentionality of leaders to make it happen. We have a tremendous resource of … Read More
Shane Pruitt: Don’t Forget About Your One!
So much has changed around us since this year began. And with so many different shifts and transitions, it could be easy to get into our own silos and forget about our greater calling as Christians to give Jesus and the gospel to those who are lost. National Next Get Evangelism Director, Shane Pruitt provides a timely and encouraging reminder … Read More
‘Who’s Your One?’ emphasis officially launched
ALPHARETTA, Ga.(BP) — The North American Mission Board (NAMB) officially launched the “Who’s Your One?” evangelism initiative today (Feb. 26) as part of an effort to encourage Southern Baptists to engage people with gospel conversations throughout the year. This evangelism emphasis asks believers to pray for and focus on one individual in the hope that that person may come to … Read More
Beating evangelism paralysis
There’s something about pastoring a church that causes us to stay in perpetual research mode. Maybe it’s our seminary training. Maybe it’s the stats and facts we live in daily. Who knows? What I have noticed is that many pastors suffer from “analysis paralysis.” What’s that? Wikipedia gives a great definition: Analysis paralysis is the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) … Read More
Learning from the learners
By Rick Duncan I had an “aha” moment as I stood in a prayer circle in May 2018 at Severn Run Church in Baltimore with Phil Gifford, Josh Bradley, and J.D. Mangrum. Phil and Josh were helping lead; J.D was going to be trained. He had arrived two hours early, while we were setting up. Since “training begins when the … Read More
Crossover Dallas, Harvest America proclaim hope of gospel
DALLAS—“I’m not here to talk to you about religion,” said pastor Greg Laurie. “I’m here to talk to you about a relationship with God that you can experience. Christ can fill that big hole that is in your heart right now. We all need Him. We all need a Savior. There’s so much stuff to distract us and emptiness to … Read More