Q. Every now and then I see a leader of some Christian organization urge people to fast as well as pray for our country and/or other issues. I know fasting…
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On May 20, 2022, the Southern Baptist Convention released the report of an independent investigation by Guidepost Solutions. Guidepost investigated allegations of sexual abuse within the SBC by pastors, lay leaders, denomination officials, and the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of these allegations.
Let the love of Christ be fresh in your heart and mind. Allow Christ’s great redemptive work at Calvary to constrain you. Move to worship in heartful, affective adoration. Live for Him, Who loved you and gave Himself for you.
Sometimes leaders are so busy painting a beautiful picture of a better future that they can’t see the potholes right in front of them! Good leadership includes seeing those and taking preventive action.
Is self-care a legitimate pursuit for a Christian in ministry? If we’re not talking about self-indulgence, but stewardship, then yes.
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord Jesus! Today I sit in the GARBC national representative’s office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Just outside that office are lithographs of Robert Ketcham, H. O. Van Gilder, Joe Stowell, and others. And I wonder, What am I doing here?
The church is not the kingdom, but we do have an important job to do in preparing for the kingdom’s arrival. We have been tasked with recruiting a kingdom constituency and preparing Christ’s mediatorial queen.
Nothing could be more anti-scientific than denying the fact that humans are a sexually dimorphic and sexually reproducing species. Yet, the common mantra of many today would deny this reality.
You may be either an atheist, an agnostic, a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Wiccan, a Buddhist, a Hindu, or simply an individual who does not identify with any label. But whatever you are, you are a worshipper.
Every new year brings natural occasions of reflection and resolution.
Let’s use another regrettable event in our world as an opportunity to marvel at what Jesus Christ made possible for us, and move in the direction of repentance, faith, and obedience so that our words—whether spoken in private or public—might honor Him.
For twenty years the Afghan people have been told that they now will be free. Schools built. Promises made. However, all of those things have changed over one long weekend.
Worshiping God is what we’re designed to do. Worship points us to the truth of God’s greatness.
When we recognize the power of the tongue, we will desire God’s wisdom for our words.
God loves when we ask questions with the right heart and a spirit of humble submission to him.
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Mike and Clare discuss the church’s disciple-making mandate and the vital need to reproduce Christian leaders in the days ahead.
By Bob Stevenson Last October I hosted a discussion group to help our church process through the upcoming election. We don’t often talk about politics at church, but I do…
The Baptist Bulletin podcast is also available via iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Mike and special guest Knute Larson discuss pastoral mentoring, church ministry, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
The call to ministry is a realization that God is directing you into vocational ministry. This realization is accompanied by your own desire. And it is confirmed by church leaders who observe your character and gifts for ministry.
God uses the “wave” of an overwhelmed heart to lead us to the Rock of Ages, the Rock that is higher than us.
With the revelation of Ravi Zacharias’ secret lifestyle of sexual sins, Christians and even non-Christians publicly wonder what went wrong.
What Jeremiah came to understand is that it’s not the Lord’s gifts but the Lord Himself who constitutes hope.
No one hates grace, do they? Who would ever be offended by a free gift?
In this episode, Mike discusses some of the right and wrong reasons for pastors to consider transitioning to another church or ministry.
The message of Revelation needs to be shared, and as a pastor, you are in the prime position to teach it to your congregation.
In order to have a Biblically clear mind, we need a Biblically developed worldview filter that can sort out the good from the bad, the Biblical from the secular.
Indulging your children when they throw a temper tantrum is unhelpful and counter-productive.
If you are fearful entering this school year, then turn to God’s Word for hope. Within the pages of the Bible, there are precious promises for scared, weak, and needy people to grab hold of.
Let’s put our hearts and minds into what the Lord has for us. Let’s do it wholeheartedly for the Lord.
Churches need to realize that although the role of a pastor’s wife can be rewarding and special, it can also be lonely.
As school starts this year, create a new tradition at supper for each person in your family to think about someone at their school or workplace they can pray for, then pray for them as a family during supper time.
Mike and David discuss Mike’s new book, No Contest: Overcoming a Competitive Spirit.
By Bob Cowman I tend to see opportunity at the strangest times and in the weirdest ways. If you read the news or follow the commentators, you might think that…
In this 2018 video, listen to Aaron Lavender, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri, speak on “The Incompatibility of Christianity and Racism.”
Mike and Bob discuss the many issues surrounding the difficult decision to leave a church.
Mike interviews Steve DeWitt on the subject of Christ’s supremacy and beauty.
The question isn’t so much whether or not to utilize social media, but what we are trying to say and why. Our communication is to be seasoned as with salt—that implies that we are putting in some thought beforehand.
What should we be considering, as Christians, when we ponder and discuss the idea of reopening the country?
By Steve Viars Indiana’s governor, Gov. Eric Holcomb, along with his assembled team of medical and business professionals, has the gigantic task of leading our state to slowly restart our…
This is a time of great uncertainty, but it is also a time for reflection on First Things, on Prime Principles. On what is certain. On Truth.
We’re all in over our heads right now. These are hard times. But the hard times are the best times to become who God made us to be.
Just as biblical love is an action (not a feeling) so is biblical forgiveness. Stop looking at your emotions as a barometer and start looking unto Jesus.
Like the early church, we must boldly step into the challenge of caring for the vulnerable and sick. We must point them to the only One Who can deliver us.
Mike and David discuss Christian living and church ministry in an age of Coronavirus lockdown.
Observing the Lord’s Table remotely might not be the best idea.
What does the Coronavirus lock-down mean for our Baptist understanding of church polity?
The “iron sharpening iron” process that Proverbs 27:17 provides is a helpful and maybe even convicting part of a believer’s life.
We have good reason to take the virus seriously. But we also have good reason to trust God, live courageously, and love others.
What are you worried about? Try this three-step approach from Philippians 4:6–7.
God calls us to live actively in confident faith and hope, not fear. Like our Biblical forerunners, He asks us to trust in the fact that He is already present in the places that are new and untested for us.
In this episode, we consider the historical identity of the Magi and offer some reflections on the account of their visit to the Christ-child in Matthew 2.
December can be one of the busiest and most hectic times of the year for church pastors and leaders. With that in mind, Regular Baptist Ministries has provided a checklist that churches can use to make sure that certain tasks, especially those that have IRS deadlines, are completed in time.
This Thanksgiving Day, as we sit down with our family and friends and stare at that turkey with the trimmings, perhaps we should remind ourselves to be better thankers and better givers.
This episode features a panel discussion on pastoral recruitment and the call to ministry.
Mike discusses marriage in ministry with John and Daria Greening.
Self-care in its proper place is good, but that road can be slippery. We are not our own; we are Christ’s.
David and Mike discuss the proposed updated purpose statement and how it better answers the question, “What is our purpose and our mission?”
God is a good Father. He loves to give good gifts. At the cross, the most significant suffering in history collided with the greatest gift anyone could ever offer.
It is God’s business to turn people who are not good into people are who are. Justification declares us to be righteous based on the righteousness of another, so we are “good” in the estimation of God as He sees us in Christ.
By Kevin Carson Some questions that readers ask are harder to answer than others. This is a very hard question. Whenever someone asks this question, I immediately think one of…
Do you find yourself in a cyclical battle with sin? Next time you sin, stop yourself, and walk yourself through James 4:1–4.
Mike and David discuss signs and wonders, spiritual gifts, and Biblical sufficiency.
It is true that people are lost and dying, and that we should be urgent about pursuing the lost, but skipping seminary in order to rush into ministry would be like performing a surgery without any schooling.
Pat Nemmers and Chuck De Cleene discuss the importance of intentional evangelism.
While it is true that believers may struggle with sins, those sins should no longer define the believer: we must cease being what we were and become what we are.
David Gunn and Andy Woods discuss the coming Kingdom and its relationship to the Church.
A Critical Review of Andy Stanley’s “Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World.”
Mike Hess and Mark Vroegop discuss pastoral ministry, worship, and lament.
By Bob Stevenson Tomorrow, we celebrate good Friday. In our church, we gather to read the passion narrative and reflect on the event of the cross. Like any holiday, this…
In the spiritual gift lists in the New Testament, some gifts were miraculously endowed and immediately exercised and some were non-miraculously, naturally inherited and used.
by Dave Cunningham Those of us who stand for the truth of God’s Word and vote with the Bible in our back pocket have been criticized, marginalized, and even victimized….
Unplanned is a film you need to see. It will change your perspective. It is not entertaining, but it does show in compelling fashion both what abortion is and how by God’s grace we can see change in those who administer and advocate its practice in our day.
David and Mike discuss the issues of ecclesiastical separation and secondary separation.
Many Christians know that Jesus said that we should have the faith of a child. But what does Jesus mean by this comparison?
On March 15 the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court decision and found that a housing allowance for church clergy does not violate the Constitution’s establishment clause.
Jon Jenks joins us to discuss the essence and nature of Biblical worship.
The Miracles of Jesus Christ John the Baptist (who did no miracle) was the new voice for God to Israel after the four sterile centuries between the testaments. His message…
Should Baptists celebrate Lent? Mike and David discuss this question by examining the history of Lent, New Testament teachings on food, fasting, and spirituality, and the sacramental context in which Lenten observance usually occurs.
The era of the Gospels began with the gigantic miracle of the virgin conception and birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the entrance of God in the flesh into the temporal order. This era closed with the most colossal miracle of all human history—the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
We often rehearse how we are saved by faith, but God has also called us to live by faith.
Mike Hess discusses challenges facing the Church today and the importance of sound hermeneutics.
By Kyle Dunham How important is biblical creation for one’s theology? Self-professed evangelicals increasingly say, “Very little.” A surprising number of theologians downplay its importance. Wayne Grudem, while agreeing that…
By Nick Harsh Sunday morning. For some families, these two simple words call to mind a morning filled with chaos. For others, however, Sunday mornings are slow and provide an…
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By Rolland McCune On occasion through the years one reads or hears of a great revival somewhere in the world, a sudden outburst of the power of the Holy Spirit….
The Baptist Bulletin podcast will debut next week! Join hosts Mike Hess (GARBC National Representative) and David Gunn (RBP Director) for discussions on theology, ministry, and discipleship. The Baptist Bulletin…
By Rob Green Years ago, I heard the phrase “perception determines reality.” I remember being confused. Reality is not dependent on one’s perception, I reasoned. The saying made no sense…
Tax reform law that went into effect in 2018 includes a requirement for churches and nonprofits to pay tax on the cost of parking space used primarily by employees. Churches can take some easy steps to make certain that they remain in compliance.
Witnessing a son or daughter charging hastily into destruction is a burden so heavy even the most resolute parents despair of bearing it. But there is always hope in Christ.
By Bernie Augsburger Have you ever wondered how the Pilgrims could have a thanksgiving celebration after going through the most difficult year of their lives? The trip across the Atlantic,…
By Sam Horn There are certain cultural influences and age specific tendencies that can be observed in each generation. These “generational habits” are not always negative, but they do present…
A recent court decision declaring the Minister’s Housing Allowance unconstitutional is being appealed. However, your church and your pastor as an individual should consider what to do if he loses his housing allowance.
By Kyle Dunham This year marks the 70th anniversary of the inception of the modern state of Israel. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion announced from Tel Aviv the rebirth…
By Diane Scallon For those of you who have smartphones, please take a moment to check the battery status of your phone. In the battery section, it will give you…
by Jeff Burr The Incarnation is a revolutionary doctrine. Humanity was alienated from God because of its sin. Jesus, the eternal Son of God and the Creator of the universe,…
By Rebekah Anderson In 280 days, I get to marry my best friend—the man I admire more than anyone else in the world. And some people are surprised he’s black….
The Lord is lord of all. Whether rain or snow, cold or heat, wind or stagnant air, hurricane or calm, the Lord is the one who continues to uphold all of creation by His mighty power.
We begin a new school year with many concerns, apprehensions, and hopes. What better way to begin this school year than to begin in prayer?
The average church’s retention rate of unchurched first-time visitors is less than 3 percent. How can churches help visitors become regular attenders?
Regeneration is not a cooperative effort between God and man. God initiates the new birth by reaching down to us in love, mercy, and grace and lifting us from our lifeless condition. We do not meet Him halfway.
Why should you show up at church on a Sunday morning? Ever wonder that? Here are four reasons to attend church.
There are four lessons to be learned from current events surrounding pastors. Those in ministry need to pay attention and be warned.
“I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” Seven words and two sentences that will change your life and your relationships for the better.
Mothers are not generally regarded as warriors. However, the Bible describes some mothers who fought in a hand-to-hand combat for their children.
The crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem may have been fans of Jesus, but they certainly weren’t followers of Jesus.
Jesus is serious about His disciples working while He is away. Why do you think that you will be more fervent about serving Him tomorrow if you are unwilling to serve Him today?
Because we don’t know when Jesus will return, we must always be ready. To be ready is to be faithfully working for Christ. There is no time for casualness or time-wasting. The Master is coming. We must be working.
Logic is not what drove many to the pro-choice position, and it will be unlikely in itself to move them away from it.
How we communicate matters. When it comes to communication, there are clear benefits of having in-person conversations over emailing and texting.
Have you ever squandered a clear opportunity to testify about Jesus? The fear of man is strong. But we can consider ourselves in light of Who God is and fear Him most of all.
Whether spontaneously uttered, purposefully remembered, or extensively prepared, our gratefulness to God for Who He is and what He has done for us should be expressed regularly.
John Wycliffe’s passion for Scripture would be his distinctive legacy.
How should the church engage culture? It’s an important question because the culture is at war, and we’d better know where we stand when the roar reaches its fever pitch.
In these times of racial and political discord and division, how should the church respond? What can pastors do to lead their people with Biblical conviction to be on mission with Jesus and make a difference?
When you hear the word “God,” money is probably not your first thought. However, if we’re not careful, money can quickly take the place of God in your life.
The past two weeks have seen amazing events taking place in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. These events may well be a precursor to the fulfillment of important prophecies relating to the end times.
What does it mean to be spiritually free? It speaks of a status that is not true of everyone in this world.
The change in theological education represents a fundamental shift in both educational philosophy and religious pedagogy, is already having great effect on pulpits and pews.
Changes in either the church or higher education are quickly mimicked and often magnified in seminaries, and the speed at which these parties are changing is a relatively new phenomenon.
Many Christians obsess over making Christianity relevant. But why should Christianity be made relevant, and what would a relevant Christianity look like?
Within quite a few supposedly evangelical churches, we are witnessing the adoption of Catholic and Orthodox aesthetics and liturgical practices even where official allegiance to Catholicism or Orthodoxy is not claimed.
This Easter we are reminded once again that Jesus did not stay in the tomb but is fully alive. And our lives right now are worth the living just because He lives.
The Case for Christ is solid apologetics shared through the heartfelt and compelling story of Lee and Leslie Strobel.
A significant portion of our society, including a large number of professing believers, experience a disconnect when the terms “liberty” and “responsibility” are used together.
God brings trials of various kinds into all our lives, and we are not to be surprised by this.
A pastor shares his thoughts on the tragic double murder of a family in Illinois.
Church membership actually matters and is not only biblical, but practical and pastoral.
Moses took radical action against sin. He understood that sin leads to destruction and death, and he didn’t mess around.
As followers of the living God, we have an obligation to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to stand for life.
Any putative gospel that denies justification through faith alone is a false gospel, whatever other elements of truth it may contain.
What is a healthy church? A healthy church is one that maintains its first love.
The real meaning of Christmas is a message of hope flooding a darkened world with marvelous light, healing old wounds, reviving broken dreams, and setting the captives free.
Sunday Christmases bring dilemmas. Christmas is a special day, steeped in family traditions, and we’re not all that accustomed to spending time at church on Christmas Day.
Sometimes the water we are trying to navigate gets a little shallow, doesn’t it? This is the precise time we need to sail into God’s channel of peace.
When we reflect each December day on the gift of God’s Son, we gain a renewed appreciation for the true meaning of the season and we prepare our hearts to celebrate His birth on Christmas Day.
If you are overly joyful or overly disappointed following Tuesday’s election, you have probably put too much stock in a human leader.
The Gospel of Luke gives us a wonderful window into how Jesus changed the world in three short years. Luke shows that prayer played a vital role.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for humanity’s real problem.
Hostility toward the gospel is nothing new, and our response to it has already been scripted for us and modeled by generation after generation of gospel-servants who have suffered likewise.
We live in a time of unique opportunity when it comes to sharing our faith. But there are other factors that make this a challenging time for evangelism.
The fall of mega-church pastor Perry Noble has stunned the evangelical world and has raised the alcohol issue to the forefront of evangelical discussion yet again.
“I do all things for the sake of the gospel.” So said Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:23. I wonder whether this verse can sustain all the freight that has been loaded onto it over the years.
One of the more frequent retorts that is thrown at Christians is that we are not to judge. Unfortunately, some Christians have picked up on this and are propagating it too.
The recent savage shooting in Orlando has left the nation reeling, stunned by the awful display of cruelty and barbarism. It is fitting and proper, at a time such as this, to “weep with those who weep.”
GARBC National Representative John Greening responds to the allegations regarding Robert T. Ketcham published in “The ABWE and Donn Ketcham Investigations Final Report.”
GARBC National Representative John Greening responds to the recent publication titled, “The ABWE and Donn Ketcham Investigations Final Report.”
A letter to the editor introduces the evangelical as “America’s newest celebrity,” who increasingly is the lead story, the headline, and the main attraction.
Every philosophy rests on certain pillars—certain foundation stones. The gospel is Christianity’s foundation.
Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions that took the followers of Jesus on a wild ride during His last week?
The death of Christ was not the mere actions of the frenzied mood of misled Jews. Christ’s death was part of God’s purposeful plan.
This morning, terrorists struck the heart of Belgium. Why the cycle of hate and aggression? There are no simple, one-size-fits-all answers. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any answers at all.
Risen is a well-made film that may give opportunity for many gospel-centered conversations to happen among believers and unbelieving friends.
Controversy over Islam is increasing both within American religion and among American political candidates. How are Christians, and especially Baptists, supposed to think about Muslims?
In the debate concerning evolution and the age of the earth, certain arguments I grow tired of hearing. We spend so much time dealing with silly ideas that we cannot move on to the real meat of the issues.
On Dec. 3 the New York Daily News published the headline “God Isn’t Fixing This” in response to the outpouring of prayer support for the victims of the San Bernardino shootings. So how should we think about this from a Biblically informed worldview?
On Nov. 27, a gunman opened fire outside of a Planned Parenthood facility. We need to begin wrapping our minds around what happened and relating it to our walk with Christ in the world.
On the evening of Nov. 13, Islamic terrorists struck at the heart of France. The attacks were as well-orchestrated as they were devastating: armed to the teeth with bullets and…
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article entitled, “How Churches Are Rethinking Sunday School.” The author, Melanie Grayce West, documents how several New York City churches are rethinking and redesigning the traditional approach to…
What does it mean to be male or female? What does the Bible and general human reasoning say about this?
With the recent Hollywood success of War Room as a #1 movie, I see no reason why Woodlawn will not be a huge hit too. The main character, Hank Erwin Jr., is played by Sean Astin, who is best known from his role as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. Moviegoers will also know him as Rudy in the movie by the same name. Woodlawn has a wonderful storyline with compelling subplots and superb acting.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I have received multiple calls asking about the tax treatment of pastor appreciation gifts. I attempt to simplify things as much as possible, even when something has layers of complexity. So if your situation is beyond the following simple, straightforward explanations, always ask more questions.
The scientific community is abuzz this week with the announcement that liquid water has been confirmed on Mars. Of course scientists have long known that water is abundant in our universe (including on Mars), but specific evidence of a stable supply of liquid water has been lacking.
Every pastor has church growth–both spiritual and numerical–on his mind. Pastor Jeriah Shank examines four common elements of churches that experience healthy growth.
A few months ago, my wife and I were privileged to attend a preview screening of War Room, the latest movie produced by the Kendrick brothers (Courageous, Fireproof, & Facing the Giants are some of their other works). The movie opens Friday, August 28th, and I urge you to attend a showing in your community to support the movie.
“These creationists are inadvertently and blindly trusting man’s fallible dating methods for archaeological data.” So says Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis. Who are these blind individuals who have so readily capitulated to modernist scientific categories?
An axiom of the Christian life is, Those who are truly saved will suffer. Living in the here and now means some degree of struggle.
Recently released videos by The Center for Medical Progress have brought to light some of the more egregious atrocities committed by Planned Parenthood in the name of women’s health and medical research.
It was a cold, dark night in Bethlehem when the soldiers came. Methodically and without the slightest trace of pity they marched from house to house ransacking each one.
November 30, 1938. Surrounded by a throng of his fellow countrymen, a triumphant Neville Chamberlain held aloft a historic peace agreement.
By Bernie Augsburger “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do…
2015 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Same-Sex Marriage.
2015 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Our Connection to Christ.
2015 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Discipleship.
With the Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide, supporters of traditional marriage can’t help feeling as though they’ve been punched in the solar plexus.
The greatest danger facing the believer is not future persecution but daily love seduction from the world system.
Governments can use the powerful apparatus of civil censure to force people to behave as if a relationship between two people of the same sex were a marriage. But it is not and it never will be.
When reading books or hearing sermons on parables, you may well encounter some interesting commentary. Too often people approach the Bible’s parables as if they were true accounts.
At least theoretically, we are living in a culture governed by moral relativism. The old codes of right and wrong are no longer seen by the general populace to apply.
The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility (or free moral agency) has long been a fixation for me.
Lent is upon us! For the next 40 days, millions of professing Christians the world over will celebrate this ancient tradition.
By adopting their son, two parents found that they were imitating the glorious actions of our God and Savior, Who marvelously saved us, washed us, rescued us, and adopted us into His family.
The controversy surrounding The Interview is full of mystery and drama. It’s a drama that we can’t just stand by and watch, but should evaluate carefully from a Christian worldview.
Seventeen people died in the terrorist attacks in Paris last Wednesday. How will this affect our ministries in France?
Over the past week, the world has been transfixed on the slaughter of innocents in Paris by Islamic terrorists determined to exact revenge on those who insult their prophet, Muhammad.
With the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, the subject of radical Islam has been catapulted into a position of media prominence. This has brought, in its wake, a variety of…
2006 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, The Integrity of the Biblical Canon.
2006 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Biblical Preaching and Teaching.
There is no satisfaction on earth as great as that which comes when you get out of your chair and go do something in Christ’s name.
Have you ever wondered how the main characters surrounding the birth of Jesus would tell their version of the Christmas story?
2005 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Preterism and the Future, Physical Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies.
2005 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul.
2004 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, The Bible and Our Culture
Some pro-choice advocates agree that life begins at conception, but remain pro-choice.
Thoughts on dignity, suicide, and the sanctity of life in the wake of Brittany Maynard’s death.
2004 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Same-Sex Marriage.
Three reasons why fellowshipping with a church association is beneficial.
Clarifying what is and isn’t at stake in the Houston subpoena issue.
2003 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Christ’s Leadership.
Organizations often choose names that advertise their purpose or emphasis. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates aviation. The American Automobile Association helps drivers of automobiles. Alcoholics Anonymous is devoted to alcoholics—and anonymity. Names correlate with purposes.
I am convinced that if you trust in something or someone, you already absolutely believe that something or someone is worthy of your trust. Furthermore, your actions will reveal whether or not you truly believe in the object of that trust.
2002 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Reaction to the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.
2002 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Our Roots.
2002 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Child Protection.
2001 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Challenge for Partnering.
Examining the possible dangers that can flow from idolizing celebrity pastors.
2000 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Joint Resolution–GARBC & Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association (FBFA)
In the midst of many rather serious world events being covered in the news media, something that happened in an NFL preseason contest caused a bit of a stir.
2000 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Tolerance.
Biblical perspectives on suicide, stardom, and substance abuse in the wake of Robin Williams’ tragic death.
1999 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, The GARBC in a Postmodern Era.
What should Christians think about the Israel-Hamas conflict? This post brings historical and theological perspectives to bear on the controversial topic.
1998 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, The Gift of Salvation.
An Iraqi-born Baptist missionary takes a critical look at the treatment of women in Islam and its theological rationale.
1998 GARBC Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers, Integrity and Leadership.
Q. Please comment on the practice in many churches of dedicating infants and children in a church service ceremony. Is there a Biblical basis for this practice? A. I see…
One of the best things I’ve seen over the past several years in the world of sports took place on Sunday in Oakland. In silent protest to the remarks of Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling, the team walked onto the court, gathered at its center, and removed their team warm-ups to reveal inside-out undershirts.
Current events often have major impact on the ministries of friends and colleagues around the world. Missionary Scott Carter with ABWE in Ukraine writes his perspective on Acts 8:1–4 in light of the political happenings in that country.
Q. Lately some friends have begun attending a church that doesn’t have membership; a person who simply attends is considered a member. Is this right?
A. In the last few decades an increasing number of churches have gone this route, particularly so-called megachurches. The Bible doesn’t specifically use the word member concerning local churches, and I am not going to judge those churches that do not have what we might call formal membership. However, I believe a positive, Biblically harmonious case can be made for it.
Q. Two verses, 1 Samuel 16:7 and 16:12, seem to contradict each other. Please explain.
A. Samuel was to anoint a new king to take the place of wicked King Saul. God instructed Samuel to go to Jesse the Bethlehemite to find a king among his sons. Verse 7 says that the Lord warned Samuel not to evaluate the sons by their looks, “for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” After God indicated that the sons, one by one, were not whom He had in mind, verse 12 says that there was one son left, “so he sent and brought him [David] in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good looking. And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!’”
Money matters matter—even at church, because as church leaders we have a God-given responsibility on behalf of God’s people to direct the financial affairs of our churches with integrity and…
Whit Woodard Faithful Life Publishers, 182 Pages, Paper: $14.99, Kindle: $2.99; Nook: $2.99 Woodard, a Regular Baptist chaplain, gives insight concerning the chaplaincy, emphasizing the concept and its relationship to…
Ron Rhodes Harvest House, 298 Pages, Paper: $13.99 Here’s a unique way to study the last book of the Bible. Each day contains a Scripture portion and insights with easy-to-understand…
Paul W. Chappell Striving Together, 160 Pages, Hardcover: $14.95, Kindle: $7.95 Written in allegory form, the book “will not eliminate your burdens but will show you how to transfer them…
Q. Occasionally I hear preachers and others telling us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” How can this be right or even possible in our age, with the coming…
The task of a pastoral search committee in a church isn’t what it used to be. It was never easy, but it seems to be especially demanding these days due…
President Barack Obama on Thursday praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage as a “victory for American democracy” but clashed with his African host over gay rights, yahoo.com and…
A petition urging the Obama administration to ban the teaching of creation and intelligent design in U.S. schools was recently filed on the White House website. Written by an individual…
World News June 21: A substitute teacher believes he was fired because he’s a member of an international religious organization that distributes Bibles. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 18: The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an order that the Department of Justice must respond to a rehearing request regarding the legal status of a German homeschooling family. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 14: Southern Baptists expressed their “opposition to and disappointment in” the membership policy of the Boy Scouts of America. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 11: Two prominent civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 7: The number of churches that were dismissed from Presbyterian Church (USA) last year has increased by fivefold compared to 2011. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 4: Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are active in seven states responding to damage from floods, tornadoes, and other disasters on the eve of hurricane season. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 31: Most voters don’t approve of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation of news reporters. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 28: People concerned about the Boy Scouts’ membership policy are seeking alternative groups to join. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 24: Oklahoma Baptist disaster relief workers were in action immediately after the tornado hit. Read more about this and other news.
Voyle A. Glover Kregel Books, $12.99 “Good intentions alone will not stop the physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual damage resulting from just one incident of abuse,” says Voyle Glover, a…
Kenneth Bickel and Kevin Vanderground BMH Books, $15.99 “When ministry leaders grievously fail, the ripple effects often extend well beyond what any one person can comprehend,” say the authors of…
Q: I have a question about the belief some have that each Christian has a personal guardian angel that watches over and protects us through life. Is this belief true?…
Q. Please comment on Psalm 2:12, which mentions “kissing the Son.” A. The phrase “kiss the Son” is figurative language, referring to the actual practice in the time of the…
Most church leaders are happy to see guests visit on Sunday. Sometimes they come as a result of a personal invitation. At other times, a community ministry contact or a…
World News May 21: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to take up a case involving a New York town’s policy regarding prayers presented before public meetings. Read more about this and other news.
Mary Amesbury, comp. Baptist Mid-Missions, 356 Pages, Paper, $10.00+shipping/ handling This compilation of “faith-building” testimonies of Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries will stir your soul. Particularly eye-catching are the helpful categories under…
Dwight Gustafson Journey Forth, 72 Pages, Paper, $9.00 The author is a beloved former dean of the School of Fine Arts at Bob Jones University who for years taught courses…
William L. Lumpkin; Bill J. Leonard, ed. Judson Press, 548 Pages, Hardcover, $36.99 Here is a comprehensive resource on the various Baptist confessions of faith, beginning with the Anabaptist confessions…
Jonathan Bernis Chosen Books, 234 Pages, Paper, $15.99 A messianic believer, who is president of Jewish Voice Ministries, offers perspective on Bible prophecy as it relates to Israel. Janet Parshall…
Bradley G. Green, ed. IVP, 398 Pages, Paper, $24.00 You’ve probably heard the church fathers’ names—Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, and others—and regardless of your degree of knowledge of these…
World News May 17: The IRS will soon face more than controversy and Congressional hearings over its discrimination of pro-life and conservative groups. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 14: An IRS campaign to apply additional scrutiny to conservative groups included those focused on government spending, the Constitution, and several other broad areas. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 10: A House committee has launched an investigation in response to the trial of the abortion practitioner charged with multiple counts of infanticide. Read more about this and other news.
World News May 7: In a huge victory for pro-life advocates taking on the controversial HHS mandate, the Obama administration is giving up its effort to force a Bible publisher to obey it. Read more about this and other news.
Jonathan Cahn FrontLine, 262 Pages, Paper, $16.99 This book is taking born-again Christians by storm, and has been on bestseller lists such as the New York Times’ for some time…
Warren W. Wiersbe CLC Publications, 116 Pages, Paper, $8.50 This powerful new book from a prolific pen demonstrates how far off the track many churches are and what they must…
C. H. Spurgeon Banner of Truth Trust, 316 Pages, Hardcover, $28.00 Many of us have been blessed by published sermons and commentaries from the “prince of preachers.” Here is a…
Jim Geyer Ambassador International, 192 Pages, Paper, $12.99 A pastor shares insights he received from two blessings in life—having godly parents and being raised on a farm. Accountability, brevity of…
Banner of Truth Trust, 123 Pages, Softcover, $14.00 A letter came to Baptist churches in England and Wales asking them to send representatives to a meeting in London in 1677…
World News May 3: A California megachurch pastor who has recently come under fire for his views on homosexuality has declared that he will not be intimidated. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 30: President Obama addressed the nation’s largest abortion provider Friday, criticizing pro-life laws. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 26: Southern Baptist chaplains report that an SBC website has been blocked at military installations around the nation. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 23: Congress is now far more aware of the Kermit Gosnell story, the abortionist on trial for murder in Philadelphia. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 19: Well-known gospel soloist George Beverly Shea, 104, died Tuesday evening following a brief illness. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 16: An idea for a national day of prayer and fasting, which began in a column just several days ago, has now become a national movement. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 12: A Michigan high school canceled a speech by former Sen. Rick Santorum after teachers became outraged over his opposition to gay marriage. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 9: Soldiers in the U.S. military have been told in a training briefing that evangelical Christians are the No. 1 extremist threat to America. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 5: A portrait of Jesus that had adorned a southern Ohio public school district building since 1947 has been taken down. Read more about this and other news.
World News April 2: Edith Schaeffer, 98, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 30. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 29: Florida Gov. Rick Scott has stepped into the fray concerning a professor who told students to write the word “Jesus” on a piece of paper, throw it on the floor, and stomp on it. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 26: Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent imprisoned in Tehran, tells of the torture he has endured for his faith as well as the joy that comes with forgiving his perpetrators. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 22: Redefining marriage to include same-sex couples would jettison the rationale and logic behind prohibitions on polygamous marriages, according to several friend-of-the court briefs. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 19: The island nation of Cyprus made headlines, and rattled markets across the Western world, by announcing a raid on private bank accounts this week. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 15: The archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has been selected as the next Roman Catholic pope. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 12: Leaders at this past week’s National Religious Broadcasters conference warned that Christians may soon be forced to practice civil disobedience. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 8: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s unmanned Predator B drone fleet has been custom designed to identify civilians carrying guns and track cell phone signals. Read more about this and other news.
Q: Is it wrong to invest time in genealogies, family trees, etc.? I refer to Titus 3:9. A: Titus 3:9 reads, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about…
Q: In reading the book of Daniel, I came across something that appears to be contradictory. Daniel 12:11 says 1,290 days, while my understanding from being taught Daniel and Revelation…
Here’s what I’ve discovered about leadership development: some of the best leaders I’ve worked with as a pastor had their start as workers. They didn’t suddenly jump into leadership but…
World News March 5: The Department of Justice is saying that children do not need—and have no right to—mothers. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 1: John Freshwater got a day in court as his latest attempt to get reinstated as a schoolteacher was presented in oral arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 26: Tim Tebow has backed out of speaking at First Baptist Church of Dallas, saying he “needed to lay low and steer clear of controversy.” Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 22: Sen. Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 19: China’s Christians felt a noticeable rise in persecution in 2012 as the Communist government began the first of a three-phase plan to eradicate unregistered house churches. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 15: For a German family that fled to the U.S., the Justice Department is arguing that educating one’s own children is not a fundamental right. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 12: Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church on Monday when he announced he would stand down, the first pope to do so in 700 years. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 8: The Department of Justice has developed a white paper outlining the circumstances under which the U.S. can conduct a drone strike against an American citizen. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 5: The National Black Prolife Coalition has lobbied to have its Twitter account restored after the social media company yanked the group’s Tweeting privileges. Read more about this and other news.
World News Feb. 1: Frank S. Page issued comments on the current focus on the Boy Scouts of America. Read more about this and other news.
World News Jan. 29: The Boy Scouts of America is reportedly on the verge of changing its policy on homosexuals. Read more about this and other news.
World News Jan. 25: The head of a Messianic Jewish ministry says it’s too early to know just what kind of government might emerge from Tuesday’s surprise election results in Israel. Read more about this and other news.
World News Jan. 22: Open Doors has confirmed the death of two Christians in North Korea. Read more about this and other news.
World News Jan. 18: The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that “unborn children are persons with rights that should be protected by law.” Read more about this and other news.
World News Jan. 15: A public school teacher has filed a civil rights lawsuit after she was forced to remove all religious content from her classroom. Read more about this and other news.
DVD Vision Video, 105 Minutes, $16.99 Like it or not, Regular Baptists must recognize that Chuck Smith has had a profound effect on evangelical and fundamental Christianity since the 1960s….
Albert Mohler Bethany House, 222 Pages, Hardcover, $22.99 Albert Mohler is one of those writers whose familiar name compels the reader to take notice, no matter the topic. This book…
John MacArthur Thomas Nelson, 328 Pages, Hardcover, $29.99 A reader might wonder what could be said about evangelism that would differ from what numerous other books say on soul-winning. MacArthur…
Elmer Towns and Ben Gutierrez, eds. B&H, 368 Pages, Hardcover, $39.99 Here is a very attractive, nicely laid-out book with more than 150 full-color photos, maps, illustrations, charts, introductions to…
Dave Barba Journey Forth, 132 Pages, Paper, $13.00 This book gives hope and practical, Biblical help for those in ministry who are discouraged, lonely, financially stressed, physically afflicted, rejected, or…
World News Jan. 11: A pastor’s withdrawal from President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony has left Christians lamenting over what they see as a new era of religious intolerance. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 8: A report in WorldNetDaily notes that Barack Obama’s criticism of congressional efforts to protect the faith-based values of military chaplains is disturbing on many levels. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 4: Tens of thousands of Americans have committed to support Hobby Lobby on Jan. 5 after courts have refused to issue a ruling stopping the HHS mandate. Read more about this and other news.
The local church, by God’s design, has the responsibility of fostering spiritual growth. All that we do in worship, fellowship, service, and Bible study ought to be means toward our…
Q: What does “born of water” in John 3:5 mean? A: Several views exist. Some believe it refers to water baptism, meaning that a person needs to be baptized in…
Q: We’re convinced Jesus never married, contrary to what some attention-getting liberals have advanced lately, but what about His disciples? And if any of them were married, how could they…
World News Jan. 1: Hobby Lobby will defy the Obamacare mandate that health insurance for its employees cover “abortion-inducing drugs.” Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 28: It was a bad Christmas for Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, the Church of Iran pastor who has been returned to jail on an earlier charge. Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 21: A federal appeals court sided with two colleges in a decision related to the ongoing court challenges to the Obama administration’s birth control mandate. Read more about this and other news.
Ron Rhodes Harvest House, 340 Pages, Paper, $17.99 Another book that would greatly help believers grow in their knowledge of the Word, particularly in eschatology, it defines more than 350…
Rick Horne Shepherd Press, 192 Pages, Paper, $13.95 Here is great Biblical guidance for parents who are struggling in this area. One author, Dave Harvey, writes, “Rick Horne knows teens—the…
Eric J. Bargerhuff Bethany House, 173 Pages, Paper, $12.99 This interesting book cites 17 commonly misused Scripture passages and explains their true meaning. But first the work tells why Scripture…
Gordon D. Fee and Robert L. Hubbard Jr., gen. eds. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 834 Pages, Hardcover, $40.00 This voluminous edition uses respected Biblical scholars to provide background information and commentary…
Robert D. Jones Crossway Books, 208 Pages, Paper, $14.99 Conflicts in a person’s life can happen anywhere and can take on any form. Those we love and those around us…
David W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge Kregel Publications, 201 Pages, Paper, $13.99 Yes, the prosperity gospel is still alive and well. Jones and Woodbridge show that in our economically…
World News Dec. 18: Christians, including Christian leaders, are pondering the tragedy of last week’s mass killings in a Connecticut grade school. Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 14: Twenty-five same-sex couples exchanged vows in a group wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church in Seattle Dec. 9. Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 11: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up two cases that could either lead to the legalization of gay marriage nationwide or affirm the right to protect traditional marriage. Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 7: A United Nations treaty to ban discrimination against people with disabilities went down to defeat in the Senate on Tuesday. Read more about this and other news.
World News Dec. 4: The Supreme Court took no action Monday on historic cases involving same-sex marriage. Read more about this and other news.
World News Nov. 30: The U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday in favor of Palestinian statehood. Read more about this and other news.
World News Nov. 27: Another challenge to the Affordable Care Act can continue, the Supreme Court has ruled. Read more about this and other news.
World News Nov. 23: This year will see an unprecedented move by the big boys of retail to open their stores earlier than ever on Thanksgiving Day. Read more about this and other news.
World News Nov. 20: A federal court on Friday stopped enforcement of the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate against Tyndale House Publishers. Read more about this and other news.
World News Nov. 16: President Barack Obama will be taking the oath of office on Jan. 21, and atheists want him to do so without mentioning “God” and without a Bible.
World News Nov. 13: Could it be that Mitt Romney might have won last week’s election or at least received more votes than he did? Read more about this and other news.
Q. Are churches required to use bread without yeast in observing the Lord’s Table? A. Churches use a variety of elements in Communion bread, but those who insist on unleavened…
Church ministry is people ministry, and those of us who seek to sharpen our skills in this area will reap the rewards of greater support and unity among our people—and…
World News Nov. 9: Christians and conservatives in general found virtually nothing to cheer about in the elections of the past week. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Nov. 6: The IRS says it is not auditing churches, because it does not have the authority to take away churches’ tax-free status. Read more about this and other news.
Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice, Ed Hindson, gen. eds. Harvest House, 313 Pages, Paper, $14.99 This book is a great resource on the pretribulation Rapture, the position held by the GARBC….
Fred Moritz Faithful Life Publishers, 133 Pages, Paper, $12.99 Those in fundamental Bible-believing Christianity will appreciate this historical account of one of its mission agencies. The story begins in the…
Dan Story Kregel Publications, 203 Pages, Paper, $13.99 Whatever one’s view on this hot topic, the reader should find this book thought-provoking. Dan Story considers questions like, Is Christianity to…
DVD Vision Video, 58 Minutes, $15.99 Africa, once called “The Dark Continent,” changed dramatically when David Livingstone came to its shores. Considered one of the greatest of gospel missionary pioneers…
Steve Zollos Shepherd Press, 202 Pages, Paper, $13.95 Telling sons the facts of life is daunting, and many Christian dads end up doing nothing (research indicates 60 percent). This book…
Brian H. Cosby P & R Publishing, 150 Pages, Paper, $12.99 Brian Cosby, in youth ministry for more than a decade, calls churches to gear youth ministry back to solid…
World News Nov. 2: In an unprecedented move for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, all large-capacity mobile kitchens in the fleet east of the Rocky Mountains have been asked to mobilize in response to Hurricane Sandy. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 30: As cities up and down the East Coast were preparing for Hurricane Sandy, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders were preparing for a large-scale response. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 26: An urgent request from the CIA annex for military back-up during the attack on the U.S. Consulate and subsequent attack several hours later was indeed denied by U.S. officials. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 23: A 23-year military intelligence veteran is casting strong suspicion on weekend statements from Barack Obama’s re-election campaign that talks with Iran are imminent. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 19: A group of Texas cheerleaders may continue to display Biblical-themed banners during high school football games, a judge says. Read more about this and other news.
Q. Please explain Matthew 7:1 in relation to our need to exercise discernment. A. The familiar verse is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” It is often used to…
Although Sunday School ministry has been declining in recent decades, I’m not ready to give up on it. I still think the Sunday School is the church’s best ministry for…
Q. Recently I heard that a certain cult teaches we can become gods, based on Psalm 82:6 and John 10:33 and 34. Please comment. A. The Bible nowhere teaches that…
World News Oct. 16: About 25 to 30 Christian college students were massacred at a university in northeastern Nigeria, causing Christians to pray for a “change of heart” among the Islamist group Boko Haram. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 12: A school district will pay hefty legal fees after a federal appeals court decided that the district committed viewpoint discrimination by not allowing a Christian club to remain part of a school’s activities program. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 9: A man who can rightly be called an American hero was memorialized at the Coronado Naval Air Station Chapel in San Diego on Sept. 20. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 5: A college student who claims he once had same-sex attractions but became heterosexual after conversion therapy has filed a lawsuit against California. Read more about this and other news.
World News Oct. 2: Thousands of conservative Christians gathered Saturday on Independence Mall in Philadelphia to pray for the future of the United States in the weeks before the presidential election. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 28: Could you imagine going to jail for your faith? A recent report warns that it could happen. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 25: Chick-fil-A has cleared up rumors that it has revised its charitable donation policy to exclude “anti-gay” groups. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Sept. 21: A so-called Gospel of Jesus’ Wife isn’t sending shock waves through the Christian world as some publications have reported. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Sept. 18: Missouri lawmakers have ignored the warnings of the Obama administration and overrode their governor’s veto to enact religious exemptions to the abortion pill mandate. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 14: Anti-American protests erupted across the Middle East Friday, following weeklong demonstrations outside of several U.S. embassies and a 9/11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 11: Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was sentenced to death in his country for his Christian faith, has been acquitted of apostasy charges and released from custody. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 7: After excluding God from their platform, Democrats hurriedly rewrote their convention platform Wednesday amid criticism to add a mention of God and declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Read more about this and other news.
World News Sept. 4: Rev. Moon Sun-myung, who founded a global religious movement, died Monday at his Unification Church complex east of Seoul, South Korea. Read more about this and other news.
World News Aug. 31: Republicans approved a party platform at their national convention Tuesday that would ban all abortions and gay marriages and reshape Medicare. Read about this and other world news.
World News Aug. 28: A federal appeals court has determined a federal judge was right to throw out a lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama’s decision to force taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Aug. 24: Texas officials are vowing to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Aug. 21: The joint study from two conservative groups, Liberty Institute and the Family Research Council, reveals proven hostility toward Christianity in the U.S. Read more about this and other news.
World News Aug. 17: Authorities took a gunman into custody in the wake of a shooting Wednesday at the headquarters of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. Read more about this and other news.
World News Aug. 14: Mitt Romney’s announcement that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan is his VP choice is getting widespread approval within the conservative community. Read more about this and other news.
World News Aug. 10: In the wake of tragedy among the Sikh community, Christians have an unprecedented opportunity to reach out with the gospel. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Aug. 7: A major evangelical Christian gathering is set to take place in Charlotte, N.C., the day before the Democratic National Convention. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Aug. 3: According to the Support Chick-fil-A Facebook page, more than 550,000 people committed to visit the fast-food restaurant Wednesday. Read more about this and other world news.
World News July 31: Reaction has been strong following Monday’s announcement that the Democratic Party plans to adopt support for gay marriage. Read more about this and other world news.
World News July 27: Thousands of Christians are mobilizing efforts to support Chick-fil-A. Read more about this and other world news.
World News July 24: While police are still investigating the motive behind Friday’s shooting at a theater in Aurora, Colo., some Christians are convinced of the real source: evil. Read more about this and other news.
World News July 20: After a confidential two-year review, the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday emphatically reaffirmed its policy of excluding gays. Read more about this and other news.
Thomas E. Bergler Eerdmans Publishing, 281 Pages, Paper, $25.00 The cover letter accompanying this book summarizes it best: “Pop worship music. Falling in love with Jesus. Mission trips. Wearing jeans…
Gloria Vermaas Goering Xulon Press, 472 Pages, Paper, $24.99 A longtime member of one of our GARBC churches has produced an unpretentious yet unique book: Gloria Goering kept a record…
Eric W. Gritsch Eerdmans Publishing, 158 Pages, Paper, $25.00 The vitriolic attitude of Martin Luther toward Jews has shocked many who have read the great reformer’s writings, such as On…
Robert P. Lightner Grace Acres Press, 86 Pages, Paper, $11.95 From a respected author in our circles comes this short but helpful study on the epistle of James. Charts and…
Dan Phillips Kregel Publications, 315 Pages, Paper, $17.99 Why did the early Christian church thrive despite not possessing what we Western Christians have materially? The author calls attention to believers’…
Tom Nelson Crossway Books, 221 Pages, Paper, $15.99 This book challenges readers to make work a divine calling, not just a way to make a living. It shows the Biblical…
World News July 17: A legal expert is urging Mississippi to stand strong against a lesbian couple’s demand to use state facilities for a commitment ceremony. Read more about this and other news.
World News July 13: Episcopalians approved a churchwide ceremony Tuesday to bless same-sex couples. Read more about this and other news.
World News July 10: The public’s perception of the military since the repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is being manipulated by the U.S. Department of Defense, says the director of a chaplain alliance group. Read more about this and other news.
World News July 6: The Baptist church in Georgia that produced Fireproof and Courageous received thousands of people for its annual Independence Day celebration. Read more about this and other news.
World News June 29: Christians are reacting to this week’s Supreme Court announcement on ObamaCare. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 26: In a widely watched Swedish homeschool case, two parents and their child are closer to being reunited. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 22: Several major happenings took place in the past week’s national conclave of the Southern Baptist Convention. Read more about this and other world news.
I’m resuming this series after a break. I struggle with breaking this down into “bite-size” chunks. I already looked at how this type of language is prevalent in the NT. …
World News June 19: General Mills is supporting homosexual marriage, leaving critics surprised at its abandonment of traditional values families. Read more about this and other world news.
D. A. Carson Eerdmans Publishing, 186 Pages, Hardcover, $24.00 “Far from bringing peace, the new tolerance is progressively becoming more intolerant, fostering moral myopia, proving unable to engage in serious and…
Byron Forrest Yawn Harvest House, 190 Pages, Paper, $11.99 In the foreword, John MacArthur calls attention to the role that fathers in Bible times played in the lives of their…
Paul Chappell Striving Together, 222 Pages, Paper, $12.95. Practical help for deacons comes in two parts. Part 1 covers qualifications, duties, relationships, and the deacon’s wife. Part 2 gives practical…
This guide should provide help for all involved. It includes topics such as strategy, recruiting, determining location and facilities, and monetary issues.
Stephen Viars Harvest House, 247 Pages, Paper, $12.99. This book offers help in viewing past sins, missed opportunities, and hurt memories and dealing with them Biblically so the person can…
Robert L. Sumner Biblical Evangelism Press, 265 Pages, Paper, $12.00 Some time ago the Baptist Bulletin reviewed Sumner’s first book by this title. In the book Sumner, editor of The…
World News June 15: More than 6,000 people took part in a webcast on Monday to launch a program to help people who want to leave their jobs in the abortion industry. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 12: A coalition of groups seeking to overturn Washington State’s same-sex marriage law received twice as many signatures as needed for a referendum in November. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 8: Gov. Scott Walker easily survived his recall election brought on by organized labor in Wisconsin by winning 54 percent of the vote. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 5: A measure to ban abortions based on the sex of a child failed to earn enough support in the House. Read more about this and other world news.
World News June 1: A federal appeals court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in a unanimous ruling Thursday. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 29:A “new rainbow coalition” made up of Christian pastors and leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to support traditional marriage. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 22: An influential African-American evangelical pastor says that many black Christians are in an “adulterous” relationship with President Obama over the issue of same-sex marriage. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 18: A new pastor in St. Clair, Mo., doesn’t play softball, but members of his church do. Or at least they did until their pastor’s bisexuality prompted a boycott. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 15: Leaders of some of the nation’s largest religious denominations say they are distressed and saddened by President Obama’s support for gay marriage. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 11: North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 8: Tennessee lawmakers are now backing Christian student groups at Vanderbilt University. Read more about this and other world news.
World News May 4: Iranian officials have sentenced a human rights attorney to prison, putting the pastor he was working for in greater danger. Read more about this and other world news.
8 things deacons can do to help their pastors stay balanced, healthy, and effective Never have the demands been greater or the pressures more stressful than for pastors today. Higher…
Q. Please explain what two curious statements mean Biblically: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; cf. 20:16); and “Many are called, but few…
World News May 1: As many as 100 high school students walked out of a national journalism conference after Dan Savage, an anti-bullying speaker, began attacking the Bible. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 27: Students at an elementary school in Phoenix, Ariz., will be allowed to pass out fliers promoting a Good News Club after-school program as the result of a settlement. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 24: Chuck Colson, who became a Christian amid the Watergate scandal and later an advocate for the spiritual transformation of prisoners, died Saturday. Read more about this and other world news.
C. John Collins Crossway Books, 192 Pages, Paper, $15.99 The title notes perhaps the latest in a series of evangelical questionings of Bible doctrines that Christians have simply accepted in…
Jay Lucas Reliance Media, 269 Pages, Paper, $14.95 Society, American society in particular, is very conscious of individual and group rights, so much so that it has contributed to chaos…
Mark Hitchcock Harvest House, 198 Pages, Paper, $13.99 Prolific prophecy author Hitchcock presents a new work to answer the question of the curious, Who is the Antichrist? He begins with…
Eric Kress and Paul Tautges Kress Biblical Resources, 205 Pages, Paper, $14.99 This book is an excellent verse-by-verse commentary on Lamentations, intended to help Biblical counselors, among others. Included are…
David A. Norris iUniverse, Inc., 180 Pages, Paper, $16.95 Norris presents 15 principles that liberated mankind from the politics of tyranny, and contends that schools stopped teaching the American belief…
Joy Mielke AuthorHouse, 107 Pages, Paper, $11.99 Mielke shares the account of her grandfather, who served in China as a missionary from 1913 through 1938, and then at home until…
World News April 20: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that allows classes that focus on the Bible and its influence on western civilization. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 17: The National Organization for Marriage explains why it has endorsed Mitt Romney for president, even though his state was the first to legalize same-sex marriage. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 13: In response to the political battle for female voters, the exchange elevated to “mommy bashing” when Hilary Rosen leveled a blow at Mitt Romney’s wife. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 10: A school under fire for changing “God Bless the USA” to “We Love the USA” reversed course after drawing a backlash and legal threats. Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 6: President Obama gave an ultimatum on a pending U.S. Supreme Court case, saying that if the justices overturned his healthcare law, it would amount to “judicial activism.” Read more about this and other world news.
World News April 3: For the first time, the U.S. military has hosted an event specifically for atheist and agnostic soldiers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 27: The U.S. Supreme Court has begun hearing arguments in the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 23: The abduction of a 7-year-old is being called one of the worst cases of government abuse ever committed against a homeschooling family. Read more about this and other news.
World News March 20: The White House is in talks with faith groups about the administration’s contraception mandate. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 16: A Christian minister at Southwest Minnesota State University was threatened with a citation for trespassing. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 13: A New York imam has declared that he will start a campaign on April 22 to make the April 26 birthday of the Muslim prophet Muhammad a national holiday. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 9: Franklin Graham has said if the government passes an edict forcing him to hire employees who do not share his Christian outlook, he will “break the law.” Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 6: After vicious storms ripped through the South and Midwest, stories of survival and God’s protection have begun to emerge. Read more about this and other world news.
World News March 2: A state lawmaker is proposing to allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse midwives to perform abortions as a way of expanding access to the procedure across California. Read more about this and other world news.
Q. I have met some believers recently who say that to truly be spiritual, one must know the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew and Greek). Please comment. A. If…
Q. I have some questions about Adam and Eve when they sinned. Where was Adam when Eve was tempted? Also, why does Adam apparently get the blame for their sinning,…
12 Suggestions . . . First, a disclaimer: I’m not an expert on worship. I’ve had no significant training in music or the arts (although I did have piano lessons…
World News Feb. 28: Kentucky Baptists were victorious in their effort to stop seven casinos from entering the state when a bill fell short of the votes it needed in the state Senate. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 24: A Southern Baptist Convention task force has recommended that the SBC keep its name, but introduce the descriptor “Great Commission Baptists.” Read more about this and other world news.
Prior to the 1970s, most Baptists did not observe Lent, a 40-day period of penance, voluntary fasting, and self-denial. Now several Baptist leaders are suggesting this should change.
World News Feb. 21: The contraceptive mandate harms not only Baptists and other religious adherents, but all Americans, says a Southern Baptist ethicist. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 17: Conservative Christian groups are outraged that a school decided a lunch a preschooler’s mother prepared was not healthy enough and replaced it with chicken nuggets. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 14: President Obama announced a change in the way that employees of religious organizations will receive free contraceptives, but it fell short of what is needed to protect religious liberty. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 10: A resurgent Rick Santorum has been declared the winner in three states. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 7: A surprise announcement by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to reverse its decision to fund Planned Parenthood has pro-life groups and advocates shaking their heads. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Feb. 3: Wycliffe Bible Translators is in hot water over new Bible translations they have worked on that purport to avoid offending Muslims. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 31: A former Eastern Michigan University student has the right to present her religious discrimination suit to a federal jury, ruled the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 27: Tens of thousands of pro-lifers joined together Jan. 23 for the annual March for Life that followed a weekend of pro-life events in the Washington area. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 24: Christian and pro-life groups are decrying President Obama’s order that health care plans must cover contraceptives, including abortion-causing drugs. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 20: Should a Christian church be allowed to practice its faith in all of its activities? Not according to a New Jersey judge. Read more about this and other world news.
Hannah Farver Moody Publishers, 269 pages, Paper, $12.99 Well written by a young woman, for young women (college age and younger), this book shows an unusual depth of wisdom; the…
Stephen and Alex Kendrick B&H Publishing, 257 Pages, Paper, $14.99 The back cover reads, “From the New York Times best-selling authors of The Love Dare comes a strong resolution of…
Arno Froese Olive Press, 253 Pages, Paper, $12.95 People just about everywhere are watching with keen interest as nations like Egypt and Libya are deposing longtime dictators and supposedly attempting…
Francis Chan David C. Cook, 186 Pages, Paper, $14.99. “There is a big gap between what we read in Scripture about the Holy Spirit and how most believers and churches…
Lisa Grote, ed. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, 242 Pages (workbook), Paper, $49.95 A virtual textbook, the large workbook includes assessment of needs, leadership issues, training scenarios, sample policies, checklists, applications,…
David R. Stokes Steerforth Press, 350 Pages, Hardcover, $27.00 The value of this book is historical; it is a detailed account of the trial of J. Frank Norris, leading fundamentalist…
World News Jan. 17: As the Republican voting moves South, the religion of front-runner Mitt Romney may be an inescapable issue in many voters’ minds. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 13: The United States Supreme Court has delivered “a knockout blow to the White House in the cause of religious liberty.” Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 10: Police have arrested New York City councilman and pastor Fernando Cabrera and six others on charges of “criminal trespassing.” Read more about this and other world news.
World News Jan. 6: Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum won a plurality of support from evangelicals in the Iowa GOP caucuses Tuesday. Read more about this and other world news.
Successful church leadership is rooted in spiritual commitment. People who are walking with God, growing in their faith, demonstrating godly character, and seeking God’s guidance make the best leaders! Our…
Q. Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? Is it true that Sunday worship originated in Roman Catholicism? A. It may be true that some people trace the…
World News Jan. 3: With changing social trends and approaches to tying the knot, the church’s message on marriage is going to have to be repackaged for 2012. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Dec. 30: Since 1998, WORLD magazine has selected one Christian who has stood up against ungodly trends. This year WORLD has chosen Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Dec. 28: On Christmas Day, police across China tear gassed and beat Christians for worshiping at “unofficial” Christmas services. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Dec. 23: Several defectors from North Korea have noted their sympathies for the North Korean people, who they say will be forced to cry over their leader’s death. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Dec. 20: The battle over a nativity scene in Athens, Texas, reached new heights this past weekend when up to 5,000 supporters flooded the town square. Read more about this and other world news.
World News Dec. 16: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reaching out to Christians with warm wishes. Read more about this and other news.
Calvin R. Stapert Eerdmans Publishing, 192 Pages, Paper, $15.00 Increase your knowledge and appreciation of this magnificent oratorio, so much a part of the Christmas experience for many. Includes a…
DVD Unusual Films (BJU Press), 135 min., $18.36 This video tells the story of a young man in the Roaring ’20s who dreams of playing baseball in the big leagues….
Matthew C. Hoskinson Bob Jones University Press, 228 Pages, Paper, $22.95 For many years Regular Baptist Press has published a well-received book written by Dr. Robert Gromacki, Salvation Is Forever,…
Brian C. Brewer, ed. Judson Press, 174 Pages, Paper, $17.99 A press release for this book says that we are living in a post- denominational age in which church membership is…
Roger N. McNamara Xulon Press, 156 Pages, Paper, $14.99 Troubling news about tragic sins committed against children comes to us constantly, it would seem, demanding that we do all we…
Among my responsibilities as associate national representative of the GARBC is working with churches that are in pastoral transition. Much of that work focuses on helping pulpit committees establish a…
Q. In Genesis 3:22, God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.” Many theologians say “Us” is the Trinity: God the Father,…
Dr. Carl A. Moeller and David W. Hegg Moody Publishers, 152 Pages, Paper, $13.99 Following Christ can be deadly in many parts of the world, yet Christian churches thrive in…
Stephen Ong Chambers Press, 178 Pages, Paper, $8.00 Ong answers questions such as, What causes leaders to go bad? How can one prevent bad leaders from coming to power? Why…
Charles Anderson WinePress Publishing, 208 Pages, Paper, $16.95 A church planter with Baptist Mid-Missions tells of his experiences in sharing Christ on a 2,160-mile hike.
Andrew Himes Chiara Press, 344 Pages, Paper, $16.95 Many people probably don’t know that evangelist and editor John R. Rice had a black sheep in his clan—the author of this…
Michael J. Peck Baptist Church Planters Couple’s Edition ($7.95), Leader’s Edition ($19.95), DVD ($39.95) Some time ago Michael Peck came up with a premarital counseling set, From This Day Forward,…
Q. When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took their herds with them. Why didn’t they eat their flocks instead of complaining and receiving manna? Also, how long did they receive…
Q. Recently I was introduced to some literature by a group that says believers should petition angels. The group says that angels are our best friends and want to help…
Sometimes our church outreach events are our community’s best kept secret. We do a great job planning them—safety clinics, classic car shows, sportsmen’s dinners, sports tourneys, dinner theaters, Christmas pageants—but,…
Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche, general editors Harvest House, 501 Pages, Paper, $19.99 In the introduction the authors tell of their own experience with homosexuality. Joe Dallas, who has led…
Kenman L. Wong and Scott B. Rae IVP, 288 Pages, Paper, $24.00 A statement on the back cover challenges the reader, “Is business just a way to make money—lots of…
Tim Pawlenty Tyndale House, 301 Pages, Hardcover, $26.99 Yes, he was a successful two-term conservative governor of his liberal home state, Minnesota. Yes, his name is becoming known nationally as…
Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus Crossway, 216 pages, Paper, $14.99 Give Them Grace will resonate with all parents who have ever felt hopeless in…
L. Duane Brown Faithful Life Publishers, 222 Pages, Paper, $15.99 Here’s a book that purposes to focus on this one aspect of eschatology—the word “apostasy,” what it means and what…
8 Common Mistakes Church Leaders Make Where would we be without those faithful workers who regularly give of their time to serve in our churches? I think we all know…
Q. People in our fundamental circles believe that the so-called sign gifts in the early New Testament church, such as speaking in tongues, ceased and are not for today. On…
Leland Ryken Crossway, 265 Pages, Paper, $15.99 Here’s another tribute to the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, “the most influential English translation” (as the front cover states). Leland…
Brian G. Hedges Shepherd Press 302 Pages, Paper, $15.95 The pastor of a GARBC church has put into words important how-to principles for spiritual growth and maturity. In the introduction,…
Norman L. Geisler Bethany House 173 Pages, Paper, $14.99 As this review was being written, the world had just experienced one of the worst earthquakes in history (Japan’s largest since…
David W. Bebbington Baylor University Press 315 Pages, Paper, $39.95 Every Baptist needs to know what Baptists believe and practice, but they also should know Baptist history. Here is a…
Another evangelical pastor has written a liberal coming-out book, a sad trend that is becoming an annual rite of spring. Last year Brian McLaren surprised nearly no one with A…
4 Suggestions I’ve never heard of a church that didn’t have a constitution, but I have heard of church leaders who wish they didn’t have one! Outdated wording, obscure explanations,…
Q. In Acts 23 or 24, Paul talks to his accusers in either Aramaic or Hebrew—it depends on which translation one reads. What is the difference, and why don’t the…
Q. Please comment on “unworthy” in 1 Corinthians 11:27. I’ll admit I sometimes am afraid of taking the Lord’s Supper unworthily. A. If you are a believer and are walking…
Q. Please comment as to who the “angel” is in Revelation 2:1. A. Revelation 2 and 3 include messages the Lord gave to the seven churches of Asia in existence…
The Christian Post has published an article by R. Albert Mohler Jr. in which Mohler ruminates on decades old research by Dean Kelley and a recent David Brooks op-ed article…
Douglas R. McLachlan’s book highlights numerous principles of historic fundamentalism that are the foundation of what a fundamentalist should believe.
William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen Tyndale, 690 Pages, Paper, $19.99 It’s doubtful they’re exaggerating when the publisher says on the back cover that this work is “the largest collection of…
Mark Hitchcock Harvest House, 184 Pages, Paper, $12.99 A number of predications are circulating these days concerning the Lord’s return and the end of the world. Even some professing believers…
John Crotts Shepherd Press, 138 Pages, Paper, $13.95 “Satan has taken over the local churches.” “Churches are irrelevant, at best.” “Churches today are nothing but victims of false doctrines, the…
Mark Hitchcock Harvest House, 237 Pages, Paper, $13.99 Part 1 of this book has 10 chapters for “10 Amazing Fulfilled Prophecies.” Included is “the greatest prophecy ever given” (chapter 4)….
Q. Legalizing polygamy has been in the news lately. If it’s wrong, why did so many Old Testament believers practice it? Why did they go unpunished? A. In the Dispensation…
In the first year of one of my pastorates, I removed about 200 people from the membership! It’s true—but let me explain. Although the church constitution included a clear statement…
Nathan MacDonald Wm. B. Eerdmans 156 Pages, Paper, $16.00 Beginning with a consideration of God’s promise to His Chosen People of a new land “flowing with milk and honey,” this…
Are we commanded to pray for the salvation of the lost? Mathew 9:37, 38 – Pray for laborers Acts 4:29–31 – Pray for boldness Colossians 4:2–4 – Pray for opportunity to…
DVD Vision Video, 42 minutes, $19.99 This year hails the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Still a best seller, the KJV is considered the greatest,…
T. David Gordon P & R Publishing, 190 Pages, Paper, $12.99 The book’s title and cover more or less reveal the thesis, along with the initial statement on the back…
David and Betty Weinberger Association of Messianic Home Educators 40 Pages, Hardcover, $22.00 With the observance of our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection ap-proaching, this beautifully illustrated story deserves consideration….
Michael J. Peck Baptist Church Planters 115 Pages (Couple’s Edition), Paper 124 Pages (Counselor’s Edition), Paper $29.95 for set of two couple’s books and one counselor’s edition Married people who…
John 17:20 is a prayer for all future believers: “I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message”; in other words, the message I have shared with…
My wife works at a learning center that, among other things, teaches students reading skills. The center start this emphasis with its youngest students, preschoolers, and continues to the oldest, who are in…
Good communication is a central part of a pastor’s role as a preacher and Bible teacher. It’s also an important skill in the ministry of deacons and other leaders, who…
Q. Just when did Satan fall? Why did God allow Satan to fall, and why did God even create Satan in the first place? A.To consider when Satan fell (see…
Here’s a great quote from the book Extreme Righteousness: Perhaps an even more telling gauge of our self-righteousness is the stance from which we offer our forgiveness to those who…
Over the weekend The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader opened in theaters across the country. I had the opportunity to attend an advance screening a few…
Austin Hill and Scott Rae Northfield Publishing (Moody Publishers), 153 Pages, Paper, $14.99 With the economy the way it is, and with the current U.S. administration increasingly being regarded as…
Jim Newheiser and Elyse Fitzpatrick P & R Publishing, 224 Pages, Paper, $14.99 Here’s another book that somewhat relates to the current economy, since many young adults are living at…
J. Steven Hunt Reedy Press, 138 Pages, Hardcover, $49.95 + $4.00 S&H Western Baptist Bible College (now Corban University) was part of the former GARBC approval system of colleges. This…
Mosab Hassan Yousef SaltRiver (Tyndale House), 265 Pages, Hardcover, $26.99 As the jacket states, this New York Times best seller is “a gripping account of terror, betrayal, political intrigue, and…
Here are some book recommendations to help you, and perhaps your church, think through congregational worship and the accompanying issues. Gordon MacDonald’s Who Stole My Church? Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007…
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m thinking of how a pastor might cultivate thankfulness in his own heart for God’s goodness, and how he might teach his congregation thankfulness as they grow together in Christ. I recently picked the brain of my pastoral mentor, Rich Van Heukelum, on this subject. I trust that his responses will better equip us all.
An Introductory Meditation on Ephesians 1:3–14 by Myron J. Houghton Introduction Actually I am attempting to put down on paper some seed thoughts that various readers of this forum would…
Pastor Ken Pyne of Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, Mich., contributed the following post. We face many issues—often controversial—when developing a philosophy of church music and worship. How should we deal with these? Ken lists several of these issues, but then gives principles we need to establish even before considering these details. He offers good advice on how to tie things together Biblically.
Q. Please comment on Exodus 11 and 12, where the “death angel” supposedly killed the firstborn of any families who didn’t have blood sprinkled on their doorposts on the night…
We have plenty of guests in our services,” a church-planting pastor recently told me. “But they don’t seem to want to come back.” I’ve heard similar comments more than once…
Q. After Job’s intense suffering, the Bible says he was given more than he had before his trials began, including seven sons and three daughters. Were these through his first…
From major metropolitan centers to rural back-road hamlets, America is becoming increasingly multiethnic. Accompanying this increasing demographic reality are churches’ attempts to Biblically respond and think through issues related to multiethnic ministry.
This week we are looking at the topic of the pastor’s spiritual life. The pastor is the spiritual leader for the church, but where does he turn? Every pastor at…
In being asked to write a small piece for “The Pastor’s Spiritual Life,” my first thought was to outline the necessary disciplines that every pastor needs to do—read the Bible, meditate, pray, serve, and even fast. But most of this is self-evident, and books and even sermon series cover these topics. I had one idea of having another pastor preach to me through recorded sermons. But the more I thought about it, I felt lead to share about an experience this past year.
When God calls us into His service, He often calls us to a specific place. We call it our Jerusalem. How do we best go about reaching and ministering in our Jerusalem? Do we just put up a sign and expect that people will come to us when they have a need?
A critical matter in ministering to your community is understanding the local culture and customs. When one pastor from the South began a new ministry in the northern part of Minnesota, he required all of the men to wear suits when they ushered or sang in the choir. Most of the men did not even own suits.
As the director of Project Jerusalem, I’d like to share what God has been teaching us about reaching our Jerusalem. It is our conviction that effective outreach ideas discovered on the front lines of new church planting can be fruitfully applied to older, established congregations as well.
As I look around my neighborhood, I see a variety of things. I see economically burdened people, physically stricken individuals, broken relationships, hurting children, hatred among friends, destroyed families. But the thing that I see the most is people who have not heard the good news of the gospel.
Among other requirements for the local church, evangelism, worship, edification, and fellowship are among the main priorities. Each area brings different challenges and blessings as they meld into the whole of ministry. Focusing on one of those areas, music has brought challenges and joys that have been important in our ministry to those who are in our Jerusalem.
Is Earth young or old? This question can’t be avoided in the subject of origins, and Coming to Grips with Genesis is most welcome to the discussion.
RICHARD TEACHOUT EBPA, 100 Pages, Paper, $5.00 suggested donation In both an article and a book review, the last issue of the Baptist Bulletin addressed the subject of the believer’s…