Archived Episodes

How should the church engage a culture marred by effects of gun violence? A Philadelphia pastor says pray, study the culture around you and engage it with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark Morton was a sergeant with the Reno Police Department when he was called in 2005 out of the congregation to be the pastor of Granite Hills Church in Reno, Nevada. And, do you want to create a healthy culture in your church, organization or home? An article in the Baptist Press Toolbox looks to the culture Christ created as He led his disciples.

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a First Amendment victory Friday (June 30) to a Christian designer who objects to creating custom websites for same-sex weddings. The first time she retired, in 2002, Dr. Rebekah Naylor, a longtime missionary surgeon, came home to Texas after 35 years in India to care for her mother, who was ailing. And, Kentucky Baptist leader Todd Gray believers there are certain things every leader must do. In a piece on Baptist Press, he says leaders must solve problems.

A group of missionaries are meeting in Central Asia this summer looking for specific opportunities to share their faith. Scripture records women’s work in the Old and New Testaments, detailing the work of midwives, prophetesses, warriors, a judge, teachers, mothers and others. And, Pastor Conner Smith writes about being missional.

Much of the nation is moving at a slower pace today as Americans celebrate the nation’s Independence Day with get-together and cookouts. With artificial intelligence becoming an increasingly hot-button issue and other technologies being developed at a rapid rate, representatives from the 2023 SBC Committee on Resolutions hope the resolution “On Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies,” will serve as a “timely” statement on the topic. And, on May 19, 1967, the plane of Eugene “Red” McDaniel, Mike’s father, had been shot down over Vietnam. For 1,024 days, McDaniel’s family waited for news. Not knowing yet if he was dead or alive in a North Vietnamese prison, they hoped and prayed for good news.

Rob Collingsworth says a resolution on the topic of gender transitions approaches the issue in a way that “balances grace and truth.” As we approach the July 4 holiday, Kie Bowman has posted an article offering suggestions on way to pray for America. And, while celebrating freedom is important, praying for our country should be a priority for American according to retired U.S. Army Major General Doug Carver.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously clarified Thursday (June 29) an almost 50-year-old decision in a way that strengthens the right of employees to practice their religious beliefs without penalty. The Sunday before the fourth of July marks a day many churches focus on and pray for religious liberty. It’s one of the foundational liberties shared by Americans. And, amid a contentious U.S. immigration crisis, messengers to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting resolved to biblically care for immigrants while urging just and compassionate governmental treatment.

A leading public policy group is encouraging believers to continue protecting religious liberty despite attempts to push the Equality Act through Congress. The reality of both internal and external struggles for church leaders served as the impetus for a committee-generated resolution affirming and seeking to improve the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional well-being of pastors and other ministry leaders. And, in many churches, generation gaps are still wide. In a piece on Baptist Press, Chuck Lawless offers practical ways to close those gaps by guiding the generations to get to know each other.

When Richard found out his girlfriend, Jasmine, was pregnant, he was nervous — he’d been a husband and a dad before, and he didn’t feel like he’d done very well. In an episode of America’s Got Talent (AGT) airing June 27, Lachune Boyd, a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Master of Music student with a concentration in voice will be featured as one of the people auditioning. And, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the U-S. Some have called it a cross between tennis and ping pong. A Kentucky church…and many others…are finding that pickleball creates opportunities for friends and families to get together to talk and even share about their love for Jesus.

Relief workers continue to provide aid to those fleeing persecution in Sudan. SendRelief reports hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have fled across Northern Africa due to the persecution and military conflict rocking the region. A group of female SBC leaders recently shared how they live out their calling to follow Christ and make disciples. The panel discussion took place during the recent SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. And, in a piece in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Jamie Erickson writes, “Jesus’ earthly responsibilities included many things: teaching, healing, modeling, discipling. But all these different mantles of ministry had one aim: to draw people toward growth—toward an abundant life in Him.