Archived Episodes

The heads of North Carolina’s largest Protestant group and the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention have sent a joint letter to N.C. lawmakers encouraging them to override an impending gubernatorial veto of recently passed legislation that would ban most abortions in the state after 12 weeks of pregnancy; In separate California lawsuits, judges have ruled the California Department of Managed Health Care was wrong in forcing four churches from declining elective abortion coverage in their health insurance plans; Know someone who’s considering seminary? In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Pastor H.B. Charles offers four tips to remember when considering theological education.

More pastors are encouraging members to adopt and provide foster care at a time when adoptions have declined in the U.S Faithful Stones Church Pastor Mark Hamilton has observed three stages of grief in the neighborhood he serves surrounding Tops Market, the site of a racially charged mass shooting that killed 10 shoppers May 14 a year ago; The statistics on sexual abuse are staggering, and this should give pastors pause as they consider how to care for people who have been sinned against in this way.

Prayer changes the world, is the most powerful tool for change, and is critical in the spiritual life of pastors, prayer event leaders said in advance of the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans; In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Matthew Gilbert encourages people who work with children in the church.

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention (MWBC) signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief filed Monday (May 8) that urged the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago to rule parents have legal standing to contest the guidance of the Eau Claire (Wis.) Area School District; Lifeway Christian Resources and B&H Español were named Publisher of the Year by the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) at its annual awards ceremony held April 20, 2023, in Miami, Florida; For the second straight year, baptisms and giving increased among Southern Baptist congregations.

The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force had already been working toward producing a tool box for churches prior to its March 28 meeting; When Oklahoma Baptist University students returned to in-person classes this week, the stress of final exams couldn’t compare with the joy of simply being back on their campus, which was wrecked by a tornado in mid-April; What keeps believers from sharing their faith? Researcher and author Thom Rainer recently conducted a poll of believers.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) continues to do work on multiple fronts. According to Jason Yarbrough, state director for DR, relief work continues after wildfires and a series of tornadoes and severe storms in Oklahoma; Many Texans have a general understanding they live in one of the most diverse states in the nation. What they may be less aware of is how many Arabic-speaking Southern Baptist churches exist in the Lone Star State; Vacation Bible School is an enriching time when various volunteers from all parts of the church join together to plan and lead a special event with one theme in mind—sharing the gospel with children.

Trustees for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) celebrated a milestone of more than 10,000 churches planted by Southern Baptists since 2010 as 745 church plants were added in 2022; A lineup of speakers and guests on the Cooperative Program Stage will point attention toward what should be at the heart of all Southern Baptists The waiting seasons of life can be difficult. Oftentimes we become so hyper-focused on a specific desire that we miss God’s answers that are right in front of us.

“Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” is the 2023 NDOP theme, based on James 5:16; The upcoming expiration of a COVID-era immigration policy has communities and groups such as ministry centers bracing for a surge in migrants; In a First Person on Baptist Press, Kris Buckman offers tips to church when reports sexual abuse come to their attention.

The first-ever annual meeting of the Myanmar Baptist Churches USA fellowship is to take place Monday, June 12, in connection with the 2023 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention at the New Orleans Convention Center; A healthy deacon leads to a healthy deacon ministry, which is an important part of a healthy church; In a piece on BP Karl Clauson writes, Jesus was crystal clear – his church is a prevailing church