July 24, 2017 Illinois Baptist

My flying lesson

Who knew it would be so brief—or inspiring!

Nate

Small churches can grow New study shows factors that attract and keep new members

Wheaton | Attracting and keeping people considered unchurched is rated as the top predictor of growth through new professions of faith at small churches, according to a new study encompassing 12 Christian denominations including Southern Baptists.

“These churches are places of invitation, welcome, and involvement for the unchurched,” the study’s authors said. “So, the unchurched stick around in greater numbers. And they come to Christ and get committed to the church in greater numbers.”

The Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College conducted the newly released study in partnership with Lifeway Research of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Caskey Center for Church Excellence of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The telephone survey

P. 3

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

Snapshots from the world of Illinois Baptists

Morality declines as liberality rises

Americans express an increasingly liberal outlook on what is morally acceptable, as their views on 10 of 19 moral issues that Gallup measures are the most left-leaning or permissive they have been to date. On eight of the issues, acceptance is at an all-time high, including homosexuality, pornography, and polygamy. But at the same time, more people than ever are decrying the moral decline of the nation.

Is American morality getting better or worse?

Worse

77%

16% Better

7%

Americans’ opinions about moral acceptability of practices:

‘It’s time to fly!’

Boarding a small airplane recently, I immediately noticed the cheerful, positive demeanor of the lone flight attendant. It was early in the morning, and amidst the crowd of blearyeyed passengers shuffling onto the plane, she beamed like a ray of sunshine.

After welcoming us on board and making sure we were all buckled in and our carry-on luggage stowed, she proceeded to give us the prescribed safety instructions that anyone who has flown often could probably recite from memory. But instead of monotonously reading from a script about emergency exits and unlikely water landings, she delivered the entire speech from memory, yet with great personal warmth and conviction.

I was impressed, even inspired. But what I have not yet forgotten about this exceptional young lady are her spontaneous words after delivering that mandatory safety speech. She paused, and then with the most childlike wonder and enthusiasm you can imagine, she said, her eyes twinkling, “And now—it’s time to fly!”

Oh, I wish I could better convey in writing the way she bade us to the heavens with that one well-delivered phrase. As many times as she had undoubtedly endured the routines of stowing luggage, delivering safety speeches, and serving soft drinks and peanuts, she had not yet lost the wonder of getting to fly.

A few days later, I heard a comedian on a talk show describing his own recent experience on an airplane. As he awaited takeoff, he said he was contemplating the miracle that he would soon be sitting in a cylindrical tube 30,000 feet in the air, hurling through the atmosphere at 500 milesper-hour to arrive cross country in less than four hours, a trip that used to take early pioneers a lifetime. Just then the flight attendant announced that wireless internet would not be available on that flight, and the man sitting next to the comedian flew into a fit of profanity. How quickly, he observed, we turn miracles into entitlements, and entitlements into opportunities for criticism.

How quickly indeed.

– Gallup Poll (May 2017)

the cooperative program

Giving by IBSA churches as of 7/14/17

$3,189,436

Budget Goal: $3,392,308

Received to date in 2016: $3,199,765

2017 Goal: $6.3 Million

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner Sergent

Editorial Contributor - Meredith Flynn

Administrative Assistant - Leah Honnen

The general telephone number for IBSA is (217) 786-2600. For questions about subscriptions, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3119 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org

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The word “miracles,” of course, turned my thoughts to the many spiritual blessings that I too often take for granted, or consider entitlements. Every week, I gather freely with other believers and have fresh opportunity to celebrate the resurrected Lord Jesus and the transformational difference he has made and is still making in my life. Every week I sing, along with people I call brother and sister, the songs of our deliverance from sin, our new life purpose, and eternity in heaven. Every week, I hear from God’s word a new, relevant message that applies to me personally.

With all that being true, it seems that every week, every worship leader in every local church should stand and tell us, “And now—it’s time to fly!” Yet it may be more common for us to settle into familiar weekly routines and even rituals. It may be more common for us to take for granted the gathering for corporate worship, and consider it an entitlement. It may be more common for us to complain about what programs or services didn’t meet our standards, or what people disappointed us.

That cheerful, positive flight attendant reminded me that it only takes one sincerely excited and grateful worshiper to call other sleepy souls out of their routines and criticisms. One person who recaptures the wonder and miracle of the church assembling together in God’s presence can rekindle that wonder in others. This Sunday, I will not be a presumptuous passenger who feels entitled to the miracle of access to God that cost Jesus so much. This Sunday, my worship will say to any on board with me, “And now—it’s time to fly!”

Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.

NATE ADAMS

A cheerful flight attendant proved it only takes one person to call sleepy souls out of their routines and criticisms.

From

the Front: 10 factors in smaller church growth

Continued from page 1

of 1,500 pastors and church leaders found and ranked 29 predictors of growth through Christian conversion at churches of 250 members or less. Study authors released the top 10 growth predictors June 26.

Second to attracting and keeping the unchurched, small churches that grow by Christian conversions tend to offer classes for new attendees, the study found. Such classes help even when they are not evangelistic.

Third, small churches that grow through new baptisms are led by pastors who routinely undergo personal evangelism training.

“If the pastor is a learner and stays inspired and growing in the area of evangelism,” study authors said, “that pastor’s church will reach more people who commit to Christ and who stick.”

In response to declining baptisms in the U.S., Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines appointed a 19-member evangelism task force at the 2017 SBC annual meeting. The group of SBC seminary presidents and professors, pastors, and a state convention leader are expected to report its findings at the 2018 SBC annual meeting in Dallas.

Nearly 90% of Southern Baptist churches had weekly attendance of 250 or less as recently as 2013, and qualified for the “small church category.”

In the Wheaton study, the other top growth predictors among small churches are:

• The pastor more frequently “pops the question,” asking people to commit after he shares the gospel.

• The church spends a higher percentage of its budget on evangelism and missions.

• Church members often tell the pastor that they themselves are sharing the gospel with others, rather than relying on the pastor to carry the load alone. “The church does not need superstar pastors who share their faith while everybody in the church cheers them on from the sidelines,” study authors said.

• Unchurched visitors often communicate favorable feedback to pastors after weekly worship services.

• The church shares the gospel outside its walls and conducts community service.

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• Churches that grow through conversions concurrently tend to draw members from other congregations. “In other words,” study authors wrote, “transfer and conversion growth tend to go together for small churches.”

• Cited as the 10th most predictive factor of growth through new conversions, according to the study, “the pastor more frequently blocks out time in the calendar for the purpose of sharing the gospel with non-Christians. If the pastor is to lead evangelism in the church, the pastor must first personally live out the evangelism call.”

Smaller churches in the survey, those with 150 or fewer members, tended to grow more easily than the larger small churches in the survey, the study found. Additionally, predominantly Hispanic and Native American churches tended to fare better in growth.

Joining Southern Baptists in responding to the survey are members of the Assemblies of God, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, Converge Worldwide, the Evangelical Covenant Church, the Evangelical Free Church in America, The Foursquare Church, the Missionary Church, Vineyard US, and The Wesleyan Church.

Study authors include Ed Stetzer, executive director of Wheaton’s Billy Graham Center for Evangelism and former LifeWay Research executive director.

LifeWay Research plans to release a full report of the study at lifewayresearch.com.

– Diana Chandler, Baptist Press

Younger evangelicals approve gay marriage

Almost half of young, white evangelicals approve of same-sex marriage, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center. The increase, from 29% to 47% in just over a year, shows a dramatic shift.

The survey showed a majority of white evangelicals overall disapprove of gay marriage (59%), but the shift toward approval among those born after 1964 is changing the balance. Wide margins of Catholics (67%), white mainline Protestants (68%), and the religiously unaffiliated (85%) favor legal marriage for same-sex couples. Black Protestants oppose gay marriage 50% to 44%, according to Pew.

Among Americans overall, approval is at 62%.

Gay-friendly club costs Samford University

Samford University in Birmingham will no longer receive funds from the Alabama Baptist State Convention after 2017, a loss to the historically Baptist college of over $3 million from Alabama’s Cooperative Program budget. The school approved the decision after tensions arose over Samford Together, a proposed student organization that would facilitate discussion of topics related to human sexuality.

‘Message’ translator modifies LGBT stance

One day after saying he would perform a gay wedding if asked, the translator of “The Message” version of the Bible changed his mind. Presbyterian pastor Eugene Peterson says he has known several homosexual ministers over the years. “I wouldn’t have said this 20 years ago,” said Peterson, 84, “but now I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian and they seem to have as good a spiritual life as I do.” But Peterson later amended his statement about same-sex marriages, saying he felt put on the spot in a interview by Southern Baptist Jonathan Merritt for Religion News Service. The SBC’s LifeWay Christian Resources was reportedly considering whether to pull Peterson’s books from their shelves.

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New cases will test Court mettle and Administration promises

Missouri playground ruling favors church

Washington, D.C. | The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in a religious freedom case is not about government funding of the church’s mission, but it will have far-reaching results, a Capitol Hill audience was told June 29.

A discussion co-sponsored by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) explained the impact of a June 26 opinion by the high court and how Christians should respond to the debate over church-state relations.

It focused on the justices’ decision in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, a 7-2 opinion in which the justices ruled Missouri violated the free exercise of religion clause of the First Amendment by barring a church from participating in a government-run, playground-resurfacing program. The state had rejected the application of the Trinity Lutheran Church Learning Center from participation in the program—which provided safer playground surfaces—solely because of its affiliation with the church.

ERLC President Russell Moore said the case may leave some with the mistaken impression it does not apply to them or Christians want “the government financing the mission of the church.”

“This case isn’t about whether the government is going to intrude itself and its money into the mission of the church,” Moore told those gathered at the Rayburn House of Representatives Office Building. “What it’s about is whether the government is going to come in and say, ‘This is for all of you in the community, but if you are a religious person or group or organization, on the basis of that you cannot even come and have this conversation and be in this place.’”

Missouri and nearly 40 other states have what are known as Blaine amendments, provisions in their constitutions that restrict direct or indirect funding to churches and other religious organizations.

The justices ruled “those provisions can no longer be used to exclude religious organizations from any type of government benefit,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman, who argued on behalf of Trinity Lutheran before the Supreme Court.

“What’s great about this case is it will cut the legs out from those states using those type of amendments to say, ‘You’re otherwise qualified for this program, whatever that happens to be, but solely because of your religious status and who you are you can’t participate.’”

Baptist Press

NOT

(top,

religious

Summer is proving to be ‘freedom’ season

The presence of Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch on the U.S. Supreme Court is already being felt, after only three months on the bench, particularly as it relates to religious liberty cases. That’s encouraging for evangelicals who are trying to preserve the freedoms first sought by the Puritans who came to the new world to escape persecution because of their Christian faith.

“It is time to put a stop to the attacks on religion,” President Donald Trump told the Faith and Freedom Coalition in June. “We will end the discrimination against people of faith. Our government will once again celebrate and protect religious freedom.”

Trump has made religious freedom a key point of his platform, telling multiple audiences this summer, “In America, we don’t worship government, we worship God.” Whether he can keep his promises to evangelicals and others will be tested in the courts soon, as more liberty issues come before the bench.

Colorado wedding cake case heads to Supreme Court

ABC news reported, “Baker Jack Phillips is challenging a Colorado law that says he was wrong to have turned away a same-sex couple who wanted a cake to celebrate their 2012 wedding.” That case will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court this fall. Barronelle Stutzman, the Southern Baptist florist in Washington state who was sued and lost everything because she declined to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding ceremony, is appealing her case to the high court. Colorado and Washington are two of 22 states with such laws.

Kentucky schools develop Bible courses

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed a bill in late June that “allows local school boards the option of developing a class for students

to understand the role the Bible played in American history,” according to Fox News. The class, which is an elective, is opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union and atheist groups. A lawsuit is likely.

New York sues pro-life protesters

According to World magazine, “New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit in June against several pro-life sidewalk counselors, seeking to stop their activities and enact a 16-foot buffer zone around an abortion center.” World reported the suit claims protesters, “repeatedly harassed, threatened, and menaced patients, families, escorts, and clinic staff at the Choices Women’s Medical Center in Jamaica, Queens.”

Hawaii forces centers to discuss abortion

A new law in Hawaii forces pro-life pregnancy centers to inform patients that the state provides free abortions. If they don’t comply? The Christian Broadcasting Network reported, “The centers could face fines of up to $1,000 dollars for a repeated offense. There are currently five pro-life centers in the state.” The state of California already has such a law in place.

City seeks to block church

Right here in Illinois, the City of Chicago is trying to block the purchase of the building where the Immanuel Baptist Church has met since 2011. A zoning ordinance requires religious assemblies to have a certain number of parking spaces based on how many people they’re able to seat. Immanuel Church needs 19 spaces to comply with the ordinance, but the church utilizes street parking. Immanuel is arguing that the ordinance violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by requiring stricter standards of religious assemblies than for other organizations. The church is awaiting a decision by a federal judge which could come any day.

A PLAYGROUND – Panelists

right) discuss

liberty during a Capitol Hill conversation sponsored by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Alliance Defending Freedom. (BP photo)

–

CORTMAN

MOORE

– Lisa Misner Sergent

IN FOCUS A place of safety

Why security should be on every church’s radar

BY MORGAN JACKSON

The shooting deaths of nine people at a Wednesday night prayer meeting at a Charleston, South Carolina, church raises two thoughts almost simultaneously: How could that happen? and, That could never happen here. Until it does.

The tragic shooting death of Maryville pastor Fred Winters in 2011 is all the reminder people in Illinois need to understand that violent attacks do happen inside the church walls, even here. With that realization comes the challenge to be ready for the next time, perhaps in our own sanctuary.

The killings at Wedgwood may be the first such attack many people recall. Coming just five months after the 1999 Columbine school massacre, it seemed unthinkable that such evil had moved from school house to church house when a gun-

man murdered seven people during a Sunday night service at Fort Worth’s Wedgwood Baptist Church. Since then, violent attacks at church sites have increased 20-fold.

One-in-five attacks happens at a Baptist church, according to security expert Kevin Hardy “There is a threat against churches…We don’t know when something is coming, but we want to watch, we want to be prepared for when it does.”

Hardy led a conference on church security at Chatham Baptist Church in May. Over two days, church leaders from across Illinois received training from Strategos International, a Missouri-based company that teaches church personnel and lay leaders how to respond in stressful or crisis situations.

Rising violence in places once unthinkable causes church leaders to ask:

How ready are we for an intruder?

Who can serve on a security team?

What training do we need?

P.

Continued from page 5

Hardy cited several statistics showing the need for increased security:

• Between 1999-2016 there were 1,314 deadly force incidents in churches, resulting in 651 deaths.

• In a study where 750 of 950 total motives for church violence were identified, robbery was the reason for 25% of attacks.

• Over half of incidents of church violence occur in towns with populations less than 10,000.

“You see statistics like [these],” Hardy said, “yet you’ll still hear people say ‘we don’t need protection.’” And, he warned, attacks happen in churches of all sizes.

Create a culture of awareness

James Gentry is a pastor on the west side of Chicago. Serving in an area marked by criminal activity, Gentry is concerned for his church, but not only for those in troubled neighborhoods. “I think all churches need to take a stand for security and not brush it off,” the pastor of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church said. Many claim God will keep them safe, ignoring the need for security, he said. Yet, in the Bible, God used armies of men to fight for his will and purposes. “So we need to keep that same mindset even today. We still have to keep the flock [safe].”

His wife, Ericka, agreed. “I can see [church security] being an even more urgent need in the near future. So the more we know and implement now, the more we can learn and improve and be prepared for those things.”

Being prepared starts with creating a culture of awareness in the local church, Hardy said. “You develop a culture where people recognize when something just doesn’t look right, or when someone may be acting just a little out of sorts. It’s a mindset; it’s being actively aware of your surroundings and those around you.”

When a whole congregation is trained to recognize when something doesn’t seem right, there’s an

Rookies

increased chance that suspicious behavior will be reported and dealt with before it escalates.

“The idea is to pray for the best, but prepare for the worst,” said Hardy.

The role of volunteers

Not many churches have security teams—yet.

But Hardy advises training volunteers to serve. When dealing with an emergency, he said law enforcement officers are not the true first responders. Volunteers already on scene are. Hardy said he could only point to 9 or 10 times in the past decade when an act of church violence was resolved by an on duty police officer.

Considering this, it’s important that each church have a volunteer security team that is ready to respond to any possible threats, said Hardy. “We want to be able to function under pressure…knowing what to do, how to do it, [and] when to do it.” And that’s only possible through prior preparation and practice, he concluded.

One time of vulnerability is during and after the weekly offering collection. As the money is being gathered, Hardy advised having security team members stationed around the sanctuary. Then make sure at least two of those individuals escort the head usher to the counting room or keeping area until the collection is counted, secured, or transported to the bank.

Hardy suggested that in larger churches, when dealing with an especially big offering, it’s a good idea to even consider having security and armed transport take money to the bank. Or if you are part of a smaller congregation, designate this as a job for the security team.

Keep calm and carry on

Some people object to the way a security team would look to visitors. How can a team be equipped to protect the congregation, while still providing an atmosphere of comfort, refuge, worship, and learning?

Character traits for security team candidates

A consistent, daily Christian walk, as evidenced by testimony and fruit.

A calm and measured demeanor. Those who do not overreact to interpersonal or other situations that arise.

Humility. Look for a servant’s heart, moldable and teachable.

Discernment. They should exhibit keen insight and perception to the obscure.

They aren’t overeager to serve in this ministry. When dealing with security, this can be cause for concern.

Blameless background. Look for people with no criminal background or a questionable past.

Regular attenders. They are active in church life, and are likely to be on site.

“Historically, churches are not security-conscious; churches are image-conscious.” Therefore, he advises taking an informal approach, using nonuniformed security on Sunday mornings.

Hardy said he has attended churches with a uniformed team, and some even have local police officers keeping watch. This is a great deterrent outside the building. But inside, this can cause churchgoers to wonder why it’s necessary to have uniformed security at the church they’re visiting.

“You don’t want an armed officer sitting up by the podium or by the platform. Pastors don’t usually like that,” Hardy said. But ultimately, this is a personal decision to be discussed by church leadership, as every congregation has different needs and security concerns based on their church size and geographic location.

Jerry Weber, minister of education and administration at Chatham Baptist Church, said he thinks all churches should be following the basic guidelines presented in this training—look and observe, and if you see something, say something.

Some of this seems to be common sense, Weber said, “but it’s these things we need to train people how to do. We come to church and we focus on worship and Bible study and not really thinking, ‘OK, we need to focus on security as well.’”

But as Hardy reiterated several times throughout the conference, security should be on every church’s radar. “We often assume we’re going to have a safe worship environment.” And most of the time we do, he clarified. But we need to be prepared for the days that are the exception.

When planning for church security, the experts advise, “have a servant’s heart with a warrior’s mindset.”

Morgan Jackson is a freelance writer living in Bloomington. She is a member of Vale Church.

What does the Bible say?

Security is not only spiritual, say the trainers

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

– Matthew 10:16

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert.”

– Acts 20:28-31a

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him!”

– 1 Peter 5:8

“Blessed is the Lord my Rock. Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”

– Psalm 144:1

HARDY

WEBER

GENTRY

reporter’s notebook

SBC in rearview: 2 modest proposals

Irecall researching an article a few years back on the actions messengers took at certain conventions. Some years were marked by insightful and course-altering votes; others had no discernable effect. With the advantage of hindsight, we ask, What actions from the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention will have lasting impact on our denomination and the effectiveness of our work in the world?

The vote on alt-right racism will be remembered; and the appointment of a task force on evangelism has the potential to change our direction. But there was one motion that could produce even greater, meaningful change—if it makes it past the Executive Committee. And there’s a second that I want to suggest.

Modest proposal 1: Shall we merge the mission boards?

A couple of years ago, a messenger moved that a merger of the North American and International Mission Boards be studied. When his motion was ruled out of order for parliamentary reasons, the messenger pleaded that exploration of the issue not be delayed because of procedural rules. He cited the emerging financial crisis of the IMB and cuts in missionaries on the field that had just been announced as motivating factors. At the time, it was clear that NAMB had plenty of reserves, and a merger could fix the money crunch. But rules are rules, and the motion was dead.

Until this year.

A similar motion was made at the 2017 meeting in Phoenix. Here’s how Baptist Press reported it, in a list of motions that were referred to the Executive Committee:

“A motion by Harvey Brown of First Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., requesting the president appoint a study committee to con-

sider the feasibility of merging IMB and NAMB.”

There was no discussion this time around, or emotional pleading for the sake of missionaries on the field. And frankly, it seems some of steam has escaped on this topic.

IMB reported it is on firm financial footing. IMB President David Platt has weathered a couple of storms, and with the honeymoon over, he appears to be settling in for a long ministry focused on global missions. Platt still partners with NAMB, speaking at conferences about church planting in North America. But his heart beats for the peoples of the world.

And NAMB President Kevin Ezell has stopped making the offer, publically at least, for IMB to relocate from Richmond to Alpharetta. During Platt’s first year, Ezell said there was plenty of room at NAMB’s Georgia headquarters since his administrative staff had been radically downsized. Ezell still cheers for Platt’s presidency, but the pair aren’t making as many joint appearances. Maybe both have found their footing.

The question arises every decade or two: Is the distinction between

“home” missions and “foreign” missions outdated (just as those terms are)? Should missions today be focused more on people groups and languages than geography— including in the United States? As the “nations” (translating ethnos as “nations” or “peoples”) have come to North America, should missionaries here share the gospel with them in the same ways they would back in their home countries?

And this: Should state conventions (again) lead church planting in their states, as the missions personnel most familiar with the nearby mission field and with the partner churches who can facilitate evangelistic church planting ministry?

Will one mission board focused on people groups, and state conventions focused on their own neighborhoods better achieve the evangelization of the world and the U.S.?

I can’t say for certain, but it’s a good time to explore the issue. Modest proposal 2: Virtual messengers? In the next issue.

– Eric Reed

Observations about the 2017 Convention

Worthy causes

“Through the years Southern Baptists have understood that missions, evangelism, and stewardship go together. Each impacts the other and each depends on the other. So, no matter whose voice promotes these causes from the SBC platform, Southern Baptists respond because we believe in the causes promoted.”

– Bob Terry, editor, The Alabama Baptist

At the center

“The convention meeting in 2017 gave indication that the SBC may be beginning a move back toward missions and personal evangelism…A new task force to study how evangelism can be at the center of SBC life again is being formed. I am thankful for this.”

– Anthony L. Jordan, Executive DirectorTreasurer, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, The Baptist Messenger

Faithful proclamation

“I am thankful that we passed a resolution ‘On the Necessity of Penal Substitutionary Atonement’…. The conversation in Phoenix was about how we can better and more faithfully proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ rather than what other scriptural teachings we need to deny or what other accommodations we need to make to the culture.”

– Adam Blosser, pastor, Goshen Baptist Church, Spotsylvania, Va., SBC Voices

MISSION

Scenes from IBSA CAMPS 2017

Like VBS and mission trips, another enduring marker of the young disciple’s journey is summer camp. Attendance at IBSA camps is strong this season. Especially noteworthy is the 27% rise in camp participation following a year of facilities renovation at Streator Baptist Camp and the addition of two new weeks of student camps at Lake Sallateeska. Here is a small album from camps for kids and teens, student musicians, and rising leaders at four locations.

Rites of Summer: Camps

A week away from home can start the journey of a lifetime

Hannibal, Mo. | Summer camps bring to mind the outdoors, hayrides, bonfires, and new friends. But a honeymoon? For one couple serving on staff at Summer Worship University (SWU), that’s exactly what it is.

Gabe and Jenna Herbst were married June 24 and spent the first part of their honeymoon at Disneyworld and Gatlinburg. Then it was on to part 2. “We picked our wedding date around camp,” Jenna said. SWU week was July 11-15 followed by the All State Youth Choir tour.

Gabe grew up attending IBSA’s music camps for children and youth. Then he served three years as an intern before joining the SWU staff this year. He met Jenna while serving as an intern. “Gabe’s parents snuck me up here to see him and what he did,” Jenna said. “We would talk on the phone and I would hear the impact of the testimonies. It ignited a passion in me, I wanted to go.”

For his part, Gabe said the friendships he developed at camp led to relationships that have made an “impact by modeling how Christian men should live their lives.” Gabe served as youth director at First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, but the couple has moved to the Carterville area where he is now employed as a junior high school teacher.

Breaking out

Rich Barnett is pastor of University Baptist Church in Macomb, but during SWU and All State Tour he’s also the sound tech. Those who know him know he’s not shy, but Barnett says that wasn’t always the case.

“Music camp broke me out of my shell,” he said. “My first Sunday back I sang a special a church.” It came as a surprise to his parents who didn’t know he could sing. The camp director that year was the late Carl Shephard, IBSA director of music. “He was the first church leader that really paid attention to me,” said Barnett. “He really made a big impact on me. That same year Barnett made a commitment to ministry. “After high school I ran from God, but he dragged me back,” shared Barnett.

While in seminary he called then IBSA Director of Music Allen Mashbern to let him know that as a former All-Stater, he was going into ministry. “Allen said, ‘I still need a camp pastor.’” Barnett has served on camp staff ever since.

Pray for play

Michael Warren will be a high school senior in the fall. He is the grandson of retired pastor Tom Eggley and his wife, Esther. Michael attended music camp in sixth grade and hated every minute of it.

The children’s camp was cancelled that year, so a handful of sixth graders moved up to join the older students. “I was very scared,” he said. “I was not as outgoing then and always quiet.”

His assigned group formed a prayer circle and each person took a turn praying out loud. When his turn came, “I was silent. I’d never prayed out loud. Jonathan Hayashi (the leader) was outstanding, he prayed in my place.”

He was back at SWU two years later, becoming a member of the touring All State Choir the following year. “What really helped me was that I took classes that made me uncomfortable, like ‘Breaking Barriers’ about sharing your faith. I also got to know the seniors and developed camaraderie.”

Michael shared how he learned about the power of prayer while on tour. “We were in Arkansas doing a show for Alcoholics Anonymous members. One of our leaders said we really need to pray for this to be one of our best performances. And, it was!”

BARNETT

– Lisa Misner Sergent

Gabe and Jenna Herbst at SWU

Summer Worship University at Hannibal-LaGrange University

Percussion class at SWU, Hannibal-LaGrange University Super Summer for future leaders, Greenville College

So Shine Camp, Lake Sallateeska

So Shine Camp, Streator

Michael Warren at SWU

So Shine Camp, Streator

So Shine Camp, Streator

A cause worth living for

My (almost) sacred cow

The Cooperative Program ought not be a sacred cow, but it is close to one for me.

Begun by Southern Baptists nearly a century ago, it has proven to be a most effective and enduring way to support our collective ministry and mission work. I often visit with leaders of other evangelical denominations who are envious of the Cooperative Program. And they should be; there is nothing like it in American Protestantism.

I was reared in a Southern Baptist church, so I grew up with a general awareness of the Cooperative Program. But it was not until I sensed God’s call to ministry that I became fully aware—and fully appreciative—of the Cooperative Program.

As a seminary student, I was astounded by how affordable my seminary training was compared to other evangelical seminaries. While a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I learned more intimately how the Cooperative Program worked, felt how much it helped me, and saw it impact the world by providing for our missionaries. It was during this time that I became a true believer.

Then, as a pastor, the two churches I had the privilege of leading gave 14% and 10% of their undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program. When the first church grew exponentially, we flirted with cutting our CP giving to hire additional staff. But we held firm. The second church, conversely, had to trim its budget on a couple of occasions. Cutting CP would have been the easier way to balance the budget, but we held firm then as well. I had come to value the Cooperative Program enough that I advocated against cutting it. Thankfully, in both churches, the CP won out and we kept our giving at its high levels.

Now, as a seminary president, I lead an institution that benefits daily from the Cooperative Program. Without it, we would be forced to double tuition on our students. Such a move would plunge the enrollment and bring immediate and long-term financial hardship on our students. In the world of theological education, the six SBC seminaries stand as grand anomalies in size, support and overall strength. The Cooperative Program is essential to this vitality.

Tell the Cooperative Program story

Our six Southern Baptist Seminaries are training 16,000 future pastors and missionaries. Together they create in upcoming leaders a unity of vision, theology, and purpose, shoring up our denominational commitments to biblical integrity and Great Commission ministry. A small portion of every CP dollar supports their work. From campuses and classrooms, to online courses and extension centers, and even in state prisons, sound biblical education continues.

The SBC seminaries (in order of founding) are

• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (1859)

• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1908)

• New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana (1917)

• Gateway Seminary of the SBC (formerly Golden Gate) in Ontario, California (1944)

• Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina (1951)

• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri (1957)

Choose any Sunday to tell the story of Southern Baptist missions and theological education. Faithful giving makes it possible, as each Sunday, each person and each church give a percentage of their offering through the world’s most effective channel for missions support.

Cooperative Program each year.

56.5% supports evangelism and mission work in Illinois, from Cairo to Chicago and Belleville to Danville, starting new churches where they are needed, strengthening established ones, growing church leaders, and reaching our 8 million lost neighbors.

43.5% supports church planting in North America, international missions for unreached and unengaged people groups, theological education for the next generation, and Christ-centered cultural engagement.

“We neglect it, or minimize it, to our own peril,” Jason Allen said of the Cooperative Program. Allen is president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.

Though the Cooperative Program has been proving itself since 1925, we cannot take it for granted. We neglect it, or minimize it, to our own peril. Without a robust CP, our work as a whole will suffer. With a robust CP, our collective ministry and mission can more flourish. That is why we must work in our generation to strengthen the Cooperative Program.

– The article first appeared at JasonKAllen.com and was distributed by Baptist Press

Together Southern Baptists in all the states give almost $190 million to missions through the Cooperative Program each year.

1.65% Christian Ethics and Religious Liberty Ministries

Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

22.16% Theological Education Ministries Seminaries (21.92%) Library and Archives (.24%)

2.99% SBC Operating Budget

73.20% Missions Ministries

International Mission Board (50.41%)

North American Mission Board (22.79%)

Southern Baptist missions through the Cooperative Program

for

THE cooperative program • 2nd quarter report jan. 1 - June 30

This report includes contributions received by the Illinois Baptist State Association through the second quarter of 2017. For questions about this report, contact the IBSA Church Cooperation Team at (217) 391-3104, e-mail JeffDeasy@IBSA.org, or write to P.O. Box 19247, Springfield, IL 62794-9247.

Tweets from the field

Hundreds of current International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries sent Twitter-length reports to share with messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix. Here are a few short reports from the field, your CP offerings at work.

In one country, they’re training 25 mixed-background believers as church planters through an underground Bible school in a highly persecuted context.

Physical access to another country has become more difficult, but they’ve seen more than digital Bibles distributed and hundreds of Gospel conversations started inside that country over the last year.

250,000

In Eastern Europe, the Bible has now been translated and printed in the Udmurt language for the first time in history.

Tweets from the field

In Southeast Asia, they’re equipping a national couple who will go for two years this August to reach a diaspora people group of 500,000 migrants.

In one region known for having one of the highest concentrations of lostness in the world, they’re seeing churches start, grow, and multiply.

One missionary in Sub-Saharan Africa said, “I am seeing lost people come to the Lord every day. Many times I am discipling them from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.”

Two missionaries hiked over sand dunes to carry the gospel to remote Muslims. They were arrested. The government warned them not to go back. They kept going back, and now a church has been planted there with 17 baptized believers.

Top 100 Illinois churches in Cooperative Program support through the second quarter of 2017

Tweets from the field

Top 100 Illinois churches in per capita CP support through the second quarter of 2017

Lovington First, Lovington 62.42

Pankeyville, Harrisburg 62.03

Effingham First, Effingham 61.26

Meadowridge, Zion 60.36 Golf Road, Des Plaines 60.22

Mt

Steeleville 66.39

Cutler First, Cutler

Church of the Cross, Mahomet

47.68

Highland Avenue, Robinson 47.57

Richland Southern, East Peoria 47.47

One missionary shared the gospel with a man from South Asia. He put his faith in Jesus, was baptized, and then led 10 of his friends to Christ and started a discipleship group with them. Five weeks later, he died in a car accident, and now he’s with Jesus while his discipleship group is multiplying. One couple with kids said that after two and a half years in North Africa and the Middle East, their family has shared the gospel with more than in the people’s heart language, Arabic.

800 people

“Disciples are being made, churches are being planted, pastors are being trained, and missionaries are being sent from the nations to the nations,” IMB President David Platt said.

“And ultimately, God is being glorified among people and entire people groups who until now had never heard the name of Jesus.”

people

fresh ideas

Un-random acts

Have you noticed? “Doing good” is in style. It may be called “paying it forward” or community service. Businesses encourage employees to do it. Fundraisers, marathons and events support worthy causes. “Good deeds” may be trending, but doing good in Jesus’ name is ongoing. For Christians, there’s nothing “random” about acts of kindness.

Christians are called to do good with a purpose: to point others to Jesus and ultimately to share him with those who don’t know him. “[W]e are Christ’s ambassadors…. God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).

Summertime is a great time for your church or small group to get missional with the intention of sharing Jesus. Try some of these fresh ideas:

• Add monthly, quarterly, or ongoing mission projects to your small group or Sunday School class. Our class “adopted” a lowincome nursing home to send pen pal notes and do occasional hands-on projects.

• Add hands-on ministry to your women’s group meetings. We added an hour to the weekday classes and mission groups for ministry teams to serve our community. Attendance mushroomed.

• Plan a summer outreach project. (There’s still time!) For example, Olive Baptist in Pensacola, Fla., has a plan to knock on every door within a few blocks of the church to personally invite neighbors to worship.

So our “pay it forward” becomes “pay it upward” and our “random acts of kindness” are never random. They’re purposeful. A lost world outside our church doors needs to see and hear God’s plan for their lives. We must continually keep Christ as our goal in missions—for all people to know him and call him Lord.

Diana Davis is online at www. dianadavis.org. Her newest book, “Across the Street and Around the World” co-written with her daughter Autumn Wall (New Hope Publishers), is a resource for missions ideas for churches, small groups, and individuals.

Fisher scores in Bible Drill

Illinois’ Arielle Fisher, 16, was runnerup in the national Bible Drill competition in Brunswick, Georgia, June 16. Fisher and Keith Shedlebower, 14, of Eastview Baptist Church, Springfield, represented Illinois in the National Invitational Tournament for Bible Drill and Speakers.

Fisher, who earned third place last year, was national runner-up in the High School Bible Drill category this year for grades 10-12. She earned a perfect score, then received the second highest number of bonus points with a one-bonus point difference between her score and the national winner’s. Since she competed once in each category, Youth Bible Drill and High School Bible Drill, Fisher is unable to compete again nationally as a representative of Illinois. She is the daughter of Pastor Bennie and Erin Fisher and a sophomore at Williamsville High School.

Shedlebower competed in the Youth Bible Drill, for grades 7-9.

Illinoisan to compete for national title

Alicia Woodman of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville will compete for the title Ms. Wheelchair USA later this month. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Illinois for 2016-2017 in October. The reigning queen recently graduated from University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelor’s in communications and legal studies with a minor in marketing.

Seniors turn choir into mission

Alicia was born with spina bifida and has met the challenge of accessibility throughout her life. She hopes to raise awareness about accessibility from her state, and possibly national platform. Alicia is the daughter of Lisa and Cliff Woodman, the pastor of Emmanuel Church. She has served as VBS teacher, social media coordinator, and web designer for her home church.

Additional information about her term as Ms. Wheelchair Illinois USA is featured on Facebook.

The Senior Choir of First Baptist Church of Fairview Heights was on mission during the month of May. They performed four programs at three assisted living centers and at Sterling Baptist Church. Due to a sound system glitch at one performance, they sang a full program a cappella, something they had never ever done before. “Even though we are seniors (ages 60-89), God is not finished with us yet. I, the director, am 74 years old,” said Sharon Wood.

NeTworkiNg

Elm Street Baptist, Murphysboro seeks a part-time minister of music. Located eight miles north of SIU and under two hours from St. Louis and Paducah, Murphysboro is a charming community between cities. Send a cover letter and resume to: Music Minister Search, 1907 Elm Street, Murphysboro, IL, 62966 or e-mail kara.hobbs@outlook.com.

Crossville Missionary Baptist seeks a full-time pastor to provide leadership, vision, and growth through preaching, music, and outreach. This church resides in a town of almost 1,000 nestled near other towns ranging to about 5,000. Please send a cover letter, resume with references, and video (if available) to PO Box 417, Crossville, IL 62827.

Resurrection Baptist in Benton seeks a bi-vocational pastor with a heart for the church body. The candidate should possess the skills to grow a church of varied ages and backgrounds. Send resume to resurrectionconnection@gmail. com or 108 S. McLeansboro St., Benton, IL 62812.

DIANA DAVIS

WOODMAN

EVENTS

July 28-29

Cairo, IL Mission Trip

What: Engage the southern Illinois community with a back-to-school fair and mobile medical ministry

Cost: $50 per person; team members responsible for travel to and from site Info: Debbie Muller@IBSA.org

July 31-August 4

Illinois Changers

What: Missions experience for college students and adults with skills in carpentry, general contracting, building, or willingness to volunteer on a construction project

Where: Metro Peoria

Cost: $125 per person Register: IBSA.org/missions (click on “Judea” under “Choose your mission field”)

August 31

iConnect

What: Event for leaders who are new to Illinois, serving in a new ministry, or want to get better connected with IBSA and fellow Baptists in Illinois.

Where: IBSA Building, Springfield Register: BarbTroeger@IBSA.org

September 9

BCHFS Golf Scramble

What: Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services invites you to join them for the 20th Annual Southern Illinois Golf Scramble. Single shotgun at 1 p.m. with lunch served at noon. Where: Green Hills, Mt. Vernon Information: BCHFS.com

Illinois Changers

9/15-17 Streator Baptist Camp

9/22-24 Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp, Pinckneyville

What: An opportunity for Illinois Baptist students to gather with other teens from around our state to participate in short-term mission projects and vibrant worship experiences.

Register: IBSA.org/Students

September 16

Beth Moore Simulcast

What: You’re invited to join Beth and thousands of women worldwide as she shares truth to guide your own journey of faith. Start 8:30 a.m.; ends 3:15 p.m. Where: IBSA Building, Springfield Cost: $10 per person, includes lunch.

Register: IBSA.org/Women

TAKE ACTION:

Please Call Governor Bruce Rauner to VETO HB 40 & HB 1785

HB 40 removes all prohibitions on taxpayer-funded abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy under Medicaid and removes the ban from state employees’ insurance policies paying for abortions. Because a half million have been added to the Medicaid roll in the last 5 years, we could see 15,000 or more babies slaughtered with our tax dollars each year!

HB 1785 is a highly controversial proposal that would make it significantly easier for gender-dysphoric persons to obtain falsified birth certificates by changing the sex on their birth certificate, which is both a legal and historical document.

Please encourage Governor Rauner to VETO these bills: Springfield (217) 782-0244 Chicago (312) 814-2121

Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to disclaim responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it. For God, who knows all hearts, knows yours, and he knows you knew! And he will reward everyone according to his deeds.

—Proverbs 24:11-12 (Living Bible)

Discussing and negotiating

dave says

QI’ve accepted a promotion that would take me from an hourly wage to a salaried position. Do you have any advice for negotiating a salary?

AThe quick and simple answer to this question is you negotiate it based on what you’re worth to the company. Now, how do you figure that out?

There are a couple of measuring sticks you can use. One is associated with the revenue you bring in, and that’s a nice, concrete reference. Another thing you can do is research some of the more reputable career websites and develop a compensation study based on comparable positions in your area.

Honestly, most positions are priced initially at the amount you can be replaced for in the

new role. In other words, what’s the going rate for someone in your position?

I’d produce two or three well-researched compensation studies. Give them to your bosses, and talk it through with them. It’s not that you’re telling them what to do or presenting an ultimatum, you’re asking questions and presenting information.

Financial advisor Dave Ramsey is a prolific author and radio host.

708-781-9328

Bulletin Inserts are available! Email us at Contactus@illinoisfamily.org.

Celebrating 25

Since 1992

Years!

Upcoming Events!

illinoisfamily.org/ifi-events

September 30 | IFI Faith Forum with Ray Comfort

Medinah Baptist Church, Medinah, IL

We are pleased to have Ray Comfort for an event we have titled “Equipping the Saints: Abortion, Homosexuality, Atheism and YOU!” Ray is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters ministry and the best-selling author of more than 80 books, including “How to Know God Exists,” “The Defender’s Guide for Life’s Toughest Questions,” and “The Evidence Bible.” Ray may be best known for his award-winning documentary “180.”

October 5 | IFI Christian Heritage Forum with David Barton Decatur Conference Center, Decatur, IL

We are pleased to have David Barton headline this special event. He is a beloved Christian minister, conservative activist, and the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.

October 27 | IFI Faith, Family & Freedom Banquet

The Stonegate, Hoffman Estates, IL

This year we are excited to have Lt. Col Allen West keynote our annual fundraising event. During his 22-year career in the Army, he served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, receiving many honors including a Bronze Star. In 2010, West was elected as a member of the 112th Congress representing Florida’s 22nd District. He is a Fox News contributor and author of “Guardian of the Republic.”

DAVE RAMSEY

Swift to hear...

QA young woman on our praise team has started dressing like Taylor Swift. It’s just plain embarrassing. But, wouldn’t you know it, her mama’s the pianist. How can I address the situation without stirring up trouble?

AHave a meeting with praise team members: accompanists, choir, orchestra, and singers. Remind them (as a group) about proper platform deportment, dress, modesty, timeliness, and godly conduct. This will keep from pointing out any one person, but allows you to share standards that are expected. If those standards are violated later, you can approach a person one-on-one, reminding them of what was shared and insist that they follow the rules just as everyone else is expected to do.

Banned wagon

QA popular Bible teacher just left his evangelical church and joined the Eastern Orthodox church. Should I throw out his books?

AI have books by authors with whom I am not in full agreement, however they have some insights that I have found helpful. A pastor needs to be well read and wise about what he studies. Use trusted authors that embrace good theology, but don’t be afraid to venture outside the evangelical circle to discover what others are teaching. Knowing that may help you refute falsehood if you are asked about your position on some specific subjects.

Leave ‘em be

QOur biggest Bible study class simply refuses to divide and start a new group. What can we do?

ANOTHING! Let them remain as they are. Classes like you describe rarely grow because of their inward focus. Spend your time on classes that are willing to start new units. Celebrate their willingness, talk about it from the pulpit, promote the new classes in the bulletin. After a while the “big class” might just get the idea that’s what healthy classes are supposed to do. Until then, it’s not worth the struggle and will only cause hard feelings. As Matthew 10:16 says, “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Pat Pajak is IBSA’s associate executive director for evangelism. Send questions for Pat to IllinoisBaptist@ IBSA.org.

Church needed here...

Location: Peoria

Focus: Asian Indian residents

Characteristics: A group of Asian Indians have made Peoria their home. Most are mid-to-upper income makers and have strong ties to their country of origin. A large group lives just a block away from a Southern Baptist church.

Prayer needs: Pray for direction and leadership to reach out to these wonderful people who need Jesus. Pray for knowledge and understanding of their culture, and for people in the area to make this their ministry.

inspirations

pinterest.com/illinoisBaptist

Movin’ on up

Promotion Sunday is a great opportunity to get parents involved with their kids’ spiritual growth.

(1) Choose a Sunday for kids to move up to the next grade level. Some churches use the first Sunday after school starts. Others wait until the Sunday after Labor Day.

(2) Invite Mom and Dad to come to Sunday School. Jenn Day of Cross Timbers Church in metro Dallas says, “We include a family seating area and kids can decide if they want to sit with their friends or with their parents. This experience allows parents to experience what their kids will experience every Sunday.”

(3) Partner with parents. “When the kids go to small groups,” Day says, “we use this time to talk about our curriculum, supplemental resources, and policies/procedures we follow. It’s also an excellent time to talk about family devotions and regular follow-up on Sunday’s lessons.”

(4) Make it easy to find. Using a different color tape for each grade level, mark paths from the front door to the classrooms, recommends LifeWay’s Jeff Land. Ask teachers to wear their class’s designated color. “It was awesome!” Land says.

(5) Make it fun. Send “Do-nut forget to come to Sunday School” cards. Serve donuts. Or “promotion sundaes.”

– from Children’s Ministry Online and LifeWay.com

devotional

Repairing the breech

Read: 2 Kings 22-23

What should one do when it is discovered that everything one has been taught and grown up with dishonors God? This was the position in which King Josiah found himself. In the eighteenth year of his reign, the Book of God’s Law was discovered. Upon hearing God’s Word, Josiah humbly and remorsefully acknowledged Judah’s neglectful disregard of the law. That was step one.

Then the king summoned an assembly at the temple of the Lord where he read for them all the words of the Book of the Law. Josiah renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord, and the people recommitted themselves to the covenant as well.

KEVIN CARROTHERS

Josiah also responded with action by removing and burning the idols from the temple, destroying the images, altars, and sacred pillars of the false gods. He destroyed the golden calves of Jeroboam, rid Judah of the pagan worship of the heavenly bodies, and put an end to occult practices and other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem.

King Josiah reinstated the Passover celebration and it was unlike any that Israel had seen since before the time of the judges. Josiah sought the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength and led his people to do the same.

PRAYER PROMPT: Father, may we seek you with all our heart, soul, and strength. Help us put to death what belongs to the flesh, which is idolatry. Renew our minds and transform our lives so that we may be more like Christ.

Kevin Carrothers serves as director of missions for Salem South Baptist Association and is concluding his second one-year term as IBSA President.

– IBSA Church Planting Team

PAT PAJAK