July 29, 2019 Illinois Baptist

religious FREEDOM

Gospel banned

Lakefront park rules called unconstitutional

Chicago | A law firm specializing in defending religious liberty says Chicago authorities are suppressing free speech in the city’s Millennium Park.

Mauck & Baker reported a Wheaton College student was sharing the gospel in March near Cloud Gate (a large stainless steel sculpture commonly known as “The Bean”), when a park authority said the student’s actions were against park rules and the individual was forced to leave.

Following the incident, specific provisions were added to the Millennium Park Rules that Mauck & Baker says are unconstitutional for several reasons. The firm detailed its argument in a press release on mauckbaker.com:

1. The rules divide the park into “rooms” and restrict speeches and handing out written communication to one corner of the 25-acre park.

NATE ADAMS

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Managing Editor - Meredith Flynn

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

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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Church needed here...

Location: Silvis

Focus: Hispanic residents

Characteristics: Silvis is a city of around 7,500 people, including more than 1,100 Hispanic residents. This community in the Quad Cities also hosts the John Deere Classic golf tournament every July.

Prayer needs: Pray for a church planter to reach the mostly Mexican population of Silvis. Pray for renewed vision for the Quad Cities and passion to reach out to the Hispanic population living in the area.

– IBSA Church Planting Team

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

Snapshots from the world of Illinois Baptists

The words of our mouths

Most Americans say the amount of hate speech and hate crime has changed over the past five years:

70 Increased Stayed the same Decreased Not sure

70% 22% 3% 5%

– Barna, July 2019

the cooperative program

Giving by IBSA churches as of 7/19/19 $3,272,242

Budget Goal: $3,338,462

Received to date in 2018: $3,196,740

2019 Goal: $6.3 Million

To protect and to serve

Some churches have business meetings every month. Some have them once a year. My home church has probably the most common practice, gathering once a quarter to hear reports and consider major actions not already approved in our annual budget and ministry plan.

An extra meeting at church every three months really isn’t that much to ask. Yet when our church’s most recent business meeting rolled around, it was on a stormy summer evening when I had a hundred other things to do. Knowing of no controversies or big decisions, I found it tempting to stay home. After all, a friend of mine once jokingly referred to church business meetings as the Baptist version of purgatory.

But my wife and I have committed to participating whenever we can, not just in our church’s ministries, but in our church’s business. The motto, “To Protect and to Serve,” used by many police departments, also describes our responsibilities as devoted, mature church members. We should both serve through our church, and also protect the integrity and resources of our church.

In recent days, I have seen sad evidence of churches whose members did not guard their business well. In each case, an unscrupulous man used the role of pastor, not to guard and shepherd the flock, but to fleece it.

The pattern was generally the same each time. The churches were small and vulnerable, with few strong leaders. Often in a state of discouragement or desperation, they called men as pastors who promised a better future. Like too many churches, they also hired more with hope than with carefully researched background, references, and secondary references.

After a brief honeymoon period, these men began taking more and more control of finances, property, decision processes, and leadership selection. Anyone who questioned their authority was quickly marginalized, or accused of something, or asked to leave. Soon the small church was even smaller, left primarily with members who didn’t have the ability or the will to oppose. Then whatever finances or property the church possessed was gradually or quickly depleted, or outright taken, by the man the church had trusted to be their shepherd.

It’s often not until then that a handful of the remaining members realize what has happened to their church. They look around for church leaders to help, but most of those folks left shaking their heads when the so-called pastor began his abuses.

And it’s often then that one of the IBSA staff or I will receive a call. And yet, because each Baptist church is autonomous, members with standing in that church, operating within its approved governance and documents, are needed to challenge the abuse that is happening.

Fortunately, most churches do have a core of devoted, discerning leaders who detect this kind of abuse in its early stages, and who guard their church with spiritual courage, and with an understanding of its governance and legal protections. And when there is strong associational leadership in place, these church leaders also have a nearby and willing advocate.

These leaders know to place language, not only in the church’s bylaws but in the deed to its property, that stipulate what happens to the property if it ever ceases to be a Baptist church. They know to put appropriate financial controls and accountability in place that prevent any individual, or any small group, from having inappropriate access to funds. And they are willing to confront even the man who calls himself pastor, when he is brazenly and selfishly exploiting the church from within.

The overwhelming majority of churches I know are served by humble, loving, self-sacrificing pastors and leaders. But especially if your church is small or vulnerable, you may one day be the one called upon by your church not only to serve, but to protect.

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

NATE ADAMS

Church members are responsible to do both.

From the front: no free speech

Continued from page 1

“One of the reasons public parks are so inviting is because they are open outdoor spaces where anyone is welcome, people can gather, and thoughts and ideas can be freely exchanged,” the law firm countered. “Parks differ from other public buildings in that they are NOT sectioned off to exclude anyone who wishes to speak or listen freely.”

2. The rules stipulate that displays, speeches, or demonstrations on park property must be approved by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and park management.

Mauck & Baker says, “In this rule the Park authorities have taken away the quintessential aspects that make speech ‘free’ by adding stipulations that unnecessarily burden the speakers. By acting as gatekeepers, they apply their own bias to decide who gets to be heard.”

3. The rules prohibit any unspecified conduct that “interferes with or disrupts another visitor’s peaceful enjoyment of a performance or amenity in the park.”

“Irritation or annoyance of some opinionated minority is unavoidable in public

spaces and is never enough to prohibit someone from exercising their First Amendment rights,” said attorney John Mauck. “And given the size of Millennium Park, a few people speaking and handing out free literature with a 30-foot radius or moving radius disrupts very little. People can ignore the speaker, refuse the literature or walk away.”

The law firm has asked park officials to change the rules or remove wording that impedes free speech. If they’re unwilling, Mauck & Baker said, the firm will file a First Amendment rights claim in federal court.

– Mauck & Baker

State funds earmarked for abortions

Pritzker makes end run on federal pro-life order

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced July 18 that Illinois will not accept an estimated $2.4 million in federal funding, so that family planning clinics in the state can con tinue to offer abortion services.

New federal regulations now bar clinics that receive Title X funding from providing abortions and abortion referrals.

(Title X is a longstanding federal grant program dedicated to family planning and reproductive health care.) The guidelines also require medical clinics and abortion facilities to have separate finances and physical space.

Pritzker tweeted the Illinois Department of Public Health will provide funding for health care providers while the new rule remains in place. Illinois Republicans said the decision displayed the governor’s “unrivaled zeal for

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forced taxpayer funding of abortions.”

“This episode highlights exactly how extreme Illinois is in dealing with abortion,” the Illinois Republican Party said in a statement following Pritzker’s announcement. “Our state now allows abortion for almost any reason up until the moment of birth, and taxpayers who find this unconscionable must pay for the procedure.”

Last spring, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation making Illinois what Pritzker termed “the most progressive state in the nation for reproductive health care.” The Reproductive Health Act repeals several long-standing restrictions on abortion in Illinois and declares the choice to have an abortion a “fundamental right.”

– With reporting from Baptist Press

Illinois exodus continues

Census data shows Illinois lost 114,000 people to other states between July 2017 and July 2018, The Center Square reported this month. The exodus— about 313 a day— includes around 40 people who move north to Wisconsin. The news outlet said Illinois’ “outmigration crisis” is primarily due to residents ages 25-54 moving elsewhere to look for work. It was the state’s fifth straight year of population decline.

Chaplain casts out spirits

Two days after members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted to condemn as racist President Donald Trump’s tweets against four Congresswomen, Chaplain Patrick Conroy (right) prayed an exorcism-like prayer over the House chamber. “In Your most holy name, I now cast out all spirits of darkness from this chamber, spirits not from You,” Conroy prayed, later acknowledging what he had witnessed during the contentious vote inspired his prayer. “It felt like there was something going on beyond just political disagreement. The energy of the House was very off.”

SBU urged to clarify theology

A committee charged with assessing theology at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., reported this month that the school hasn’t clearly implemented its statement of faith. SBU President Eric Turner said his school is “currently working to clarify, boldly articulate, and implement our Statement of Faith that will further align and strengthen our Baptist identity and Christian faith.”

The theology review at the university, which is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, followed the firing of a professor who had expressed concern over some faculty members’ theological views.

– The Center Square, CNN, Baptist Press

Get breaking news in The Briefing online, posted every Tuesday at www.ib2news.org.

“Bean”

Millennium Park

RESTRICTED AREA – New guidelines at Chicago’s lakefront complex designate one corner for speeches and flyers.

At its first meeting July 22, the new Credentials Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention elected Stacy Bramlett of Tennessee to serve as chair.

The committee is charged with making inquiries and recommendations for action regarding sexual abuse, racism, or other issues that call a church’s relationship with the SBC into question. Bramlett is one of four women on the nine-member committee, whose areas of oversight Baptists voted to expand this summer at the SBC annual meeting in Birmingham.

Bramlett has served on the SBC Executive Committee since 2016, including two years as secretary.

She is senior vice president of Independent Bank in Collierville, Tenn., and a member of Collierville First Baptist Church, where she has served on the finance committee, personnel committee, building finance committee, worship team, and choir. She and her husband, Andy, teach an adult Bible fellowship class and a divorce recovery class.

“I am humbled at being selected,” Bramlett said, “and I am approaching the role with much prayer and total dependency on the leadership of the Holy Spirit.”

– From Baptist Press

Non ‘Southern’ Baptists get back-up

Ben Mandrell held a meeting with the employees at LifeWay last week, the first since he was elected by the LifeWay trustees to serve as CEO of Southern Baptists’ publishing entity. The meeting was invigorating, by all reports, as the Nashville team saw Mandrell’s passion for spreading the gospel and for advancing LifeWay’s mission in a mostly-digital era. Dressed in the jeans and plaid shirt common among church planters, and with his charming wife, Lynley, on stage with him, Mandrell said he had not sought the position, and only accepted when it was made clear to them both that God was leading in his nomination.

Whatever doubts outsiders to the selection process may have concerning the visionary large-church planter’s lack of publishing experience may have been assuaged by his assessment of the issues facing LifeWay—and especially in relation to these challenging times in our culture.

For us Southern Baptists ministering outside the deep South, Mandrell’s apparent understanding that what still works in the Bible Belt doesn’t work as well in the Midwest any longer is encouraging. As a native of Tampico, Illinois (“I will always have a heart for Illinois people!

Those are my people,” he told this newspaper in June), his Midwestern background will well inform key decisions leading what was once the Baptist Sunday School Board. Successful ministry as a church planter in Colorado will illuminate further advancement of the gospel in places that are gospel-ignorant and even gospel-averse.

The whole of American culture is moving that way, even in the South. People like Jeff Iorg, from his outpost as a seminary president in San Francisco and now in Los Angeles, have warned us for years that what becomes legal and acceptable in the West (and we would add, the Northeast) is a nascent wave that will sweep the rest of the nation. Certainly we are seeing that in Illinois, with much redoubtable legislation shaking the moral ground beneath our feet.

Perhaps Mandrell can join Iorg and others in sharpening the skills needed by Baptists— Southerners, Midwesterners, and all—to uphold Christ and advance his gospel in an increasingly dystopian world. “Lord,” Mandrell prayed at that team meeting, “give us a servant’s heart and help us to be willing to do whatever we need to do to make LifeWay what it needs to be.”

To that we would say, Amen.

– Eric Reed

BRAMLETT

Small gifts, great work

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 2019. 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.

After nine years serving in Czech Republic with the International Mission Board, Mike Young and his family relocated to Illinois, where he manages Streator Baptist Camp.

“When I think about people who give to missions through the Cooperative Program, it’s humbling,” he says, “because the gifts are not giant gifts, they’re small gifts that come together and allow great work to take place.”

– Mike Young, manager, Streator Baptist Camp

Streator Baptist Camp

goes to support missions and ministry in North America and around the world.

56.5% plants and strengthens churches in Illinois, and equips Baptists for missions, evangelism, and discipleship.

CP also supports ministry at IBSA’s Streator and Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camps.

“This tool that God has given to Illinois brings children and teenagers and adults and families to this location where people can hear about Christ. That’s why we’re in the camping business.”

– Mark Emerson, IBSA associate executive director

Global reach

Together, Southern Baptists will give around through the Cooperative Program this year, supporting:

Top 100 Illinois churches in Cooperative Program support through the second quarter of 2019

Top 100 Illinois churches in per capita CP support through the second quarter of 2019

Tinley Park First, Tinley Park 73.40

Golf Road, Des Plaines 71.07

Eastview, Belleville 69.75

Harvest Church of Southern IL, Anna 69.68

Freedom, Noble 68.12

Tallula, Tallula 67.88

Delafield, Mc Leansboro 67.86

Clarksville, Marshall 67.65

Calvary, Edwardsville 67.27

Mt Zion, Piasa 67.11

Maryville First, Maryville 67.01

Salem First, Salem 66.72

The Lord’s Church, Naperville 66.67

Calvary, Monticello 66.37

Island City, Wilmington 65.63

Prairie Du Rocher First 65.14

Casey First, Casey 64.50

Liberty, Harrisburg 64.45

Beaucoup, Pinckneyville 64.43

Fairview Heights First, Fairview Heights

Meadowridge, Zion

Bethel SBC,

Peniel Multi-Ethnic, Chicago

Flat Rock First Missionary, Flat Rock 63.12

Blooming Grove, Mc Leansboro 62.40

Cutler First, Cutler 61.95

Logan Street, Mount Vernon 61.72

Mt Zion First, Mt Zion 60.63

Tabernacle, Decatur 60.59

Bethel, Vandalia 60.49

“We are very thankful for the Cooperative Program because it allows us the opportunity to see God working in people’s lives.”

people

Welcome

Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur has called Carlton Binkley as senior pastor. Originally from Kentucky, Bin kley served churches there for 15 years until relocating to First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Ill., where he has pastored since 2013. He is a graduate of Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jenny, have four children.

Jimmy Hammond is the new associate pastor of family ministry at Living Faith Baptist Church in Sherman. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Hammond previously pastored Grace Southern Baptist Church in Virden and also serves as an IBSA consultant for student ministry. He and his wife, Andrea, have four children.

Celebrating anniversaries

Churches mark milestones this summer

With the Lord

Mary Lou Cameron, of Carbondale, died July 15 at the age of 99. She and her husband, Harold, spent 29 years starting churches in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Harold also served as IBSA’s state missions director. Mary Lou was active in Woman’s Missionary Union for 66 years. She is survived by a son; two grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.

George Goeddey, of Carrollton, died July 3 at the age of 77. A former member of the Illinois National Guard and supervisor for the U.S. Department of Labor, he served in Disaster Relief for 25 years and also volunteered at the retreat center operated by Sandy Creek Association. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; three children and stepchildren; and six grandchildren.

Hamrick earns doctorate

First Baptist Church, Altamont, and Pastor Bill Weaver celebrated the church’s 80 years of ministry June 9 with festivities including a visit from three former pastors (from left): Phil Delorme, Lowell Donnelley, and Ron Mulvaney

Charity Baptist Church in Carlinville celebrated 170 years on June 2 with a worship service, balloon release, food, games, and a concert by The Gibson Girls of Jerseyville, Ill. Charity is led by Pastor Justin Reynolds

Smith Grove Baptist Church in Greenville marked their 150th anniversary June 23 with a special anniversary service including a presentation by IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams. Matt Mendenhall pastors the Greenville church.

IBSA’s Steve Hamrick (pictured) graduated from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in June. Hamrick, IBSA’s director of worship and technology, earned a Doctor of Worship Studies from the school in Jacksonville, Fla. His doctoral dissertation was on “Teaching Revelation and Response to Worship Leaders Within the Illinois Baptist State Association.”

“The overarching concept of the paper is that we respond (through worship) to how God reveals himself through his Word,” Hamrick said. “In that larger idea, we find how acts of worship differ from authentic worship.

“We all need to learn how to connect our corporate worship experience to our personal worship response, which is obedience. This will revitalize what happens in corporate worship.”

Hamrick has served at IBSA since 2007. He previously was minister of music at Heartland Baptist Church in Alton. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and five grandchildren.

CLASSIFIED AD

Illinois Family Institute is looking to hire a winsome and articulate Christian from central Illinois to lobby at the Capitol in Springfield for pro-life/pro-family values. Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter and resume to s.david@illinoisfamily.org.

Nominations needed for boards, committees

Marshall Baptist Church celebrated 75 years June 30. IBSA’s Nate Adams (left) presented the church and Pastor Paul Cooper (right) with a plaque of appreciation.

The Nominations Committee will soon draft a slate of candidates for at least 30 elected positions in IBSA leadership. In addition to IBSA’s six committees, the Nominating Committee will recommend people to serve on the Association’s three boards: IBSA, the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI), and Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS). Please pray about those you would recommend for service. Find nominating instructions and a link to submit nominations at IBSA.org/nominations.

RESOURCE

What’s hampering your recruiting?

More people will volunteer if you recognize the obstacles

More than 10 million people volunteer in only seven organizations: Special Olympics, Salvation Army, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, American Red Cross, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. And yet there are hundreds of volunteer organizations. The reason those few organizations have the lion’s share of volunteers is because they offer a compelling vision. They move the hearts of people to serve.

The church has the greatest message ever told and the greatest mission to humanity. The church needs to do a better job communicating the vision so volunteers can understand their impact when God uses them to change a life for the kingdom. If the church is able to cast a compelling vision of the incredible opportunity God gives his followers to make an eternal difference in the life of another person, then more people will volunteer to serve.

God gave the church his own mission to go out and reach lost people with the gospel, baptizing them, teaching them, and sending them out as disciples. God gives us the opportunity to be part of his kingdom purpose.

What is great about this mandate is that God gives each of us special gifts to accomplish it. He describes his people with these unique gifts as part of the body. He hasn’t called all of us to be the head or the arm. Instead he illustrates how the parts working together as a body can accomplish incredible things, but every member must bring his own unique gifts to the enterprise.

Overcoming the barriers

The Unstuck Group conducted a survey on volunteerism in the church. They reported 46% of adults and students serve in their church at least once per month. At the high end of the report, churches reported 70% engagement, and the lowest reported was 20% engagement.

Whatever the percentages, every church could use more workers. A ministry leader is always in need of them, but sometimes good volunteers can be hard to find. We may sometimes blame the commitment level of our congregation. We ask ourselves, “Why don’t more people step up and

The Learning curve

Biblical Femininity

Chrystie Cole

A must-read for women who struggle with embracing their individuality and uniqueness as women created in the image of God.

– Jill Finley, ministries coordinator and director of Bethel Women, Bethel Baptist Church, Troy

serve?” But a better question is, “What’s preventing people in our church from engaging in service?”

Rather than bemoan the lack of volunteers, many churches could benefit from this simple exercise— identify the barriers to service, and do something about them. In addition to vision, here are a few additional barriers: • Nobody’s tracking service. Without tracking participation, it’s hard to know if the church is making progress.

• The church has too many ministries. Sometimes the problem is not lack of workers, but too many slots. Cutting unneeded or outdated ministries will free up people to serve.

• The boarding process is unclear. In some churches, it’s just too hard to get into the system. Check the volunteering process for clear entry points and adequate training for specific ministries.

Remember, it’s not the lack of volunteers that keeps a church from being effective in ministry. It’s the barriers that keep would-be volunteers on the bench rather than in the work. When we present service as a spiritual growth opportunity, instead of a survival tactic for the church, we will see people step up. When we are engaging more volunteers, then we will know that people are growing in their walk with Christ.

Jeff Gonzalez is an experienced leader in business and ministry. He is a consultant with IBSA in the area of church health and growth.

This article is excerpted from the Fall issue of Resource magazine, which is available at Resource.IBSA.org

Subscriptions are free to IBSA church leaders. Write to Communications@ IBSA.org

Read Scripture App

I was a bit skeptical of “another reading plan,” but my family is using it…and the videos from The Bible Project are profoundly helpful!

– Michael Nave, pastor, Cornerstone Church, Marion

Pat’s Playbook

Ready for company?

Q

The carpet in our church is ugly. I know it’s a cliché that churches argue over the color of the carpet, but I wish mine would. Everyone ignores this mess beneath our feet to keep the peace.

A

The majority of guests make up their mind in eight minutes if they are coming back to a church they visit. How they are greeted, the condition of the building, the bathrooms, and even the carpet can all reveal to those who are looking for a church how important the place where you worship the Lord is to you! It might sound trivial, but the best thing a church can do is start looking at their building in the same way a guest sees it. Clean, paint, repair, and replace if necessary!

In Christ alone

QSome newer churches seem built on a particular angle of theology. What can a well-established Baptist church that doesn’t focus so publicly on a doctrine say is the thing that holds it together?

AThe answer is found in Matthew 16:18: The church is built by and holds together in Christ alone! The word “theology” is actually a compound Greek word of theos, meaning God, and logos, meaning Word (from which we get the English word “study”). So, theology is simply the study of God. A wellestablished Baptist church should focus publicly on doctrine, which is instruction, teaching, and learning. Doctrine is the teaching of Scripture, and that is the basis for our beliefs.

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

New City Catechism

Devotional

This has been really helpful for my family to do discipleship that is grounded in sound doctrine, but simple enough that my kids fully understand the truths being presented.

– David Seaton, pastor, Collinsville Community Church

PAT PAJAK

GONZALEZ

devotional

The witness of weeds

Read: Matthew 6:11-12 (ESV)

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

It’s summertime and everyone is looking forward to hot weather, cook outs, and a host of other fun outdoor activities. But one thing no one is looking forward to doing this summer is pulling weeds.

Three years ago, my job title was changed from adult education pastor to discipleship pastor. I was happy. Discipleship is a trendy term, but no one quite knows how to define discipleship. I realized this a couple months ago at an education conference put on by LifeWay. The presenter made the off-hand comment that discipleship seems to be the fad in evangelicalism. He had my attention.

programs to foster maturity. Most pastors would say that the sermon, serving in the church, and going on mission trips are vital parts of the process. In some church cultures, discipleship may focus on spiritual disciplines coupled with some degree of intentional accountability. Again, the focus is on “me.”

The presenter explained that there have been several church growth models over the last 50 years, and he thinks discipleship is the current trend. Yet, he lamented, everyone has a different take on discipleship. He then produced a two-page handout offering his own definition. This made me chuckle. Why is discipleship such a tricky term?

ADRON ROBINSON

My wife and I were just discussing the fact that we hate weeds. But whether we like them or not, weeds are a part of summer. We were in our backyard pulling weeds the other day and it reminded me of the persistent nature of sin. You can pull a weed, but if you don’t pull the root, it will soon return. And sin is the same way in our lives; if we don’t get to the root of it, it will soon return. And just like weeds, if you leave your sins unattended, they will soon multiply and take over your heart.

That’s why Jesus taught the disciples to pray for for giveness daily. Christians need daily forgiveness, because even Christians sin daily. We need to search our hearts and uproot sin on a daily basis in order to maintain fellowship with God. But if we are negligent and allow sin time to grow in our hearts, we will soon find our hearts growing cold to the things of God and cold toward the love of God. The Lord knows that our hearts need daily maintenance.

So, the next time you’re out in the yard pulling weeds, take a moment to thank God for the witness of weeds. They remind us to cultivate our hearts daily and uproot sin at the source.

Prayer Prompt: Omniscient God, you knew I would need daily sanctification. Thank you for teaching me in the model prayer to cleanse my heart as often as I fill my stomach. Sanctify me, O Lord, that I may be an instrument suitable for your use. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Adron Robinson pastors Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills and is president of IBSA.

I once watched a ministry leader draw a pie chart depicting Sunday school. He then put discipleship as one-sixth of the pie alongside community, shepherding, evangelism, teaching, and service. Discipleship had been relegated to a narrow slice. If I were discipleship, I think I would be offended.

We wrestle with discipleship because it is a relatively new term that is, at best, tenable and, at worst, divisive. First coined over 150 years ago by a well-meaning church educator, the term has come to distinguish the “two wings of the plane” which give flight to evangelicalism. These two wings are evangelism and discipleship. Sadly, this has created a division within disciple making, and we have yet to recover from the schism.

It’s not about ‘me’

Fast forward a century or so, and attempts at wordsmithing are causing confusion. You may wonder if discipleship is a biblical term. Nope, it is not. Jesus made disciples and called us to make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, but “discipleship” is nowhere to be found in the New Testament. That’s just a little problematic when we seek to define discipleship in a consistent or biblical fashion.

Most church members will say they are involved in discipleship. After all, they participate in youth group, Bible study, women’s ministry, life group, or Sunday school. But this definition of discipleship is about personal growth or finding a niche within community. Reduced even simpler, discipleship is all about the participant. Discipleship at this level is designed to help “me” follow Jesus. If a pastor refers to discipleship, most likely he has the spiritual maturity of church members in mind, relying generally on

At the leadership level, discipleship and disciple making are often used interchangeably, but the terms have dramatically different focuses or applications. While discipleship focuses on the participant, disciple making focuses on reproducing others. As leaders, we need to decide if we are calling people to invest in themselves or replicate others. Words matter, especially when used by leaders.

So, is discipleship an evil term? No, not really, but it is unfortunate, because the term tends to not move beyond “me” and my walk with Jesus.

Discipleship places emphasis on the Great Commandment, me loving God and others, but misses the intentionality of the Great Commission, me making disciples. Ultimately discipleship is an unfortunate term because it fails to call people clearly to reproduce themselves in the lives of others.

While I doubt my title will change any time soon, as a leader who wants to communicate clearly, I have decided to call people to disciple making, which I believe carries a lot more weight. Disciple making begs the question, “Who or what am I reproducing?” I, for one, want to reproduce disciple makers.

While discipleship will continue to be a moving target, the term disciple making is biblical, offers a clearer vision, and is measured by reproducibility. Maybe we would save ourselves a lot of trouble if we focused less on the wings of the plane and more on the engine that makes the plane soar, disciple making.

Michael Kramer is discipleship pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. He recently completed a Ph.D. in leadership at Southern Seminary.

Why ‘discipleship’ is an unfortunate word

My job title says it’s what I do, but do I?

table talk

“We’re so committed to starting a youth ministry that we’ve agreed to fast and pray until God shows you how to fit it into your schedule.”

At the CAC, volunteer teams are needed to sort through donated items (July 31), pack backpacks and prep for the center’s yard sale (Aug. 1), distribute uniforms and backpacks (Aug. 2), and host the yard sale on Aug. 3.

Volunteers in Nine Mile Association will help churches with back-toschool outreach, prayer walking, and a flood recovery project. Participation is free; pre-register at IBSA.org/Spectacular to receive a Missions Spectacular T-shirt.

EVENTS

July 31, August 1-3

Missions Spectacular

What: Partner with the Christian Activity Center or churches in Nine Mile Association for ministry in their communities

Where: CAC, East St. Louis; Nine Mile Association Cost: Free Register: IBSA.org/Spectacular

August 9

Disaster Relief 101

What: Training for new and current volunteers in Disaster Relief basics

Where: Murdale Baptist Church, Carbondale

Cost: $40 for new volunteers; $10 for current Register: IBSA.org/DR

August 10

Worship Skills Conference

What: Training for worship leaders, vocalists, and instrumentalists

Where: Towerview Baptist Church, Belleville Cost: Free Register: IBSA.org/Worship

Trainings

August 13

What: Quality, free training in women’s and men’s ministry, worship, students, outreach, leadership development, safety, social media, and more Where: FBC Bethalto; 6-8:30 p.m. Register: IBSA.org/TrainingNight

August 24

What: Quality, free training in women’s and men’s ministry, special needs, family, music, safety, social media, and more Where: FBC Fairfield; 8-11:30 a.m. Register: IBSA.org/TrainingDay

August 29

iConnect: IBSA / Pastors Meet-Up

What: Introduction to IBSA staff, ministries, training, and opportunities, for pastors and church staff members Where: IBSA Building, Springfield Register: AubreyKrol@IBSA.org

September 8-15

Mission Illinois Offering & Week of Prayer

What: Annual emphasis on state missions and ministry Resources: MissionIllinois.org

September 16-17

Essentials in Women’s Discipleship

What: Training hosted by Illinois Baptist Women for new local church women’s ministry leaders Where: IBSA Building, Springfield Register: IBSA.org/WomensEvents

THE NEW REALITY

Exiting youth

Fewer young people in the SBC

A recent survey shows the percentage of young people who were in the Southern Baptist Convention at age 16 are still in the denomination as adults. In fact, the retention rate dropped almost 15 percentage points between 1984 and 2018, from 71.6% to 56.3%

The General Social Survey (GSS) measured religious affiliation at age 16 and again five years later at age 21. The retention rate stayed the same from 19841994, dropped slightly for 1995-2004, then turned more sharply downward, as more young people left the church.

“It’s likely that half the children being raised Southern Baptist today will not maintain that identity into adulthood.”

At the same time, the average age of SBC church members is rising, from 43.2 years in 1984 to 52.7 years in 2018. The gap between the average age of the population increased from about one year in 1984 to 5.4 years in 2018.

Reporter Burge calls that “a concerning future for Southern Baptists.” The exodus of young adults is one reason for the advancing average age. Another is the aging of white Americans who make up the majority of SBC churches, compared to the rest of the younger and more diverse U.S. population.

“When older members make up a larger share of the movement, those losses only accelerate and therefore pressure mounts to continue adding new members at an ever-increasing pace.”

If there is a silver lining, the report says, it’s that the younger adults who do stick around are faithful attenders, with 51.7% of those 18-35 in worship each week, compared to 42.5% of those 35-44. Senior adults (65+) are the most regular attenders at 56%

– Christianity Today

Courses include leading worship with guitar, best practices in sound mixing, how to increase congregational singing, and many more.

– Reporter Ryan P. Burge

iConnect is a perfect event for pastors and staff new to Illinois, serving in a new ministry, or who want to get better connected with fellow Baptists in Illinois. Come away with a better understanding of who we are, what we do, and how we are committed to working together.