November 25, 2013 Illinois Baptist

response

Baptists aid after deadly tornadoes

By Meredith Flynn

Washington, Ill. | Joshua Monda stood just outside his church Sunday morning, watching a powerful tornado churn on the horizon a half-mile away He shot video with his cell phone before calling the few other church members standing outside to get inside Sirens sound just as the video ends

Twenty-four hours later, Monda stands in a WalMart parking lot in a part of Washington not blocked off by police and first responders Pastor Monda made it to First Baptist Church briefly that morning, but his office is on the move as he tries to meet immediate needs in the aftermath of an EF-4 tornado that flattened parts of Washington

Several other communities all over the state suffered fatalities and severe damage from tornadoes on November 17

Immediately after the tornado, Monda posted his cell phone number on Facebook for anyone needing assistance He has received calls from all

Continued on page 3

Springfield | The 107th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association brought messengers together Nov 13-14 under one theme with three pieces: Churches, Together, Advancing the Gospel

“Last year we introduced this as the ‘heart cry’ for our work together as churches,” IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams said “Illinois is our mission field The Illinois Baptist State Association is who we are, but ‘Mission Illinois’ describes what we must do!”

For two days at the Springfield Hilton, 455 registered messengers and 41 guests heard reports focused on the

business side of cooperation, and celebrated how God is drawing people to Himself through the planting of new churches across the state Messengers gathered just blocks away from where, one week earlier, Illinois lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage The challenge of being the church in the current culture was a topic for speakers at the IBSA Pastors’ Conference and the Annual Meeting, and the subject of a resolution messengers adopted unanimously “The value system is shifting so we look like the bad guys, the outlaws,

After the vote

By Lisa Sergent

Springfield | After the General Assembly voted to make Illinois the 15th state in the Union to allow same-sex marriages, many Christians asked themselves, “What do we do now?”

“We need to remember our own sinfulness as we deal with people who are struggling with sin and remember that our sin is why Christ died,” said Tim Sadler, IBSA director of evangelism

“So we approach other sinners with grace, with the message of hope ”

The action taken November 5 by the General Assembly created a new environment for Southern Baptists and their churches to minister in Illinois Some feel the rules have changed, but Sadler shared God has already paved the way for them “We stand on the precedent of thousands of years of history and the clear teaching of Scripture So while it is admirable and right to stand in disagreement with the law, it is not acceptable to be unkind or un-Christ-like toward anyone ”

He reminds Illinois Baptists, “Every person is created in the image of God and therefore has value Jesus, in His

BRIEFING the

News updates every Tuesday at www ib2news org

LifeWay sorry for stereotypes

The Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing arm apologized for the use of racial stereotypes in “Rickshaw Rally,” its 2003 Vacation Bible School curriculum “I agree with those who have helped us understand the offensive nature of that material,” said Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, in the video apology presented at the Mosaix conference in California “And I agree evangelical church and ministry leaders – particularly those of us who are white –need to commit to assuring, as best we can, these offenses stop ”

Rainer became LifeWay’s president in 2006

Baptists begin typhoon response

Baptist Global Response workers are assessing needs in areas hardest-hit by Typhoon Haiyan Tarps are needed on the island of Cebu, where 2,100 houses are uninhabitable Some villages are “100 percent lost,” said aid worker Hope Sabido

On the island of Leyte, which bore the worst of the storm, missionaries Carl and Suzie Miller (above) escaped to the top floor of their flooded home, where they waited out the typhoon on a floating mattress “I’ve heard of folks crying out to God, and that is what we did – [we were] crying out to God ”

Mind your manners, leaders say

Two Southern Baptist leaders on opposite sides of the Calvinism debate sat down this month to demonstrate good “table manners” to seminary students Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler and Mississippi pastor Eric Hankins engaged in a public discussion on Calvinism before students and faculty, modeling how people who disagree can still work together

“We have to learn the table manners of denominational life,” Mohler said “There is a certain etiquette and kindness that is required, just like in the family reunion ”

Pastors favor immigration reform

A new poll finds 58% of Protestant pastors favor immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for people who currently are in the U S illegally, but far fewer – only 15% – say their churches are hurt by the current system LifeWay Research says 51% of pastors believe immigration reform will help their church, denomination or movement reach Hispanic Americans

Coming to a theater near you: Jesus

The producers behind History Channel’s popular Bible miniseries are repackaging the Christ-focused parts of the story for a new feature film “Son of God” will be released February 28, 2014 by 20th Century Fox “This is a big story It deserves a big presentation,” Roma Downey told The Christian Post The star of “Touched by an Angel” produced “The Bible” with her husband, Mark Burnett, and also starred as Mary, the mother of Jesus

Messengers focus on new theme

Continued from page 1

the bigots We haven’t changed, the world keeps getting darker and darker,” said Gary Frost, the North American Mission Board’s Midwest vice president Frost challenged Illinois churches toward boldness, and clarity in presenting the Gospel.

“If I’m going to have surgery,” he said, referring to Jesus’ life-changing message, “please don’t use a butter knife Use a scalpel ”

Churches

“I’m proud to say that the churches in Illinois are alive and well ” Pat Pajak, IBSA’s associate executive director of church strengthening, presented one of three theme interpretations at the Annual Meeting

The state association welcomed 12 newly affiliating churches into fellowship at the Annual Meeting. The IBSA Credentials Committee also recommended the association disaffiliate with 22 churches that have been non-cooperating for nine or ten years

In his report, Adams told messengers that leader development is essential, and an opportunity previously thought closed may still be possible

The IBSA Board has authorized the study of development of a leadership center.

A 30-acre site including a 9,000 square foot house and a three-acre pond and gardens, located about one mile from the IBSA building in Springfield, is still on the market at a reduced price

“The IBSA board and I are diligently asking the Lord if He has been preparing this place for spiritual renewal for IBSA pastors and leaders,” Adams solicited input from attenders at a table in the exhibit hall The board is expected to make a decision early next year

IBSA’s Resolutions and Christian Life Committee brought five resolutions to messengers, each affirmed without discussion (See page 9 for more ) The highest profile issue tackled by the committee: the definition of marriage The resolution calls for the protection of religious conviction amid the changing cultural climate

“Messengers call on all courts, legislators, and elected officials to affirm the religious liberty of local congregations and faith-based organizations to operate in accordance with their theological principles,” reads the resolution, making specific reference to the performance of marriage ceremonies and wedding-related celebrations Churches are also urged to revisit their bylaws concerning use of their facilities

Odis

elected president of IBSA after serving two years as vice president Also pic-

(l-r): Melissa Carruthers, recording secretary, Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville; Kevin Carrothers, vice president, pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church; and Patty Hulskotter, assistant recording secretary, Living Faith Baptist Church in Sherman

Together

“We live in a culture that rewards ‘I’ and ‘me ’ In God’s plan, He rewards ‘we’ and ‘us’ doing things together ” IBSA’s Van Kicklighter introduced the Wednesday evening service focused on church planting by talking about cooperation

Adams announced the formation of a new relationship with Judson University Judson will offer a church planting certificate to students who partner with Southern Baptist church planters in Chicagoland IBSA will also team with the Elginbased university for “GO Week,” a student missions event next summer

est percentage of all 42 state conventions

The annual Ministers’ Relief Offering, collected during the Annual Meeting for pastors facing unanticipated transitions, received $1,865

Advancing the Gospel

Two Illinois pastors delivered fiery messages calling churches to engage lost people in their communities, and to work together to reach the urban areas of St Louis and Chicago

“God saves sinners with the preaching of the Gospel,” Jonathan Peters said in his final president’s message “Wouldn’t it make sense that we need Gospel-driven, Gospel-preaching churches across our state?”

Tim Lewis, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Troy, pleaded with churches during the annual sermon to reach out to those in need of the Gospel, remembering their own former lostness

(See page 7 for more )

NEW PARTNERS – Judson University president Gene Crume shared plans to work with IBSA on church planting projects in Chicagoland

Eight planters, some in-person and some on video, followed the cooperation theme as they described how their churches are the products of much prayer and partnership by their families, leadership teams and fellow Baptists

Messengers approved budgets from all three IBSA boards – the Illinois Baptist State Association, Baptist Foundation of Illinois, and Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services IBSA’s Cooperative Program goal for 2014 is $6 6 million, an increase of $100,000 Illinois sends 43 25% of CP gifts to the SBC for national and international missions, the fifth-high-

IBSA churches reported sending out more than 27,000 missions volunteers last year, a 34 5% increase over the previous year Relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy drew younger people in particular, pushing the numbers of volunteers up significantly “That’s something worth celebrating,” Adams said

And many more churches have accepted the challenge to reach their Acts 1:8 mission fields “I remember eight years ago before I came on staff, making a presentation on the Acts 1:8 challenge to about 20 IBSA churches,” Adams said during the meeting “Today, 249 churches have embraced the Acts 1:8 strategy ”

But there’s much work still left to do, said IBSA’s associate executive director of missions, Mark Emerson “There are 2 8 billion people in the 10/40 window alone that have not been reached with the Gospel ”

Weaver (third from the left), pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Plainfield, was

tured

Tornadoes

Continued from page 1

over the country from media wanting to talk, and people asking how they can help

That Sunday morning, Monda had just started his sermon when someone’s cell phone sounded a tornado warning He herded his congregation to the basement, where they waited out the storm It came as close as a quarter mile away, he said

The congregation stayed inside until the warning expired As they tried to get to their homes, Monda and another church member went to an area that sustained severe damage They ran up and down the street, helping who they could, and freeing a woman trapped under a wall

Monda’s voice breaks as he tells the story “Boy, all the emotion hits, you know?” He is tired, having spent much of the weekend before the storm in the hospital with his teenage daughter, who is fighting a severe infection not related to the tornado

“It’s the Lord,” Monda said “That’s the only answer I can’t do this on my own I don’t know, He gives you the strength ”

Disaster Relief response

A chainsaw team from Sullivan Southern Baptist Church was in Washington two days after the storm, and others are on standby to help as needs become more clear Disaster Relief vol-

unteers set up a feeding trailer at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, preparing more than 1,000 lunches and dinners for responders and residents in Washington

Volunteers also moved quickly into several other communities affected by the swath of severe weather that tore through the Midwest, doing its worst in Illinois Pekin and other Peoria-area communities reported damage, as did Diamond and Coal City, 100 miles to the northeast. In New Minden, seven miles north of Nashville, Ill , officials reported two storm-related deaths

In extreme southern Illinois, First Baptist Church in Metropolis served as a Red Cross shelter for families who lost their homes in tiny Brookport, where an EF-3 tornado killed three people Church members cooked 300 meals a day for victims and relief workers

“Disaster Relief has become a large part of our church’s ministry,” said Pastor Joe Buchanan This is the fourth disaster in five years during which the church has served as a shelter

Chainsaw teams also began working in the Brookport and New Minden areas last week “I am so grateful for our volunteers who have taken the time to prepare to respond during a disaster,” said Rex Alexander, IBSA’s Disaster Relief coordinator “When a disaster strikes there are many people with good hearts that want to help But we primarily rely on those who have been trained to help ”

It’s a powerful storm that can pick

up a house from one side of the street and drop it on the other That’s what happened on School Street on the outskirts of Washington

Residents began to pick up the pieces the next day As they packed clothing into their cars or sifted through debris for keepsakes, they talked about their neighbor who died during the storm – the only fatality confirmed here They also pointed out where the homes landed after being picked up by the tornado.

Place of refuge

Mary Boles stood outside her daughter ’s house as her son-in-law carried his family’s belongings to a van parked in the driveway He and his wife had gone to the store to pick up breakfast when the tornado wreaked havoc here Three of their children took cover in the basement

Morton and Pekin, nearby cities, have had storms like this “We’ve usually been missed here,” Boles said “This is our big hit ”

The neighbors on School Street showed signs of resilience the day after the storm, packing salvageable items into black plastic garbage bags, and rejoicing over a found Christmas decoration It’s likely adrenaline keeping them going, said Harold Booze, a Disaster Relief “blue cap,” or supervisor Booze is helping to coordinate the recovery effort in Washington, Pekin and Peoria

Monda hopes his church will be a place of refuge in the days to come, where people can come for food, water, counseling and prayer He asks for prayer for the families in his church who lost their homes And for others who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually after the storm

In his Sunday School lesson the morning of the tornado, the pastor

DAMAGE CONTROL –

Baptist Church in

lost part of its roof during a tornado in extreme southern Illinois Nearby FBC

prepared meals and served as a shelter and operations base

taught “humanitarian effort without the Gospel is simply humanitarian effort ” He didn’t know how quickly his lesson would be put to the test

He says, “Pray that we will best figure out how we can effectively minister to our community, but in so doing, show them what is most important, which is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior ”

To donate to Illinois Disaster Relief or find out about upcoming training opportunities, go to www IBSA org

Pray through the news

– Pray for responders helping pick up the pieces after the storm, and for all the families affected Ask God to comfort them Pray also churches in these communities will fearlessly share the Gospel and the love of Christ

YELLOW SHIRTS – Disaster Relief volunteers working at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria prepare 1,000 chili dinners for storm responders and victims The meals will be delivered by Red Cross ERV’s (Emergency Response Vehicles) to shelters and workers on scene Harold Booze (right), a “blue cap” supervisor, visits the Red Cross command center to coordinate efforts between the two organizations Peoria and Washington area photos by Meredith Flynn

First

Brookport

Metropolis

TAKING STOCK – Lisa Stewart of FBC Metropolis sorts cleaning supplies at the church on Monday, Nov 18 Downstate photos by Adam Testa/The Southern

MOBILE MINISTRY – Pastor Joshua Monda listens to a voice mail while he waits to get back into Washington, blocked off because of gas leaks

Our moral minority

n November 5 our Illinois state legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage, effective next June Much could be written about how and why that happened, and what its consequences will be for churches, in the culture, and within families Right now, however, none of those lamentations are as important as the need for individual churches to get prepared for the future under this new law

To begin with, churches that haven’t already done so need to review their bylaws and written policies to make sure they protect their beliefs and practices as much as possible At www IBSA org/ssm, you can find some recommended language, as well as other resources, and further information on the legislation that was just passed Churches would also be wise to clearly and intentionally communicate to their members the biblical reasons for their position on same-sex marriage During last week’s IBSA Annual Meeting, messengers unanimously approved a resolution concerning “The Preservation of Biblical Marriage and Affirmation of Religious Liberty o Churches and Faith-based Organ This resolution is also ava www IBSA org/ssm, and presen biblically supported rationale for o to same-sex marriage that can be teaching tool or handout for ch members

At the same time, churches also need to prepare themselves and their members to minister in a

ray through the news

Pray for the requests below and pass them along to your pastor or prayer leader to use as a guide for weekly prayer meeting, Sunday School classes or fellowship groups: – Tornado response across Illinois, page 3

Pray for churches as they navigate what the Illinois legislature’s decision on samesex marriage means for their ministries.

Prayer prompts are provided by Phil Miglioratti, IBSA’s prayer consultant Contact him at phil@missionamerica org

The ILLINOIS BAPTIST Staff

For questions about subscript ons, articles, or upcoming events, contact the Illinois Baptist at (217) 391-3110 or IllinoisBaptist@IBSA org

POSTMASTER: The Il inois Baptist is owned and published b weekly, Jan , March, May, July-Sept , Nov ; monthly in Feb , April, June, Oct and Dec , by the Illinois Baptist State Association, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Spr ngfield, Il inois 62703-4440 Subscript ons are free to I linois Bapt sts Subscribe online at IBSA org

culture where LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) citizens more openly assert themselves I’ve read several good articles on this recently that challenge churches to stand firmly on biblical conviction, but also to look for opportunities to reach people in this new environment, and to recognize the double standards that may unwittingly exist in the church related to other sinful behaviors

Like it or not, churches also need to recognize that in surveys, a majority of Americans now appear to have an accepting or at least apathetic attitude toward same-sex marriage and individual sexual expression That means that even professing Christians may disagree or have varying opinions on what the church’s posture should be toward the changing culture Nurturing a balanced, biblical unity in the church will mean equipping and encouraging members to neither condemn people, nor to condone sin

During this fall’s convocation at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary President Jeff Iorg, referring to the moral decline described in Romans 1:32, d, “Sexual sins are not the final step on this wnward spiral The last step of rejecting biblil morality is when people applaud or celebrate hose who legitimize immoral practices We

have reached that point in America ”

Iorg went on to refer to 1 Peter 4:1-11 and stated, “As a result of your unwillingness to affirm their choices, unbelievers will slander you I predict that today’s slander is a precursor to more serious social, legal and physical opposition coming in the next few years ”

Dr Iorg concluded his warning, however, with an exhortation to a loving Christian response: “Believers cannot become preoccupied with opposing immoral behavior; instead, they must realize that moral choices come from a person’s spiritual condition Unbelievers act like unbelievers While we uphold our moral convictions, expecting unbelievers to model Christian behavior is a misplaced hope

“Your first and best response to immorality in your community is to preach, teach, share, witness and live the Gospel The greatest need of every person in the world – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, adulterer, fornicator or straight-laced puritan is still the Gospel ”

After November 5, we as Bible believing Christians may feel like a moral minority But so did the early Christians, and most of the Old Testament prophets, and certainly Abraham when he pled for the city of Sodom Our shifting culture simply makes our own pursuit of holiness as believers more important, and our advancement of the Gospel here in Illinois more urgent

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

Yellow shirts are on the move

It’s a clear day in Springfield The storms have passed But in the third floor conference room of the IBSA Building, the effects of the tornadoband that killed six people in Illinois are real and present in the minds of those at the table. By this time on Monday morning, IBSA’s Rex Alexander has been working since just after the first storms touched down on Sunday, gathering reports from the Illinois Disaster Relief field teams on the scene, taking calls from across the nation with offers of help, and readying the response of Southern Baptists in Illinois

In the “situation room,” the leadership team shares news of churches and members affected by the tornadoes, discusses their emergency needs, and our actions Illinois Baptists are already headed to hard-hit communities In at least two churches, DR workers prepare meals – more than 2,000 a day And chainsaw teams from 13 associations are on standby for their assignments

The yellow shirts are on the move What many people don’t know is that Southern Baptists nationwide have 82,000 trained volunteers Our state conventions and associations have 1,550 mobile units for every need that arises after disaster, from childcare to showers to mobile kitchens, and more Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is the third largest relief agency, after the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army And a lot of people don’t know that

But they do know in the northeast U S , where our teams are present still in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and mission teams are planning return visits this summer

And they know in New Orleans, where mission teams from churches and colleges and Campers on Mission are still helping devastated residents muck out, tear down, and rebuild eight years after Hurricane Katrina A recent letter to the editor decried the fact that certain Catholic churches are still not repaired The Catholics should ask the Baptists to help, the writer said, because Baptists could get the job done

“You have changed the image of Southern Baptists in New Orleans,” SBC President and New Orleans pastor Fred Luter told Illinois Baptists during a visit here in April

And they know in South Dakota and Colorado, where Illinois teams served last month And they know in Moore, Oklahoma National news anchor (and Methodist) Harry Smith said at the time of the tornado there, “ if you’re waiting for the government, you’re going to be in for an awful long wait. The Baptist men, they’re going to get it done tomorrow ”

And they know in Peoria, where spring floods drove hundreds from their homes, and Illinois Baptists were there mudding out, feeding hungry people, and sharing Christ

And now they know in Washington and Brookport, and wherever help is needed

The yellow shirts are on the move

On state’s approval of same-sex marriage

“I’ve heard nothing today about the Scriptures The only thing I’ve heard is about human rights So I guess we’ve backed away from our heritage in this nation, which we seem to do quite regularly for the expediency of what we wish to do at the moment And ladies and gentlemen, that’s pride That’s a belief that you’re better than the very foundation which we find in the Scriptures.”

– Rep Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon), IL House floor debate

“This bill is the worst in the U S in protecting religious liberty It does not have the religious protections most of us agree should happen ”

– Rep Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), IL House floor debate

“We as Christians have allowed the government to take over what God had instituted Marriage was God's idea God's plan is one man and one woman Don't be surprised when the government decides to approve other ungodly unions ”

– Paul E Tiery on IBSA’s Facebook page

”Praying for our state ”

– David Lee Van Bebber on IBSA’s Facebook page

Our shifting culture makes our own pursuit of holiness more important, and our advancement of the Gospel more urgent

Nate Adams

Voices

Room in the lifeboat

By Luke Raczykowski

Have you ever witnessed an event so intense that it simply cannot be erased from your memory? I can think of a few such events from my past – some for better and some for worse – but none quite like the experience described by this quote:

“The partly filled lifeboat standing by about 100 yards away never came back Why on Earth they never came back is a mystery! How could any human being fail to heed those cries?”

Those words were spoken by Jack B Thayer, one of only 706 passengers who survived the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912 His quote is especially chilling when we recall there were a total of 2,223 souls on board Not only did the Titanic carry far too few lifeboats to accommodate all of its passengers, but most of the boats were not filled to capacity, and many were launched into the water far from full Worse still, eyewitness testimony reports only two of the 20 lifeboats returned to rescue people out of the water, and only six people not originally seated in a lifeboat were saved

Try if you can to picture the horrifying scene that took place after the Titanic disappeared into the dark ocean depths Imagine watching hundreds of people – some you know and dearly love – screaming for help as they float and flail and eventually freeze to death in the frigid water Yet, all the while, others sit safely in half-empty boats and make no effort to save them because everyone is

afraid of what might happen if they try

That is precisely what Jack B Thayer witnessed, and the experience of it left an indelible and haunting mark on his heart

But what about us? Do we hear the cries of the perishing? Are we heeding them? Of course, I speak here not about the cries of Titanic passengers drowning in the North Atlantic, but about the cries of people who are drowning in sin and despair because they have not accepted God’s free gift of life in Christ

At the IBSA Annual Meeting this month, we focused on how we churches in Illinois together can advance the Gospel That’s a powerful idea, working together so that more might know the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ

But it takes courage Will we be like those cowering lifeboat passengers who offer no aid? Or will those of us who have, by God’s grace, been safely seated in Christ’s lifeboat, return to the sea and reach out to those who are perishing? Will we tell them about Jesus so they might trust in Him and let Him lift them into His perfect salvation?

May we be the boat that has the courage and compassion to reach out for those who are drowning and lead them to the One who is mighty to save

Luke Raczykowski is pastor of First Baptist Church, Carmi, Ill This column is adapted from his church’s newsletter

Pastor Mike didn’t know if he should be encouraged by their interest in the “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” story, or discouraged that his elders had no clue what happened next

Pastors answer: Why do children of pastors often struggle in the development of their own faith?

Unrealistic expectations others place on them

Exposure to the negative aspects of the church Pastor is too busy for them

Faith is not modeled consistently at home Worldly influencers or peers

Self-discovery and free will, resulting in rebellion

Failure to make their faith their own

5 (biblical) reasons not to quit

By Joe McKeever

Think of this as a letter to anyone in the ministry who is so stressed out, discouraged, frustrated or even angry that they are considering jumping ship, throwing in the towel or any other metaphor that means quitting

Don't quit, friend

When you find yourself working in a place where God sent you and doing the work God gave you, everything else is secondary

The fact that the church keeps changing your job description and expecting more and more from you is just a fact of life

The fact that the personnel committee is making ever-increasing demands on you while curtailing the little support you were receiving is of concern, yes, but it's not determinative

When the people you look to most for support and encouragement turn against you, you are about to do your best work for the Lord

Don't blow this now, child of God

You are about to find out what God can do in impossible situations.

1 Anyone can serve the Lord

where ministry is what you expected, supporters are coming out of the woodwork, your supervisor is terrific, the pay is good, the benefits are adequate, and you are overwhelmed with appreciation (If you find that job, call me!)

2 Only truly God-called men and women of faith can take a licking –the kind only an unthinking pastor, staff member or church committee can dish out – and hand it to the Lord as an offering of righteousness, and then “rise up and re-enter the city”

(Acts 14:20) Go into work the next day as though nothing had changed, and through Christ, give it your best

3 The more your visible support disappears and the more harsh the circumstances in which you labor, the purer your service for the Lord becomes “When you do what is right and suffer for it and you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God” (1 Peter 2:20)

4 You are now going to learn whether you believe in Jesus Christ or not. You are now going to inherit the legacy of Paul and Silas who,

after being severely beaten and their wounds left untreated, were locked into the Philippian jail and abandoned, but who “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God”

(Acts 16:25) Paul and Silas did not worship God in those intolerable conditions because life was good or they felt like it They were demonstrating a faith that reflects an overwhelming confidence in Jesus Christ

5 The day will come when you will look back at this miserable period in your ministry as the best service you ever rendered Remember you heard it here, friend

Objections?

“I knew the world would treat us this way But I never expected it from God’s people ”

Okay, child of God Time to grow up It’s all through the Bible Go back to Luke 6:27-31 and see what the Lord told us to do to the very people who are making life so miserable for us: do good to them, bless them, pray for them and give to them.

Make that fourfold bit of instruc-

tion – do good, bless, pray, give –your plan of operation for whoever is coming down so hard on you Smile, get to work on time, give it your best, and do all these things in the power of the Lord and for His glory, just because He told you to do it!

Persecution and suffering come in all shapes and sizes and varieties, my friend Whether it fits the classic textbook definition or not is not your problem Your problem is what to do now

As always, make sure the Lord sent you there and that you are doing the work He gave you to do Once you settle that, go forward, even when the conditions seem intolerable

You are about to experience God in ways you never have before You can thank me in heaven

Joe McKeever is a cartoonist and columnist, pastor, and former director of missions for the New Orleans Baptist Association The full version of this column is available at www BPNews net

Churches consider next moves after same-sex marriage is legalized

Continued from page 1

earthly ministry, was around ‘sinners’ (Luke 15:1-2) He never mitigated nor compromised the Gospel He never condoned sin But the Scripture shows that He had compassion for the people who were broken, hurting, and lost ”

Legal ramifications

The new law does, however, raise legal questions about churches’ rights and religious freedoms

The language in SB10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, does not obligate clergy to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies if it violates their religious beliefs It also does not force churches to allow such ceremonies to be held on their premises, according to lawmakers who advocated its passage However, the law does not permit people or religious institutions to deny same-sex couples the opportunity to rent facilities for a same-sex marriage ceremony, if they are available for rent by the general public In order to be protected, those facilities must be available for rent by members only

Because of how the law is written, IBSA’s Sylvan Knobloch advises local churches to examine their constitution and bylaws, and policy manuals, to affirm their position on marriage and to state more clearly eligibility for use of their facilities

nois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

In addition, no conscience protections are given to faith-based hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, nursing homes and social service agencies

Spiritual ramifications

So, what are Christians to do? Sadler says it’s important to share the Gospel with all unbelievers, beginning with discussion of God

“God created a sinless world,” he noted “Man chose to disobey God and sin entered into the world; and as Paul teaches, death comes because of sin

Sadler takes a different approach “Our reason for advocating ‘biblical marriage’ is not because of tradition, because sometimes traditions are wrong, but because the Bible is never wrong ” Redefining marriage as the state of Illinois has done, separates the state from the church in an important way “Biblical marriage is a picture of the relationship that Christ has with His

church,” Sadler says “At this point the Bible is both descriptive of marriage between one man and one woman for life and prescriptive of marriage between one man and one woman for life In the one flesh relationship we can clearly see the relationship of Christ and His church – the bridegroom and the bride ”

“Scripture and doctrinal truths stated in the amendment underscore the conviction that God create men and women that they mutually complete one another in the marriage relationship The amendment identifies the SBC’s doctrinal position on marriage and declares the local church’s affirmation of the sanctity of marriage ”

In lawsuits in other states where same-sex marriage has been made legal, courts have held churches accountable for obeying their own constitutional standards IBSA has made available a sample church bylaw to assist churches with this issue at www IBSA org/ssm

While the law provides protections for clergy, it does not provide protections to individuals such as bakers, wedding photographers, florists and others who, based on their religious beliefs do not choose to provide services for same-sex marriage ceremonies The text of the bill does not provide such exemptions from the Illi-

“God, from eternity past, chose to send His only begotten Son to die a substitutionary death on the cross, taking upon Himself the sin of all humanity and bearing in His body the wrath of the Father toward sin And as John’s gospel attests, ‘But to all who did receive him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God’ (John 1:12-13)

“What a person believes about homosexuality does not affect where we should begin when sharing our faith Jesus died because the sentence of death was upon all humanity ”

Sadler also provides this advice to churches wondering how to respond when same-sex couples and their children begin attending worship services and children’s events “I can think of no better place on this earth than sitting under the preaching and teaching of the word of God,” he offered “Attendance? Absolutely. Leadership in the church? No ”

While many Christians say they are advocates of “traditional marriage,”

TAKING THE VOTE – Advocates packed the House gallery on Nov 5 before lawmakers voted, making Illinois the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage

LAST PROTEST – Conservative Christians rallied at the state Capitol Oct 23 hoping to prevent a House vote on same-sex marriage

Pray. Partner. Plant.

New commitment to evangelism through church planting

By Eric Reed

S p r i n g f i e l d | It was the altar call preachers dream of: hundreds of people streamed down the aisles to the platform to make their commitment public Responding to a call to support church planting in Illinois, messengers at the 107th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association brought forward cards indicating their commitment to pray, partner with church planters, and/or lead their own congregations to join in planting new churches.

They also asked God’s forgiveness for failing to “faithfully and regularly share the Gospel ”

“I’m ready to go home and share the Gospel,” one Chicago pastor said at the conclusion of the meeting, after hearing three sermons on lostness, grace, and personal evangelism

“We need to go into this lost and broken world and share the good news of Jesus Christ,” preached Tim Lewis, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in suburban Troy, outside St Louis His sermon was on Jesus’ parable of the banquet, and the poor and lowly people who accepted the master ’s invita-

tion after the well-to-do refused it “These are people who are lost and they’re dying and messed up. That’s who Christ came for,” he said, choking up

Lewis’s message followed unanimous adoption of a resolution on “repentance and evangelism” that declared many members of IBSA churches “have been disobedient to the Lord Jesus Christ and sinned by failing in their responsibility” to share the Gospel The resolution called on them to repent and to make evangelism “a primary focus and purpose of their lives on earth ”

Lewis called fellow pastor and church leaders to lives of personal evangelism and evangelism through church planting

“Our church is challenged to start a church every year,” the St Louis area pastor said, his voice cracking “Our church is small, but I want to claim Metro East for Christ I want to claim it ” Lewis, similarly, charged the crowd: “Your church is not about you,” he said, “It’s about the One who died for you ”

As a downstate pastor originally

Reports detail progress, new challenges

Springfield | The Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) and its two agencies gave their yearly reports on Wednesday, Nov 13 IBSA, BCHFS (Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services), and BFI (The Baptist Foundation of Illinois) all reported positively for the year

IBSA

“This has been another great year for Illinois Baptists in missions,” Executive Director Nate Adams (right), declared He said 249 churches have embraced the Acts 1:8 Challenge and a record number have served as missions volunteers “After several years of IBSA churches reporting just over 20,000 missions volunteers per year, last year our churches reported more than 27,000 – an amazing 34 5% increase!”

Another category of missions that continues to grow is Disaster Relief ministries “So far this year, 157

IBSA churches have sent 373 volunteers to minister as Disaster Relief volunteers,” Adams noted

He reported the staff has already trained nearly 18,000 church leaders this year, and equipped more than 300 churches in evangelism and prayer strategies

The IBSA staff also consulted directly with more than three out of four IBSA churches, whether in person or by phone or email

As of the end of October, IBSA church planters have started 24 new churches. “With the North American Mission Board’s new ‘Send Chicago’ and ‘Send St Louis’ initiatives, there are more resources and partners available for church plant-

ing from outside Illinois than perhaps ever before,” he shared Adams also reported Cooperative Program giving is about the same as this time last year, just 0 1% higher, and giving to the Mission Illinois Offering (MIO) is 2 2% behind 2012 year-todate, but awaiting final gifts from churches before year ’s end Other highlights:

• Construction is underway at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp to nearly double the capacity of the dining hall Other improvements to the camp’s core building are planned for next year.

• Retiring Streator Baptist Camp manager Larry Walter was recognized for 18 years of service

from Chicago, Peters compared the great numbers of lost people in Illinois’ largest metro areas to the vast city of Nineveh “Maybe if you’re not

Continued on page 8

By the numbers

455

600

12 4,913 572 2

messengers registered

Mission Illinois bags prepped

church planters set up booths about their ministries

people baptized by IBSA churches last year

desserts served at the Wednesday evening reception

neckties spotted at the pastors conference

IBSA President Jonathan Peters’ (above) message was even more pointed “Get over yourself,” he said, drawing some Amen’s

ALTAR CALL – After the Wednesday night presentation featuring Illinois church planters and their stories, messengers delivered pledges to pray for new churches, partner with them, or to plant new congregations in places where a Gospel witness is lacking

PRESIDENT’S CHARGE – “I’m glad God’s raising up people who say, ‘For the glory of God, let’s take a shot,’” said Jonathan Peters, after church planters shared their stories

Commitment to new churches

Continued from page 7

from cities, from St Louis or Chicago, you think this lostness doesn’t apply to you – that the crime and the trouble doesn’t apply to you Get over yourself ” He smiled as he said it Peters applied the perspective God shared with the reluctant prophet Jonah to our mission field in Illinois: “How do you think I (God) should feel about people who are currently and deservedly under my wrath? Should I have pity? Should I be willing to extend mercy to those who are far from me? To those who are perishing?”

As with the parliamentary move that often stops debate in a church business meeting, Peters said, “God calls for the question God has already made up his mind It’s time for his people to stop debating” whether we will make evangelism and church planting our priority – especially in the cities

Where God is working

Before calling attenders to make their own commitments, the IBSA church planting team reported on God’s activity through new congregations in Illinois Among their examples:

Church of the Beloved in Chicago, started by David Choi a year ago, now has three weekend services and up to 400 worship attenders Choi reported salvations among international students and professionals “‘Look for people who pray’ is probably the best advice I’ve ever gotten on forming a planting team, Choi said “We have a prayer meeting before each service We have a weekly prayer meeting at Wheaton College We have a weekly prayer meeting for other churches We just want Chicago saturated with prayer ”

Reports upbeat

Continued from page 7

THE GOSPEL TRUTH – “We’ve got to be plain We’ve got to tell people about sin We need to tell people about hell,” said Gary Frost, NAMB VP for the Midwest region “Before a person can be saved, they’ve got to realize they are lost

Grace Fellowship in Amboy, near Rockford, has baptized 24 people since it launched March 31 “We felt such an oppression there,” planter Brian McWethy said of visiting the town with his wife “There are eight bars and only 2,400 people,” he said But McWethy is seeing many salvations “It’s a challenge, but we serve a great God ”

“When we are led by the Holy Spirit, it’s like catching a wave in the ocean and surfing that wave,” said Steven Helfrich “When we try to do it in our own strength, it’s like trying to surf in a lake, where there are no waves ” Helfrich is planting The Bridge church in Alton

His core team met at first in a funeral home, but right before Easter, The Bridge moved into an historic church building that sat empty after the previous congregation closed its doors Helfrich’s church is running about 180 in attendance

The planters were interviewed by Van Kicklighter, IBSA’s As-

sociate Executive Director for Church Planting, as part of the presentation Wednesday night “Illinois is too big It’s too hard It’s too overwhelming for any one of our churches to do it alone,” Kicklighter said “Your church, my church, none of these can possibly hope to accomplish this on our own It’s a God-sized assignment.”

When attenders were called to make a commitment, 140 Illinois Baptists pledged to pray for church planters or partner to assist them, and 30 committed to lead their own churches to help plant a new church

The bold ones

The church planting numbers in the Midwest reported by the North American Mission Board were encouraging:

• 400 people enlisted in the church planting farm system

• 260 church planters are expected to be on the field within the next year

• 170 churches outside region are being mobilized to help plant churches in the Midwest

But, given the great need, that’s a drop in the bucket A good drop, but still, a drop

Success hangs on two things: commitment from local churches to pray, partner, and plant new churches within the state

And it requires boldness Holy boldness

“A lot of people don’t want an old, rugged cross anymore They want a smooth, streamlined one,” said Gary Frost, NAMB’s regional vice-president for the Midwest He called for clarity in our witnessing “We cannot be ashamed of the Gospel ”

• BCHFS has recorded 12 professions of faith so far in 2013

• The organization provided care for 1,229 children and adults through the year ’s first three quarters, a 25% increase over last year

• The IBSA Board is considering acquiring a 30acre property in Springfield to develop into a Leadership Center

• IBSA is working with Judson University in Elgin to establish a Church Planting Certificate as part of their Christian Ministries major Students will study, serve and intern with Southern Baptist church planters in the Chicago area

BCHFS

BCHFS Executive Director Doug Devore introduced Steve Richards, who shared about the 8 years he lived at the Children’s Home beginning 40 years ago Now married with three children, he said, “Families are worth fighting for I know one family that’s worth fighting for – my own family ” Families worth fighting for is the focus of BCHFS in 2014

Devore said domestic violence, same-sex marriage, and other things are taking a toll on children in the United States “We must see the children through His eyes, we must hear their cries through His ears Join us in our mission to protect, heal and restore.”

In other highlights:

• Board officers for 2014 are Lowell Huffstutler, chair; Matthew Flanigan, vice chair; and Tracy Taplin, secretary

BFI

BFI Executive Director Doug Morrow shared how the Foundation “helps lead Illinois Baptists in their response to God’s call of stewardship upon their lives ”

In June, the Foundation’s board authorized the first BFI bond program, allowing churches to invest in other church’s new church construction “Over $2 6 million has already been invested in new church construction in our state,” Morrow said

In other highlights:

• In the past year, BFI has worked with 20 churches and assisted more than 75 families in developing estate plans

• More than 130 churches and institutions utilize the Foundation’s investment services

• $75,000 in BFI scholarships was awarded

• Board officers for 2014 are Ron Knox, chair; David Rochleau, vice chair; and Rosalie Gardner, secretary

HEAVENLY HARMONIES – “Sons of the Father,” a trio from West Frankfort, sang a mix of hymns and Southern Gospel songs on Wednesday night

TO BOLDLY GO – “I don’t want to follow tradition, follow a program, follow the crowd; I want to boldly follow Christ,” declared Tim Lewis, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Troy in the annual sermon

SPOTLIGHT ON PLANTERS – Pastor of The Bridge Church in Alton, Steven Helfrich (right), told IBSA’s Van Kicklighter how God is working in their new congregation

PLEASED TO MEET YOU – Twelve planters set up tables in the conference room and shared their stories with messengers during a dessert reception Daniel Chung (right) is a pastoral intern from Church of the Beloved in Chicago, pastored by David Choi

Speakers urge personal growth as servant leaders

Nine sermons from six preachers in two days, and it all seemed choreographed by the Holy Spirit With leadership as a theme, the speakers wove biblical instruction with stories from their ministry experience to exhort Illinois pastors Everything rises and falls on leadership, the saying goes, so follow the best leader, Jesus Christ Here is a collection of the teaching from

• Jay Strother, The Church at Station Hill, Tenn

• Bobby Boyles,The Lost Cowboy Church in Gracemont, Okla

• Jerry Cain, Judson University

• Micah Fries, LifeWay Research

• Chuck Kelley, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

• Eric Mason, Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pa

Leading in the current culture

Fries: I think we live in a unique time in the lifespan of our culture I think the church has given up on our culture We have occupied a position of primacy, of influence and authority, for most of our country’s lifetime We are the minority now, we are almost the despised minority Mason: We’ve got to have clarity on what the Gospel is I am dumbfounded by how many people don’t know what the Gospel is, and they are members of churches Boyles: I worked in a guitar shop as a teenager One night someone broke in and switched all the price tags Expensive guitars were marked 25 cents and picks were marked hundreds of dollars It took weeks for us to get all the prices back on the right things

In our society today, somebody has broken in and switched all the tags Things that are valuable are said to be worthless, and things that ought to be cast aside are being lifted up

Fries: For far too long we have been trying to position ourselves as counter to society, but we have not been counter to society by the way we live, but by the strange music we listen to and the odd T-shirts we wear Boyles: People don’t need to walk into your church and find Christians down in the mouth, looking like the picture on their driver ’s license

Fries: The world does not need to hear the church wringing its hands at the demise of society The world needs to hear the church celebrate the goodness of Jesus as an alternative to the society and culture we live in embracing the goodness of Jesus, no matter if the culture around us going to hell.

Boyles: The world has been turned upside and we have been too quiet about it too long Why have we let them turn the

BEHIND

are baptizing fewer people now than we did in 1948, with about one-third as many churches,” said NOBTS President Chuck Kelley “The problem with our discipleship is not that more of us do not talk about Jesus, but that we do not look like Jesus ”

world upside down? We are the ones who are to turn it right side up It’s time that God’s people right the ship Mason: The church should have a culture where we are always looking for Gospel opportunities wherever we are because God is always up to something

Leading through difficulty

Kelley: Here’s the bad news, you’re going to have trouble But most of the time, when trouble finds us, it’s not because of something you did It’s just your turn (as in New Orleans after Katrina) It does not mean God has forgotten your name or abandoned you It’s just your turn on the dark road But on the dark road you will find treasures you would never find in the light Strother: Sometimes in ministry, we have times when are we uncertain, and it seems like we haven’t heard or seen God Sometimes we need to go back to the point when

we knew God spoke and heard us Mason: No matter where you are, you need to be heartily engaging with men The fight we are dealing with with men is not pornography, beating their wife, being deadbeat dad the fight is dealing with the unbelief behind all that If you haven’t dealt with the unbelief, you can’t bring down the stronghold We gotta deal with these issues with men, but we’ve got to deal with these strongholds in our own lives The Holy Ghost won’t move until you got some stuff in your life moved out of the way

Leading the next generation

Strother: We surveyed our congregation and we found one-third of the parents had never told their children how they had become believers themselves

Continued on page 10

Resolutions address social issues, mark WMU’s 125th year

Springfield | Messengers to the IBSA Annual Meeting passed five resolutions at this year ’s meeting The Resolutions and Christian Life Committee brought to the meeting resolutions which affirmed biblical marriage and religious liberty, opposed gaming expansion, celebrated 125 years of WMU, and condemned human exploitation A fifth resolution from the committee was introduced at the meeting and called for Christian repentance and evangelism

The Resolution Regarding Human Exploitation addressed human trafficking and pornography, which has been a major focus of WMU in recent years The resolution touches on six areas: bullying, pornography, labor

trafficking, sex trafficking, the media’s exploitation of families and children, and the exploitation of natural resources for personal gain

Carmen Halsey, Executive Director of Illinois WMU, hopes the resolution will make churches and individuals aware that human exploitation is happening in their own communities “With awareness needs to come the intent to act,” said Halsey “We can’t just become aware and avert our eyes to it We have a responsibility to do something about it.” For more about Illinois WMU’s efforts to prevent human exploitation, see page 6 of this issue of the Illinois Baptist

The Resolution on Gaming Expan-

sion in Illinois was a renewed call for Illinois Baptists to not squander “God’s valuable resources (1 Corinthians 10:26) the He chooses to channel through the lives of His people who as stewards of this rust are commanded to be faithul ”

It furthers calls on Illinois Bapists to “oppose steadfastly all efforts by any court or state legislature to expand gaming in Illinois ” Within the last year, Gov Pat Quinn and the state legislature have looked into various ways of expanding gaming in Illinois to raise money to cover the cost of pensions and other state expenses

The Resolution on Recognition of

the 125th Anniversary of the Woman’s Missionary Union thanked the organization for its commitment to and participation in Southern Baptist missions work Messengers affirmed the resolution which commended WMU “for its faithful and continued partnership in Southern Baptist missions through prayer support, and educational programming,” and for “faithful financial support of missions through the special offerings for international, North American, and state missions here in Illinois, and through the Cooperative Program.”

See page 7 for more on the repentance and evangelism resolution, and page 1 for information about the resolution on marriage

THE LINES – “We

Boyles

Cain

Fries

Mason

Strother

mission illinois

Perfect isn’t in the plan

Ministry wives celebrate God’s provision

S p r i n g f i e l d | Who wore a dress to church last Sunday? Women seated at round tables laughed when they heard the question, and several nodded

Who has sung a solo in the past year? More laughter, and more nods

The annual Ministers’ Wives’ Conference held during the IBSA Pastors’ Conference started with a quest to find the “perfect” ministry wife, one who dresses appropriately, is talented in many parts of church life, and is willing to direct Vacation Bible School

Busting stereotypes and being real proved to be the theme of the conference, held at the IBSA Building in Springfield Lynda Locke, a pastor ’s wife from Jacksonville, Ill , was the morning’s featured speaker “Have you ever felt like you’ve lived two separate lives?” she asked

Dressed in a double take-inducing costume (one side was a blouse and skirt, the other a man’s shirt, tie and slacks), Locke shared her testimony and a little lip-syncing All duets with men’s and women’s parts, of course

Early in her life, Locke said, “I was pretending to be a Christian and was living two separate lives ” Familiar doo-wop music started, and Locke launched into “The Great Pretender ”

She shared that her marriage, to Pastor Duncan Locke of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, and their family looked ideal and all-American She even learned to make apple pie But her daughter stopped Locke in her tracks one Sunday morning “She’s not like this at home all the time,” her daughter said to friends who commented on their family’s picturesque life

“I was still pretending to be one person out in public and even at church than I was at home ”

Crises in her life and family later drove home the point, but Locke said God has taught her how to respond faithfully “Instead of acting like the world in fear in the middle of a crisis, I can respond with peace in Christ, knowing that every day in my life is part of His perfect plan for me ”

The morning’s worship leader had earlier shared a similar word of trust

“I am Joanne Ford and you all have been praying for me ” Ford, wife of Pastor David Ford from Charity Southern Baptist in Greenfield, is currently undergoing chemotherapy She thanked ministry wives for their prayers and led them in a gentle medley of well-sung hymns

Cultivate young leaders, conference speakers say

Continued from page 9

Cain: Grandma, Grandpa, your grandkids need to hear the story of your conversion and baptism Only nine percent of Christians have heard their parents’ conversion stories Victor Hugo would say, “If you want to reform a man, begin with his grandmother ”

Strother: We are missing the opportunity to minister to our own families We missed a key component of spiritual formation: we could not replace in an hour or two in church what must be done in the home The church has 40 hours a year of spiritual instruction time with children Parents have 3,000 hours available

Kelley: What this new generation needs to hear is what God did, not what you did in the past Focus on the mighty acts of God, not on the mighty acts of Chuck – or George or Susan or Mary

Cain: There are people in your church that have been called to leadership and they don’t know it yet,

but you may know it and everyone else in the community may know it, and it’s your job to help them listen It’s your responsibility to help call out the called Tell them to “sit down and shut up and listen,” because God is calling to you Kelley: What this coming generation of leaders wants to know is that [Paul’s testimony] would be your testimony too…not a testimony of false hope that one kind of church is easier is than another but that Jesus will make it worth it The prize is the upward call, and when you are finished, that you will look back with every fiber of your being, and say that ancient Hebrew word, WOW!

What a ministry, what life, what a ride!

Videos are available at www IBSA org

The 2014 Pastor ’ s Conference will be held November 4-5, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield

The group elected new officers for next year: Donna Irvin, president, New Hope Baptist Church in Coal Valley; Judy Taylor, vice president, Dorrisville Baptist Church, and Lindsay McDonald, treasurer, Samaria Missionary Baptist Church, Albion

The 2014 Ministers’s Wives’ Conference and Luncheon will be held in Springfield Nov 5

Why should Christians take a stand on cultural issues?

take a stand, then who will?”

Aleyda Munoz, Iglesia Baustista Latina, Effingham/Centralia/Champaign

“[In the medical field], if one little thing is missing or lac king, we call it pathology …Same as if you are a little c hanged from the Bible . That’s a diseased condition Spir itual disease , there’s no negotiation. Whatever the Bible said, that’s it ”

“We have to take a stand if we ’ re going to be follower s of Jesus , because Jesus is God and He has author ity over ever ything And He speaks about marr iage If Jesus talks about it, we have to talk about it ”

Scott Kelly, pastor of Evanston Baptist

Dr Song Jung Kim, pastor of Diaspora Church,

Palatine

“Regardless of the barr ier s and the struggles we encounter, it is up to the c hurc h to reveal the truth about things that are not to be compromised And if the c hurc h doesn’t

Church

VICTORIOUS - Christina Batchelor of Bethel Baptist in Princeton, Ill , celebrates a win for her table during the annual gathering of ministry spouses coinciding with the IBSA Pastors’ Conference Speaker Lynda Locke (left) encouraged the women to celebrate God’s imprint of grace on their lives

BIVOCATIONAL PASTOR OF THE YEAR – Keith Bunfill of Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church (third from left) is recognized at the Pastor’s Conference Presenting the award are (l-r) Capital City Association Director of Missions David Howard, IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams, and Saline Association Director of Missions Rusty Morecraft.

Grip and grin

Exhausting and exhilarating

Two words that describe three days of preaching and meeting and eating, when Baptists from across the state come together to do God’s work and celebrate God’s work. What did we learn at our gathering at the Springfield Hilton?

1 Baptist Swag

Must be practical And roomy “Li’l Thunder” is the manufacturer’s name of the bag messengers received when they registered. It was filled with all kinds of goodies. And it showed up in all kinds of places We’re considering a contest: send us a selfie showing how you used “Li’l Thunder” after you got home

2 Stumpf Fiddle

It looks like a yardstick with a couple of pie plates strapped to it But it really is an instrument, and can be expensive , we ’ re told The fiddle player with JourneyWorship really knows how to play it, turning “Build Your Kingdom Here” into a raucous, rollicking song of praise .

3 Peeling paint

One speaker described the music at the Pastors’ Conference as able to “peel the paint off the walls.” (That’s a good thing.) In stark contrast, worship at the annual meeting was led by one guy and a guitar, Mike Harland of LifeWay It was hear tfelt and contemplative and unplugged (That’s also a good thing )

4 Welcome aboard Messengers welcomed 12 new churches into fellowship with IBSA

Journey Church’s Chad Ozee, (left) outgoing president of the Pastors’ Conference, welcomes incoming president Michael Allen of Uptown BC (right) and David Sutton of Bread of Life in Chicago (center) as treasurer

PEOPLE AND CHURCHES

FBC Oblong joins the parade

AR OUND OUR STATE

New Faces

David Smith is the new pastor of Bankston Fork Baptist Church in Harrisburg Smith, who previously pastored Herod Springs Baptist, is also working toward a Master ’s of Divinity degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary He and his wife, Stevi, have two daughters

Milestones

First Baptist Church in Zeigler celebrated their 95th anniversary in July The service was highlighted by special music and a message by Ron Cremeens, director of missions for Franklin Baptist Association

Ministry Positions

Illinois Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services is seeking a full-time husband and wife houseparent couple. Includes salary and benefits package Send resumes to Scott Kiser at 949 County Road 1300 North, Carmi, IL 62821, or call (618) 382-4165, ext 206

Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon seeking an interim music director Applicants should have experience in traditional and contemporary worship styles Send resumes to: Jerry Day, 601 South 21st St , Mt Vernon, IL 62864

Resources

For Sale: 1996 Ford bus, 136,000 miles, seats 22-24 people, new paint job, Will need AC repair Call (217) 254-6222 or (618) 483-6374

CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER – Need a great outreach idea for next year? Try what First Baptist Church in Oblong did this fall They created a float for their town’s Halloween parade, but with different holidays in mind – Christmas and Easter The church’s float depicted Jesus’ story, from the manger to the cross And they took first place in the religious category

in the Zone Disaster Relief Edition

In addition to their response to tornadoes in Illinois, Disaster Relief volunteers recently served in Colorado and South Dakota

•

Zone 9: A flood recovery team from Williamson Association had a sudden change of plans in late October They were scheduled to travel to Colorado, to assist with clean-up efforts But a few days before they left, the team was re-routed to South Dakota to remove damaged trees felled by a massive blizzard that dumped nearly three feet of snow on Rapid City and Sturgis

The team also shared the Gospel with 9year-old Mallachi Thomas, who asked if he was old enough to ask Jesus into his heart

The volunteers were scheduled to be at his house in the morning, while Mallachi was at school, but arrived that afternoon “God has

New Hope celebrates 180 years

good timing,” volunteer Jan Kragness said

The team also led a Cracker Barrel waitress to the Lord on their way home

A Disaster Relief team from Salem South Association (zone 10), led by Roy Bitner, also served in South Dakota One of the homeowners they helped also accepted Christ The fifth and final team to South Dakota, representing several associations, was scheduled to travel Nov 17-25

•

Zone 8: Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville participated in Sandy Rebuild in September, a project coordinated by the North American Mission Board to continue recovery efforts in the Northeast after last fall’s super storm The Collinsville team helped Almarean Sweeney clean out her flooded home “I can’t get over it,” she said “God just sent His angels here to help us ” (Information from NAMB’s Disaster Relief Update, Oct 29)

More Milestones

Peoples Church buys Glen Ellyn building

–

A

Hope is a place where people here have become friends and friends have become family ”

Chicagoland

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Pastor Delbert Penrod leads in worship along with Beulah Hollis and Nancy Brown during the 180th anniversary celebration at Sandridge New Hope Baptist Church in Petersburg Founded in 1833, the church’s first building was built in 1852, half a mile from where they meet now Member Mary Bailie said in a press release about the anniversary: “This country church is looking back on its history and forward to the future New

KINGDOM BUILDING – Peoples Community Church in Glen Ellyn recently finalized the purchase of the facility formerly home to Glenfield Baptist Church Baptist Foundation of Illinois Executive Director Doug Morrow (far left) conducted a bond issue for Peoples Church, raising $718,000 in 20 days “It was a miracle,” said Pastor James Shannon (center) Tom Marx (far right), a Peoples Church trustee, also was present for the sale The proceeds will be used to establish an endowment through BFI supporting missions and evangelism in

Join a Christmas jour ney to Bethlehem and beyond

Royal advisors seek new leader

Read Matthew 2:1-6

The journey to the hospital for a baby’s birth is familiar: suitcase packed and sitting by the door, route laid out First-time parents rehearse the trip, often with comic results

But the journey is actually serious stuff Suppose the route is unclear or the destination unknown Only the urgency of birth would force someone to set out on such an uncertain journey

These advisors to an eastern ruler set out in search of a new king They traveled by day and checked their coordinates at night All they have to go on is an ancient prophecy and the strange and wonderful star that recently appeared

But a promise is enough to keep them moving

How odd it seems that these Magi who are not followers of Yahweh should believe and take action, and Herod, who should have known the prophecy in detail, is apparently ignorant of the Messiah or the place of tiny Bethlehem in his coming

Pray Lord, help me to hold tightly to your promises and to move ahead because of them

Conspiracy threatens monarch

Read Matthew 2:12-15

The Magi give the infant Jesus gifts fit for a king–and for a dead man Like giving a life insurance policy to a newborn, these men who studied the prophecy present oils and spices used in embalming At his birth, their gifts predict his death How strange

The gold will surely be helpful when Joseph scoops up his young family and flees in order to save their lives They will need cash for the journey – food for themselves and the donkey And they will need living expenses while in Egypt. God knew that and made arrangements ahead of time But why equip them with frankincense and myrrh?

Joseph probably regifted the unusual gifts, or sold them, because they were very valuable Even after the funeral gifts are gone, they remind Mary and Joseph that this Child has a special purpose in the world Somehow, it is connected to life and death

Mary ponders these things in her heart: Angels, shepherds, star, royalty, gifts fit for a funeral

Pray Lord, as we celebrate Jesus’ bir th, remind us also of his death, because the Christmas cradle is pointless without the Cross

Caravan heads to ‘nowhere’ 2

Read Matthew 2:7-11

How hollow is Herod’s declaration that he wants to worship the new king, especially knowing the murder he harbored in his heart His whole lifestyle is threatened by a mewling babe Herod is only a half-Jew, an Edomite, and his reign on the throne of David is illegitimate in the eyes of his subjects

So when Herod says he wants to come see the newborn monarch, we know he has no intention to bow before his replacement

In stark contrast, the royal advisors from the East worship even before they see him They are like Abraham and Moses and others who believed in God’s Promise, even without seeing the Christ The Magi rejoice when the star appears over Jesus’ birthplace, even before they set eyes on the Child They rejoice “with exceeding great joy ”

The Magi celebrate the promise; then they bow before its fulfillment They give him gifts fit for a king

Pray Lord, help me to be a true worshiper this Christmas, setting nothing above You Let me celebrate the Promise of God, even before I see its fulfillment

Sad prophecy fulfilled

Read Matthew 2:16-18

This is the saddest part of the Christmas story And for many people, it’s also the most uncomfortable Some Bibles use as a heading for this passage “slaughter of the innocents ” Why would God allow such a horrible event to follow such a joyful one?

Herod is angered because the Wise Men do not return He exacts his revenge on Bethlehem Fearful of being deposed, he seeks to eliminate his replacement. Scholars debate the number of boy babies slain, but given the size of Bethlehem, it is probably between 20 and 40

Anyone who has lost a loved one knows the anguish of even one death Multiply that by dozens, and we can only imagine the grief in Bethlehem

What is God’s point? Look at the tragedy in Bethlehem as a great and pitiful word picture

God wants us to know that sending His Son into the world is exceedingly joyful and deeply sorrowful Contrast Christmas morning and Good Friday night: Angels sing as they welcomed his birth; sinners weep at their Savior’s sacrifice

The joy of our salvation has a high price

Pray Lord, thank you for sending Jesus I begin now to understand what it cost him –and You

Flexible devotion plan for individuals, small groups, and prayer meetings

Advent schedule: Use one on each of the five Sundays in December

One-week schedule: Use one each day, starting on the Sunday before Christmas

Stopover for Christmas Eve

Read Matthew 1:18-25

The unsung hero of Christmas is surely Joseph As we think of Jesus birth, let’s consider it from Joseph’s perspective He is likely an older man with a young wife She tells him of her pregnancy, and he knows the child is not his How would any man react in such a situation?

And yet, Matthew calls him a righteous man Joseph does not want Mary to suffer the rejection should her condition become public, so he plans a private action

Until God intervenes

Joseph’s right relationship with God is shown in several ways: his willing acceptance that the child Mary bore was God’s own Son based on the angel’s message, his desire to protect Mary and the baby, and his quick response to God’s instructions

There are so many amazing events associated with the coming of Jesus to earth One of the most inspiring is how Joseph was faithful and how God used him

Pray Lord, let me be responsive like Joseph, taking Jesus to hear t and making my hear t your home Merr y Christmas, Lord

Home to obscurity

Read Matthew 2:19-25

Once again Joseph is the unsung hero He is sensitive to God’s leading as he takes his stepson Jesus home Joseph dreams, angels speak, God warns, Joseph turns

If anyone can say “wherever He leads, I’ll go,” it’s Joseph

The carpenter sets up shop in Nazareth He makes a home there with his young wife and “their” boy And the Son of God lives in obscurity for the next 30 years

“What good can come of Nazareth?” one disciple would ask later as Jesus emerged into public ministry Well, to answer the question, the Messiah

God chooses “the sticks” as the place to bring up the Savior of the World And he chooses a rough-hewn woodworker to serve as His Son’s stepdad And He chooses as his mother a little-known young woman whose only qualification is to say “whatever you want is fine with me” when an angel announces God’s wonderous plan

In this obscurity, God quietly works to rescue remote, undeserving people The King of Kings is willing to move to our neck of the woods, to endure obscurity, embrace humanity, and suffer ignominy on Calvary for our redemption

Pray Lord, take your rightful place over all Your creation. Reign over my life this Christmas and always Amen

In the mail

On the night before Christmas…

A Christmas Eve service can be one of your church’s most meaningful moments, and one of its largest outreach events of the year Use these two secrets for planning a meaningful community-wide event to honor Jesus’ birth

Secret #1: Early prep

Carefully plan a top-quality program of worship Forty-five minutes or an hour is ideal Establish a minute-byminute timetable for program participants so every second counts Make it relaxed, yet power-packed

Prepare fabulous music, and include some traditional carols The pastor ’s sermon is strategic, but may be different than usual And pass-it-on candle lighting never goes out of style

As early as possible, ask for a commitment from your choice vocal and instrumental musicians, your media team and reliable leaders for greeters and fellowship reception

Preplan unique exterior lighting to attract guests that night – a high, giant star, searchlight or laser lights

Purchase needed supplies early, such as individual candles and paper guards, or jingle bells for kids

Offer at least two service times to enable more families to make it a tradition

Training

Oppor tunities

December 1-8: Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

December 27-28: Youth Encounter, Prairie Capital Convention Center

Cost is $40 if you register by Dec 1, $45 from Dec 2 through to midnight Dec 26, and $50 at the door (217) 391-3127, JennaNickelson@ IBSA org, www IBSA org/ ilstudentz

January 1-5: January Bible Study. Focused on the book of Colossians; get curriculum at www LifeWay com

January 6, 11: Tax Seminar at Second Baptist, West Frankfort (Jan 6) and Pleasant Hill Baptist, Mt Vernon (Jan 11) Tax information and federal requirements for ministers, church treasurers and other leaders. (217) 391-3126, www IBSA org/Church Health DebbieMuller@IBSA org,

January 19: Sanctity of Human Life

January 25: All State Choir Auditions at Rochester FBC; Logan Street Baptist, Mt Vernon; and Calvary Baptist, Elgin For students in grades 9-12; choir members will attend Summer Worship University (July 7-11) and go on a music and ministry tour of Illinois and Oklahoma on July 12-18 (217) 3913126, DebbieMuller@IBSA org

Prepare guest cards and handouts ahead A “Celebrate Jesus All Year” handout can invite guests to return, listing worship times, small groups, website, upcoming sermon series and events

Your publicity team strategizes to invite the entire town, using e-invitations, newspaper, Facebook event, outside banner invitation, and printed invitations Members intentionally invite friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers Deliver ribboned invitations to each home and business near the church building

Involve many volunteers – early greeters for every single door and parking lot, minglers to visit with guests, candle lighters, a single adults team to prepare a hot cocoa reception with a spectacular array of toppings and birthday cake for Jesus

Assign a follow-up team to email each guest by Saturday, the 28th, to invite them to Sunday worship

Secret #2: Make it extraordinary

Try one of these unique touches:

A side-stage live nativity provides a striking visual during the sermon or music Variation: Use living statues, with characters’ clothing and exposed skin painted to resemble stone

(Google “living statue” for techniques ) As the Christmas story is told, each one dramatically changes positions

A guitarist worshipfully plays carols by candlelight in the entry foyer

A unique setting could be used, such as a service on the church lawn, surrounding a live nativity scene, or a multi-stop drive-through or walkthrough Christmas Eve service across the church parking lot

Creative lighting provides ambiance, such as dim lights, candles and up-lights on a cross and a manger

Add an unusual instrumentalist, such as a harpist, cellist or whistler

As children enter, give each a shepherd costume (simple fabric with holes and sash) to wear During one song, invite kids to the front to kneel reverently by a manger.

Yes, a Christmas Eve service is a big commitment for lay church leaders and ministry staff, but it’s an opportunity that can’t be replicated any other day of the year Begin a new tradition this year To eve or not to eve? There is no question

©2013 Diana Davis is an author, columnist and minister ’ s wife Contact her at floridianadavis@gmail com

Damaged leader can be restored

The Spring 2014 issue of IBSA’s Resource magazine is all about working together Nate Adams explores the rationale behind and benefits of Southern Baptist cooperation; Carmen Halsey gives tips for recruiting the next generation of leaders; and Pastor Marvin Parker explains how Broadview Missionary Baptist Church functions as a team, and as a family

Plus, suggestions for taking care of your church’s volunteers, planning tips for spring and Easter, and a full calendar of training opportunities for January through April

Resource is mailed three times a year to church leaders; to subscribe or order extra copies for your team, e-mail Communications@IBSA.org or call (217) 391-3119

How to establish accountability after pornography is discovered

By Jay Dennis

Much too often it happens A pastor, staff member or volunteer church leader has been viewing pornography What should a church do? Let me suggest a 10-step process:

1 Gather the facts first When confronting a church leader, approach him with specific instances when there is reason to believe he has looked at pornography Whether someone actually saw it on his computer, the history was checked, or some other way, share specific instances or valid suspicions

2. Have at least one other trusted leader with the person who confronts the staff member or leader You need someone who can be there with you to demonstrate love, grace, and, yet, the severity of the situation The staff member or leader must know this is not a personal vendetta against him, but a serious breach of trust

3. Confront in a private place where confidentiality is sacred. Approach him in the privacy of an office or home where there is no risk of someone overhearing the conversation The goal is redemption, not embarrassment

4 Communicate what you know and how you know it Rehearse what you are going to say and how you will say it This is not the time to lecture or be angry Make sure you have bathed this in prayer prior to the confrontation

5. Give the person an opportunity to share and confess. Inform him that

this would be the very best and redemptive opportunity to come clean and to begin the road to restoration He needs to know that excuses and denials only make the situation worse Redemption begins with confession and brokenness

6. Insist that he tell his wife. The leader must understand the importance of coming clean with his wife Help him to formulate a plan as to when and how he will make this confession to her

7. Require immediate accountability For the confrontation to be redemptive, a personal accountability plan must be established, which may include a leave of absence from his leadership role

Determine who would be the best person for him to have an accountability relationship Also insist that he place filtering software on each of his computers Suggest a Christian counselor for him

8. Specifically communicate the restoration process Each situation is different, but if possible, give a path to restoration This should include: what is required to return to a ministry role; the time involved; steps that must be taken; and how he will keep you informed so you will know when restoration for a ministry role is reached

9. Express your love for him and his family. Remember Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) No matter what happens, the leader needs

to understand that you, the church, and most importantly God, loves him unconditionally Your confrontation in love can be the beginning of freedom

10 Share specific consequences of failing to keep the pornography-free commitment If you choose to keep the person on staff or in a volunteer leadership position, the consequence must be the immediate termination of his job

Should you terminate the employment of the pastor or staff member who is guilty? I believe much of that depends upon how deeply immersed in pornography he had become, his response and how his wife responds when he tells her If he demonstrates a genuine brokenness, repentance and willingness to follow the path of restoration, then healing grace should be an option However, where there is obvious denial and blame or if his wife decides she can no longer live with him, the church is left with little choice

Jay Dennis is pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla, and founder of Join 1 Million Men, a movement challenging 1 million Christian men to commit to living a pornography free-life This column is excerpted from Baptist Press; read the full version at www IBSA org/iBeXtra

Award-winning books

Recognized by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association

Christian Book of the Year

“Jesus Today” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson)

Bibles

Chronological Life Application

Study Bible, NLT (Tyndale House)

Bible Reference

“Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Acts” by Eckhard J Schnabel (Zondervan)

Children

“The Action Bible Devotional” by Jeremy V Jones (David C Cook)

Fiction

“The Next Target” by Nikki Arana (David C Cook)

New Author

“Anything” by Jennie Allen (Thomas Nelson)

Non-Fiction

“Grace” by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)

Inspiration

“Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing” by Sally Lloyd-Jones (ZonderKidzs)

DAVE Says

Single and staying on track

Q: Do you have any tips for how a single person can stay on track with their finances?

A: : It’s really pretty simple The first thing is the same advice I give to married couples, and that is to live on a monthly budget Sit down at the end of each month and write down – on paper – all your expenses and income for the following month

When you think about it, budgeting really isn’t that difficult Some of your expenses, like your rent or mortgage payment, will be the same If you have a car payment (which I really hope you don’t), it will remain constant as well Things like groceries and utilities may fluctuate based on the time of year, but you can make a pretty accurate estimate by looking at past months The second thing I’d recommend is that you find someone to be your accountability partner It should be someone who is wise and good with money and a person who loves you enough to call your bluff or hurt your feelings a little when necessary They can be a close friend, parent or even your pastor Just sit down together over a cup of coffee once a month and talk about your fi-

Impact far beyond the shoe box

P l a i n f i e l d | More than 100 million kids have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox over the last 20 years Now, some of those children are sharing their stories with the people who helped change their lives

At age four, Alex Nsengimana lost his mother to AIDS The family members who were caring for him and his brother were kille ing the Rwandan gen of 1994 Alex was liv in an orphanage when received his shoeb filled with toys and gif

“Receiving that sho box was just the beginning of my faith,” he says in a video testimon samaritanspurse org “ understand that the world hasn’t forgotten It reminded us that, you know, someone out there cared for us ”

Alex was later adopted into a Minnesota family and went to college to study pastoral leadership He also works with Samaritan’s Purse to share his story He spoke earlier this year at Plainfield’s Springbrook Community Church, which organizes two shoebox collection sites in their community

nk sometimes we see it as a g to do, but underestimate its impact to change a life,” said Springbrook’s Pastor Matthew Woodford “There is nothing more powerful than a story to fuel the passion of people’s willingness to make a contribution ”

For more information or to watch other testimonies about the outreach of Operation Christmas Child, go to www samaritanspurse org

Financial advice from Dave Ramsey

and it has really changed her behavior and her outlook on life, spiritual matters and money for the better I could pay off t h e l o a n s f o r h e r , b u t I ’ m w o n d e r i n g i f there’s a better way to help

A: : If I were in your shoes, and I had the means to pay off her student loan debt without putting myself at risk financially, that’s exactly what I’d do

nances You could even go over your budget together line by line. Ideally an accountability partner is someone who’s ahead of you on a particular journey and can help direct you along the path to wisdom It’s their job to hold you accountable for what you’re doing and the decisions you’re making, for your own good!

A prodigal daughter

Q : M y d a u g h t e r u s e d t o l i v e a n i r r es p o n s i b l e l i f e s t y l e a n d w a s b a d w i t h m o n e y , t o o W h i l e s h e w a s i n c o l l e g e she also took on $20,000 in student loan debt Since that time she experienced a s e r i o u s i l l n e s s S h e ’ s r e c o v e r i n g n o w,

Sometimes the best gift you can give a person is to let them wallow around for a while in the mess they made Being forced to work your way out of bad decisions and irresponsible behaviors is a great remedy in lots of cases. But in this situation, with what you’ve told me about her previous health issue, and the fact that she’s now being responsible with money, behaving and making better life choices, I’d want her to be as free as possible as she takes up this new walk

My advice is to try and be a huge blessing to your daughter Right now, she’s a lot like the prodigal son She’s come around in her thinking and realizes what’s right and what really matters Give her the biggest hug she’s ever had Then, throw a party and write a check to knock out that student loan debt!

For more advice from Dave Ramsey, go to www IBSA org

Potluck Blogger

Lottie Moon Teacakes

Legend has it that these cookies opened doors for missionary Lottie Moon to share the Gospel in China Children who received the teacakes took Lottie to their homes, where she told their mothers about Jesus *Note: This recipe is adapted from Lottie’s original, since most of us today don’t measure flour in pints or have sour milk sitting around For Lottie’s true recipe, and to learn more about her, go to www wmu com and search “Lottie Moon ”

Ingredients

2 c flour

½ c butter

1 heaping c sugar

1 well-beaten egg

1 T cream

To prepare: Preheat oven to 475° Cream butter and sugar together Add egg and mix well, then add flour and cream Dust a board or surface with flour, and roll out the dough very thin Cut cookies with a round cookie cutter Place on a greased or nonstick cookie sheet, and bake for 5 minutes

Serve with tea, and remember to pray for missionaries serving around the world Many Southern Baptist churches will mark the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Week of Prayer for International Missions on Dec 1-8 Go to www IMB org for more about the offering

Send your favorites to MeredithFlynn@IBSA org

FIRST PERSON – Alex Nsengimana was interviewed in August by Matthew Woodford at Springbrook Community Church in Plainfield

@ the Crossroads

@ the Crossroads

Where ministry meets real life

Stop the whirl

Many Christians don’t like today’s faster pace

Life is getting more complicated, and tops among those put off by it are evangelical Christians and Catholics A new sur vey by Barna Research shows 71% of both groups find the growing complexity of life worrisome So do single adults and those who make less than $40,000 a year.

Of all U S adults, 71% want to keep up with the news but say it’s getting harder. More people admit skimming media rather than reading deeply; 35% say books are too long We are becoming a nation of “info grazers, ” says researcher David Kinnaman

But, before we begin a lament, the research group points out their dismay may be the church’s oppor tunity: 79% of practicing Christians want to know

that faith speaks to current issues in their lives So do 58% of all adults

Those who feel the growing disparity between the values of faith and the demands of life may turn to the church for assurance

The sur vey showed 90% of young

Boomers, Millennials teaming up

But what of Gen-X in the middle?

In a blog post on the worship wars (Truce reached!), Thom Rainer offers this nugget: Boomers and Millennials like each other “These two generations really seem to get along There is a mutual trust and respect between these two large groups They just seem to like each other Keep in mind the age differences here On the average, there is a 30-year difference in the ages of individual members of the two generations But they desire to be together and spend time together [It’s] fascinating to see worship styles meld as Boomers and Millennials come together ”

Rainer says Millennials appreciate a strong contemporary music style, inspired by the first rock generation, the Boomers

It appears Rainer ’s research confirms this old truth: grandparents and grandkids have always teamed up against their “mutual enemy,” the parents

Even at church

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE

Missionaries: Mike and Victoria Warren (with Donovan, Dayton and Gwendolyn)

Church Plant: Grace Family Bible

Church, Crystal Lake

Focusing On: A family-integrated church

Pray: As they focus on reaching and discipling men

adults are looking for resources to help them live more meaningfully Single adults (85%) and parents with kids at home (80%) are also seeking meaning.

“For Christians, these trends suggest that cultural interpretation and discernment can be a form of apologetic for faith,” Kinnaman concludes “In a fast-paced culture of complexity, believers can assist the broader society, perhaps like the biblical examples of Daniel and Paul, by providing a sor t of cultural analysis that leads to deeper understanding of meaning, the Church and Jesus ”

The challenge to preachers: explain life thoroughly, but keep it shor t

Trending...

compiled by Eric Reed

Shut off ‘da noise , shut off ‘da funk

Psalmist David recommended, “Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from your instruction” (119:18) Now scientists agree:

“Give yourself time every day to think, daydream and turn off the critical, self-censoring parts of your brain – especially by turning off electronic devices This allows the brain time to digest and synthesize what you've seen and experienced and to process your internal thoughts ”

And, perhaps, to hear from God

Unplug your kids

American kids are spending more time with media than they do in school That’s nearly eight hours a day for the average 8- to 10-year-old, and 11 hours a day for teens And it’s time to regulate their media diet, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

• Limit cell phone and electronic media use at meal times

• Set a bedtime curfew when media are turned off.

• No screens (TVs, tablets, phones, or computers) in kids’ bedrooms

The co-author of AAP’s new guidelines calls parents “clueless about their kids’ media use and how to manage it appropriately ”

Pray for a new church

Location: Sandwich, DeKalb County

Target: Families working in blue-collar jobs and military

Characteristics: Mainstay communities in small town and second cities Established neighborhoods where residents have strong ties

Prayer Needs: People willing to lead and participate in a church plant

– From the IBSA Church Planting Team

Budget Goal: $5,625,000

Received to date 11/15/13: $5,514,875

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM

Received to date in 2012: $5,480,409

Info from Barna org