October 1, 2021 Illinois Baptist

Multiple choice

Which of these 3 words describes your church right now?

Nate Adams

Life lessons

‘Crisis of trust’

Sex abuse investigation process raises questions of trust and responsibility

Nashville, Tenn. | The SBC Executive Committee (EC) voted to spend $1.6 million on the investigation into their own actions concerning sexual abuse in the denomination, but the 86-member panel was divided on a recommendation by the independent firm conducting the probe to waive attorney-client privilege. The recommendation failed in the EC board meeting on Sept. 21, but remained unresolved after the EC held a special-called meeting on Sept. 27, and granted a second seven-day extension for hammering out a contract.

What emerged was a tug-of-war between EC leadership and the Sexual Abuse Task Force appointed to guide the investigation into the EC’s handling of sex abuse claims—and what some leaders are calling a crisis of trust within the denomination.

Attorney-client privilege was one issue. A second issue was who would sign the contract with Guidepost Solutions, the outside company hired to investigate— the Task Force or the EC itself, which is the subject of the investigation. The broader debate among Southern Baptists has become whether the EC was following messengers’ instructions in the June Annual Meeting.

New ground

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

Copy Editor - Leah Honnen

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The BIG Baptist family album

Illinoisans on the Mission Field

Pray for the Jordan family as they plant Cornerstone Bible Church in the Austin area of Chicago’s west side. Henry, wife Tia, and their children Trae and Layla seek to bring change to all generations through the word of God.

Pray the news: Towering witness

20 years after its dedication, the giant cross at Effingham remains a significant witness to the 14 million travelers who drive by each year. Pray for its salvific impact.

Your Cooperative Program gifts at work

NATE ADAMS

Surviving, reviving, thriving

This past summer, our weekly chapel times at IBSA were devoted to a series titled “Summer in the Psalms.” This book of songs and poetry, of course, gives expression to a wide range of emotions, from the lows of our woes to the heights of our worship. In doing so, it reassures us that God meets us everywhere in our human experience.

One of our speakers this summer reflected on an observation from one of his seminary professors that has stuck with him for years. That professor noted that every psalm basically describes one of three human experiences: surviving, reviving, or thriving.

When he’s barely surviving, the psalmist openly expresses his desperation. When reviving, he speaks of pain, but also of hope and recovery. And when thriving, words can barely contain his joy and exuberance and his celebration of victory.

Of course, our lives are multi-faceted, and it’s possible to experience all three of these at once. We may be thriving at work while reviving in our personal health and barely surviving spiritually. Or we may be thriving in our relationships and simply surviving at our jobs. In fact, a great selfdiagnostic exercise could be to sit with some trusted friends, identify the main arenas of your life, and then share openly with one another whether you are thriving, reviving, or surviving in each area, and why.

That same type of assessment can be valuable in the life of a church. Would you or the members of your church say, “My church is thriving,” or that it is in the process of reviving, or frankly, that it’s just surviving?

Wherever your church finds itself today, God’s desire is that each church be on a journey toward thriving. Your church is the body of Jesus Christ in your community! He wants it to be healthy and vibrant, regardless of surrounding circumstances.

How are you and your church on the journey?

That’s why “Thrive” is the theme of both the IBSA Pastors Conference and the IBSA Annual Meeting this year, hosted in Springfield November 2-4. It’s a theme anchored in Acts 16:5, which describes thriving churches with these simple words: “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.”

In the exhibit hall at this year’s meeting, there will be a conversation area where you can discuss with an IBSA consultant the question, “What is our church’s next step toward thriving?” That question is central to our network’s new mission statement, which is to “Deliver network value that inspires each church to thrive in health, growth, and mission.” I hope you and others from your church can come and begin that conversation. Whether you can come or not, it’s a conversation we at IBSA would love to have with each church.

18,000 students in six SBC seminaries are training for ministry. The education of these students, including this small study group at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is supported in large part by faithful giving in SBC churches.

Giving by IBSA churches as of 9/29/21 $4,152,543

Budget Goal: $4,530,778

Received to date in 2020: $3,921,825

2021Goal: $6.2 Million

One thing I love about the book of Psalms is that it acknowledges and empathizes with all three of these life experiences. In the Psalms, God has given us his own inspired words to talk back to him even when we are reviving, or just surviving. In every case, the posture of the psalmist toward God is the same. He turns to God, expresses his emotions freely, then declares his dependence and trust in his Creator, his King, his Savior.

God wants us to come to him in faith and obedience at all times. But it’s clear that it delights him when we and our churches are not just surviving or reviving, but moving toward thriving. So wherever you find yourself or your church, ask yourself what the next step toward thriving might be. And then if we can, let us help you take that next step.

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

From the front: executive committee

Continued from page 1

“What does this even mean?!” EC member Adam Wyatt from Mississippi called out in the first Board meeting that was described by witnesses as tense and exhausting. The EC’s lawyers advised against waiving attorney-client privilege because it might open the EC and the SBC to more lawsuits in the allegations of sex abuse, first reported by the Houston Chronicle in 2018.

EC secretary Monte Shinkle of Missouri responded to Wyatt, “What this means is that we are doing some extremely hard lifting. We want the investigation while also maintaining our fiduciary responsibilities. It’s our best-hearted effort to do both,” he said.

Wyatt responded, “If we don’t do what the messengers said, we are telling messengers they are no longer in charge.”

Where it all began

Upon hearing reports by EC President and CEO Ronnie Floyd that the panel that coordinates distribution of Cooperative Program funds had planned to conduct an internal investigation of its handling of the sex abuse allegations within the denomination, messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting in June voted to require an outside investigation. Incoming SBC president Ed Litton appointed a new Task Force to lead the investigation and a third party was sought to conduct the work.

In the September EC Board meeting, the third party, Guidepost Solutions, recommended that the EC waive its attorney-client privilege to allow more open sharing of information with the denomination. After much debate, the EC approved a motion to fully fund the Guidepost Solutions budget of $1.6 million through Cooperative Program funds. It also voted to require EC officers and the Sexual Abuse Task Force to agree on a contract in seven days without waiving attorney-client privilege.

At the close of the meeting, the issue had not been resolved to the satisfaction of some EC members. They issued a statement: “We join with the messengers who desire justice for survivors of sexual abuse, and we feel that this cannot happen so long as the Executive Committee forbids an open and transparent investigation, which must include the waiving of privilege.” Signees included EC Chair Rolland Slade

“Our convention is struggling right now and it’s a crisis of trust,” Litton told the EC at the start of its meeting. “Our churches want to see our entities working together in harmony, and they want to see the EC leading the way.” What was simmering at that point grew to boiling over the next two weeks.

“There’s a huge cloud over our convention right now,” said Bruce Frank, chair of the Task Force. “A nonprofit that doesn’t have the trust of either the messengers or the mission or the missions

field is going to be impacted far more by not dealing transparently with any mess than if they deal honestly with it.”

During a seven-day extension for resolving the issue and signing a contract with Guidepost Solutions, a broader rift between EC leadership and the Task Force became apparent. Online debate included calls from pastors to defund the EC, which receives 2.99% of Cooperative Program funds for the SBC operating budget.

And at one point, a twelve-page document was sent to EC members during their special-called meeting, saying Russell Moore engaged in ‘blatant deception’ while serving as president of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The letter, by ERLC member and Missouri attorney Jonathan Whitehead, questioned Moore’s actions. A letter written by Moore and leaked to the press in Feb. 2020 detailed a rocky relationship between himself and the EC. Moore also accused the EC of mishandling the response to sexual abuse allegations.

According to a report in the Tennessee Baptist & Reflector, Moore’s actions were “committed by consciously concealing from ERLC trustees information that was eventually leaked to the press ahead of the 2021 annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting and that was intended to ‘trigger a polity and trust crisis among SBC messengers.’”

Many comments on a crisis

As the Twitterverse was flooded with comments, additional leaders joined Litton in calling the situation “a crisis.”

After the second Board meeting, Litton issued a statement: “As Task Force Chairman Bruce Frank made clear today, there is no question about whether the investigation will take place. The only question that remains is whether the Executive Committee will pledge its full support and cooperation to this process by adhering to the messengers’ direction. I remain prayerful that the Executive Committee will ultimately choose to take the necessary step of waiving attorney-client privilege and demonstrate that its commitment to full cooperation is more than mere words.”

Frank said his Task Force and EC leaders were not in agreement, despite reports that the relationship was harmonious. Frank also said the Task Force would forge a contract with Guidepost

Solutions, possibly without EC consent. EC board action extended the period for executing a contract to Oct. 4.

The presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries commented publicly, expressing support of the Task Force and its positions.

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary in Louisville, expressed his sentiments in a written statement. “There are some, including some members of the Executive Committee, who are sincerely seeking to understand how to decide some difficult matters. But if the authority of the Southern Baptist Convention means anything, it means that the only real decision is how to comply fully with mandate of the messengers, not whether.”

Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen shared his thoughts with students in the seminary’s chapel service. “I’m praying and working to the best of my ability that we as a convention of churches quickly, metaphorically speaking, put out this fire,” Allen said. “[That we] see to it in every way that it is handled responsibly, faithfully do the will of the messengers. So we can move on and move forward, onto the greater and grander things that God has called us to do on the mission and ministries front.”

Executive Committee leaders respond to concerns

The SBC Executive Committee responded to calls on social media for it to agree to waive attorney-client privilege and sign a contract with Guidepost Solutions. An SBC Executive Committee spokesperson stated in a Sept. 30 media release that while EC leadership appreciated the engagement of Southern Baptists, there is concern that “too many of the statements issued reflect disinformation, half-truths, and mischaracterizations of the motives and actions of the Executive Committee.”

It also stated the EC was working with the Task Force to be “transparent” and making “no attempt to defy the messengers or hide information from investigators.” The statement said the EC’s desire is to accomplish the will of messengers “without risking unnecessary damage” to the SBC. The release said “the Task Force admits their process may cause the loss of the Convention’s insurance.”

Their hope, it said, is for an “ultimate decision which merits the vast majority of the Board’s support so that all Southern Baptists can be confident in the final product.”

RONNIE FLOYD

ROLLAND SLADE

ED LITTON

BRUCE FRANK

– by IB staff, with reporting from Nashville by Baptist Press, The Baptist Paper, The Baptist and Reflector, and Religion News Service

Prep for Afghan refugees

Preparing for an influx of Afghan refugees, the American Red Cross contacted Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) August 27 with a request for supplies in anticipation of Afghan refugees’ arrival in Chicago. IBDR volunteers Pam and John Danner delivered a load of diapers, baby wipes, sanitary wipes, and personal hygiene kits. More than 500 refugees are expected to settle in Illinois in the coming months according to the Refugee Action Network.

“We are thanking God for the privilege to serve,” IBDR coordinator Sharon Carty said regarding providing the supplies.

Aid to hurricane recovery

IBDR delivered food and supplies to Mandeville, La., to assist with recovery after Hurricane Ida slammed the coast. “We sent three semis to the staging area immediately, and prepared for more,” said State Director Butch Porter. The Illinois team is well positioned to provide food and sanitation supplies with the emergence of the distribution operation based in Mt. Vernon during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Illinois team partnered with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief to operate their feeding kitchens. “We have needs on both sides of the border,” Porter said of the relationship between Illinois and Missouri Baptists adjacent to the Mississippi River, “and so there are times when we pool our assets and personnel. We’re glad to support Missouri as they set up feeding kitchens on the Louisiana coast.”

Board readies for Annual Meeting

$6.2 million budget approved, forwarded to messengers

Springfield | In a reminder that the Covid19 pandemic isn’t over, the Illinois Baptist State Association Board of Directors met virtually for its fall meeting. Board members heard a report from IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams regarding the network’s efforts to assist churches through changing times, and voted to send the 2022 budget to messengers at the Annual Meeting.

The Sept. 14 board meeting was to have been held in-person at the IBSA Building. After some staff members contracted the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid following an Aug. 31 staff retreat, the Board meeting was moved online.

Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, Adams described the 2021 goal updates as “a mixed bag.” Cooperative Program giving through churches is up 5% over 2020, but down 5% from the same time in 2019. He noted as many churches and other organizations have reported, IBSA’s online connections are in a somewhat “lackluster phase due to so many people having online fatigue.”

While thankful to have Streator and Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camps reopened with safety measures, camp attendance was down by about half. “We’re glad to have camps back, but certainly they have taken a hit from the Coronavirus,” Adams said. He noted the inability to lead church planting activity and organize mission trips “has hit us hard.” IBSA has a strong affiliation pool, with at least 14 churches applying for membership at the IBSA Annual Meeting.

Adams described IBSA’s work as changed by the pandemic and by what churches say they need. Shifting needs are changing “how we’re doing things dramatically.”

• 2022 Cooperative Program Goal of $6,200,000 and a Cooperative Program ratio of 56.5%/43.5% (IBSA/SBC), excluding shared expenses not to exceed 10% of the Cooperative Program Goal, and with Cooperative Program funds received beyond the budget goal to be distributed at a ratio of 50%/50%.

• An amendment to the Constitution allowing Board members to serve no more than two consecutive terms in any one elected board office will be brought for a first reading.

staging area. Missouri is operating the Incident Command Center, utilizing Illinois volunteers with their teams.

Teachers team up

Three retired Illinois teachers were featured in national coverage of Disaster Relief work in Louisiana. When Ken Cummins and Jeff Marquardt were wrestling coaches, they coached at rival schools in Illinois. When asked which team won more often, Cummins said slyly, “Well, Jeff’s team, I guess, but there were extenuating circumstances.”

Marquardt said, “It’s cool because I’ve known Ken for years through different teaching connections and wrestling, and now we get to go out together through this work.”

Thankfully, they have been able to put their rivalry behind them. With Wayne Laechelt of Aurora, the trio of teachers has served together around the country. They arrived in Mandeville Sept. 5 to offer cleanup and recovery work with chain saws.

When talking about the endurance required, Cummins, 77, takes it back to the Bible. “We take Sundays off, just like the Book says,” he said with a smile. “But I’ve been doing this since 2003. I’ve committed to doing this until I can’t anymore.”

After a brief break, Laechelt and his wife, Bev, were among IBDR volunteers returning for another twoweek deployment.

– IB staff, with additional reporting by Maggie Evans of the Alabama Baptist

IBSA is completing its second year with vision consultation firm Denominee and its director, Will Mancini. “Churches are telling us they need help moving from where they are to the next step,” Adams said. With Denominee, IBSA staff members who relate directly to churches are working on the idea of next step conversations.

IBSA staff will consult with church leaders on this in 2022. The goal is “to have a transformational upside-down inside-out approach. It’s not just about what programs we ought to be doing.” It’s about meeting the church leader “where my challenge is, and getting me unstuck from where my problem is.”

Adams stressed, “We are openly, but cautiously trying to customize what we’re hearing from our consultants, because we don’t want to throw out things that are working for our churches.”

November preview

Adams told the Board, the theme for the Nov. 3-4 IBSA Annual Meeting in Springfield is “Thrive.” It “speaks to the season our churches are in while moving from pandemic into a new stage of life.”

The meeting will celebrate 50 years since the Association’s relocation from Carbondale to the center of the state.

The Board approved the following motions to be sent to messengers at the IBSA Annual Meeting in November:

Board members approved a conflict of interest policy allowing board members to receive honoraria for leading IBSA functions totaling less than $600 per year.

The Board recognized Executive Assistant Barb Troeger for 10 years of service with IBSA. Outgoing officers were thanked for their service during the 2020-21 term: Chair Andy Dewitt, Vice-Chair Tim Rhodus, and Secretary Mike Jameson. Members rotating off the Board were thanked: Alma Bonner (2015-2021), Danny Donato (20152021), Tim Rhodus (2016-2021), Jacqueline Scott (2015-2021), and Jay Simala (2014-2021).

New Board officers elected for 2021-2022 are:

• Chair – Jeff Logsdon, pastor of Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington

• Vice Chair – Bruce Kirk, pastor of Alpha Baptist Church in Bolingbrook

• Secretary – Terry Foster, deacon at First Baptist Church in Metropolis – Lisa Misner

Hydrick exits

Denny Hydrick will leave his position as executive director of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services by the end of November.

The Mississippi native has accepted a job in his home state which will place him near family.

Hydrick made the announcement at a board meeting on Sept. 23. Hydrick has served BCHFS since Aug. 2016, when he succeeded Doug Defore, who marked 43 years at BCHFS including 21 as its head.

During his tenure, Hydrick led Illinois Baptists’ century-old family services agency to open GraceHaven, a clinic located in Mt. Vernon to assist pregnant women. “We have got to do something to avoid this tragedy in our state,” Hydrick said after Illinois liberalized abortion regulations. The clinic opened in late 2019.

First Baptist Church of Mandeville, across Lake Ponchartrain from New Orleans, is hosting the

Roadside cross has giant impact

20 years and 140 million views of the largest cross in the U.S.

Effingham | “Twenty years ago, there was a question as to whether to carry on with that dedication,” Roger Marshall recalled of the opening ceremonies at the giant cross in Effingham. The ceremony had been planned for September 16, 2001. That was just five days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. “But it was decided it would be a good thing to do–and it was,” Marshall said at a twentieth anniversary commemoration at the base of the massive cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 70.

“We had a great turnout,” said Kayla Deters, who volunteered to oversee the anniversary event, which was attended by about 200 people, most bringing their lawn chairs. “It was an opportunity for the community to celebrate 20 years since the cross has been here. The cross is such a symbol of this community. This was an opportunity to share that with others.”

ROGER MARSHALL

As pastor of First Baptist Church in Effingham at the time, Marshall had participated in the first ceremony.

“People came to this place looking for some sign of hope,” Marshall said. “The cross is a symbol that gives us hope, gives us light, gives us the possibility of something even beyond the darkest of moments.”

He remembered turning the lights on for the very first time during that first dedication. “Before the evening was over, the cross was lit up for everyone to see,” he noted. “It was a special night.”

The idea of the cross was first introduced by John and Fran Schultz, who saw a similar structure in Groom, Texas. With the support of people like Bud Althoff, Henry Poterucha, and Marshall, the idea gained momentum. “John told us about seeing the cross in Texas and wondered if something unique like that could happen in Effingham. That’s how it all got started.”

When completed, the cross was 198 feet tall and 113 feet wide. It consists of more than 180 tons of steel set in a concrete foundation that is 40 by 40 feet and 20 feet deep.

Deters was happy to volunteer because of the impact the cross has had on her life. “Sometimes, if I’ve had a bad day, I see the cross and drive to it,” she noted. “I can go there for some quiet time to reflect. When I’ve been gone, it’s so heartwarming to drive back into town and see the cross. It’s such an important part of our community.”

It is estimated up to 40,000 cars pass by the cross each day. That means nearly 14 million cars a year and 280 million over 20 years.

There have been countless stories from visitors and travelers about the impact the cross has had on their lives. Marshall, now an IBSA zone consultant serving six Baptist associations surrounding Effingham, mentioned one young man who was on his way to tell his parents goodbye and then to commit suicide. That was before he drove by the cross, and as a result, changed his mind. Hosts at the adjacent welcome center receive many reports from people affected by their encounters at the cross.

“For 20 years, it has been a symbol of faith, hope and life,” Marshall told the crowd. “It’s a reminder that Jesus Christ died on the cross (of Calvary) for our sins. He was buried and on the third day, he rose again. He did all of that as forgiveness for our sins. That’s the message of the cross. And for many more years to come, it will continue to have that message.”

The age of choice and stress

I belong to multiple Facebook groups that I use as a way of relieving stress. People in one group search listings of homes for sale to find the most unusual ones. Lately, I’ve noticed a small group of women in that group making disparaging comments on posts showing houses for sale in Texas. Their comments aren’t about the houses, but the state and what a place terrible place it is for a woman to live.

Because of this, my mindless activity that I use to de-stress, isn’t so stress-free anymore. They wait a few minutes and if no one bites (replies), they post another comment about their real topic—Texas’ new law banning abortion after the first six weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes arguements ensue. These days, the topic of abortion seems to be everywhere—even in my formerly stress-free zone.

On Dec. 1, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case from Mississippi that will challenge Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that made abortion legal in this country. The Court’s decision won’t be announced until late spring 2022.

Abortion advocates are in a frenzy over what they see as a serious threat to a woman’s “right to

choose.” Do they ever stop to contemplate what they are really choosing to do? Choosing to end a human life that is an extension of their own flesh and blood, fearfully and wonderfully made. There are already efforts to render any decision by SCOTUS as irrelevant. California Rep. Judy Chu introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755) into the U.S. House seeking to codify the “right” to abortion into federal law. It passed in the House along party lines. It’s already happened on the state level in Illinois, when the 2019 Reproductive Health Act (RHA) was signed

into law. Regardless of the SCOTUS decision in the pending Mississippi case next year, RHA proponents say abortion would still be legal in Illinois. When the new law in Texas preventing abortions after six weeks went into effect Sept. 1, there were several court challenges, but none have been so far.

“Abortion road trips” are being reported from Texas to neighboring states, just as they were to Illinois when Missouri closed all but one abortion clinic. This month abortion clinics in Illinois also reported more calls from women in Texas about scheduling abortions. Hope Clinic in Granite City and Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights have been frequently cited in press reports as seeing an increase in patients. Sad to say, business is brisk in our state. The list for appointments is growing in those clinics, because other states have been successful in limiting abortions while Illinois liberalized the rules.

And for those of us praying for legal and divine intervention, the wait gets more stressful.

Lisa Misner is IBSA’s manager of social media and public policy. She is a contributing editor to the Illinois Baptist.

– Adapted from an article by Steve Raymond, Effingham-Teutopolis News Report. Used by permission.

AT THE CROSS – About 200 people celebrated the 20th anniversary of the giant cross in Effingham. IBSA’s Roger Marshall shared stories of life-changing encounters there.

Trends from nearby and around the world.

Numbers: Giving drops

Welcome

Farewell

49% of American households gave to charity in 2018, according to a new report. In 2004, the average was a high of $1,866, dropping to a low of $1,290. As for religious institutions: in 2000, 46.5% of American households average giving $1,107 dropped to 2018: 29% of households averaged giving $771

Reed Tallman is the new pastor at the First Baptist Church of Patoka. Tallman served in churches in Tennessee and Indiana before coming to Illinois. He and his wife, Anna, have four children with one more due in October. He enjoys soccer, lacrosse, and motorcycles.

Larry Rhodes retired as IBSA Zone 8 Consultant in September. He served as zone consultant five years after a lengthy ministry in worship leadership. Rhodes will continue to serve his home church, Bethalto First Baptist, as an elder.

- Indiana University

People: Martians?

44% of weekly churchgoers believe there is intelligent life beyond earth, compared to 77% of nonchurchgoers.

Global: Overreach

A church in Ontario, Canada was fined $85,000 for violating Covid restrictions, on top of the $83,000 fine imposed by the government in February. “Jesus is worth it,” wrote Trinity Bible Chapel’s pastor Jacob Reaume.

Larry Wells, 82, died in Cary, N.C. August 21. He was former associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Machesney Park and an IBSA Board member serving as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Ordained at 19, he served churches in Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, Arizona, California, Illinois, and North Carolina. Wells also wrote Southern Baptist literature. His wife of 60 years, Wilma, died in March. He is survived by a daughter, son-inlaw, and four grandchildren.

Dennis Morgan, 60, died in Fenton, Mo. Sept. 4. He formerly pastored Faith Baptist Church in Freeburg and Millstadt Baptist Church. He served 8 years in the U.S. Air Force and 28 years in government intelligence. Morgan also served on the IBSA Nominating Committee from 2006-2009. Morgan is survived by his wife, Sheryl, five sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren.

Culture:

Meanwhile, the vicar of All Saints Church in Dorset could be booted by the Church of England. Rev. Charlie Boyle removed his mask while singing the last verse of a hymn on Easter Sunday.

Faith: Top praying cities

Barna Research asked U.S. adults if they pray at least weekly. The national average was 64%, dropping steadily from 83% in 2012.

Here are the top locales:

Monroe, LA.....94%

Evansville, IN.....93%

Augusta, GA.....91%

Tyler-Longview, TX.....90%

Montgomery, AL....90%

Florence-Myrtle Beach, SC....90%

GROWING

The church still matters

ve never seen the idea of the church so marginalized in all my lifetime. The secular world mocks the church and the Christian world devalues the church. The local church is seen, even by believers, as unnecessary and antiquated and optional.

You can kind of understand the issues perhaps. After all, churches are filled with imperfect people. Churches often have a well-earned reputation for being argumentative. They frequently get sidetracked by secondary issues. They sometimes lose sight of their purpose. Critics can accurately point out all the problems, failures, and imperfections of the church.

But, with all of that said, the church still matters. There is great inherent value in the work of the local church. There is value and purpose and potential in this institution. Here are three reasons why the church still matters.

1. God made the church.

If the church was man’s idea, we might rightfully ignore it. But it isn’t. God formed the church and he did it for his own reasons. He knew that the church would be made up of imperfect people. He knew every pastor and every small group leader would be “frail as dust and feeble as frail,” the hymn says. But he formed it anyway. We ought not easily turn our backs on something God created.

And, I note that God’s word admonishes us that we ought not be in the habit of “neglecting to gather together” according to Hebrews. This isn’t the word of your pastor or your grandmother. God is the one who calls us to gather. God’s command is reason enough to connect with an imperfect church filled with imperfect people.

We might not understand why God formed the church, but we can’t escape the fact that he did. We may not see the value of the local church, but God apparently can. We need to remember this important truth: the church is a God idea.

2. We need each other.

I don’t think every Christian believes that. I think many believe they can be just fine on their own—no need for fellowship or accountability or encouragement from other believers. But the longer I live, the more I see the importance of other believers in my life.

Don’t underestimate the enemy. He loves to divide and conquer. He wants you to be spiritually isolated. He knows the Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17) He tells you that you don’t need anyone else because he wants you to be vulnerable and ineffective. But, the Spirit of the Living God reminds you of the value of other believers. We disciple others and are discipled by others. We benefit from the wisdom and zeal and encouragement that comes from worshiping and learning with others. Never have believers needed each other as we do now!

3. We are stronger together. I had a friend who lost his little finger in an accident. He told me how amazed he was at how much grip strength he lost just from that tiny digit.

The church is described as the body of Christ. We all have different gifts and backgrounds and personalities and perspectives. But, we function best when we work together. We are stronger in missions, evangelism, discipleship, and worship when we are connected.

The church separated is weak and ineffective. The church connected is powerful beyond the sum of her parts. The church can prevail against the very gates of hell. You will benefit from others and others will benefit from you. You need the church and the church needs you.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy connection to a local church. God will use this institution made up of imperfect sinners who have found the perfect Savior to impact you and your world. Find a church, plug in fully, and participate actively.

The church still matters.

The Learning Curve

reading & reCommendaTions

BlueLetterBible.org

BLB has been a gamechanger in Bible study. Free to use with cross references, text commentaries, and Strong’s concordance, BLB helps me answer questions regarding historical context, Greek words, and more.

Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Great podcast I listen to when driving. Franklin Graham’s daughter shows people how to live with fearless faith in a compromising culture.

Doug Munton is pastor of First Baptist Church of O’Fallon. He blogs at dougmunton.com. This column is from a series that also focuses on revival and holiness. They still matter too. Not a Fan

Kyle Idleman

I meet with five guys weekly, and this book took us to task. Each chapter gave us a new way to share our journey together and learn how to walk with Christ objectively.

– Rachel VanBebber Meadowbrook Church, Auburn SWBTS student

– Marcus Schomburg College Ministry Director Red Hill Church, Edwardsville

– Ken Steward FBC, Bethalto Associate Director, BFI

You were right. That’s not what they meant by “family reunion.”