Georgia Baptist Mission Board Blog
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NEW Podcast on Fighting Human Trafficking
It was honor to represent Georgia Baptists and be interviewed by Patrick Sullivan and Jon Sullivan on their new podcast on Human Trafficking called Go Beyond the X. The Sullivan’s are both apart of GRACE: Global Relief Association for Crises & Emergencies. Patrick is the Director of US Operations and Dr. Jon Sullivan, CEO of […]
How can I Make Disciples When I am too Busy?
I have often heard it said, “If you don’t plan your time, someone or something else will plan it for you.” Time is our most limited resource, and everyone has the same amount each day. Your day, my day, and everyone else’s is only 24 hours. The fantastic thing is that while most of us can get […]
Church Autonomy: What It Is and Why It’s Important
The following information in this article was put together the by the Alliance Defending Freedom Ministry Alliance Team member: Scott Blakeman. Its purpose was to inform Americans on the legal term of church autonomy and how it relates our First Amendment rights. Feel free to contact me at mgriffin@gabaptist.org if I can be of help to you […]
What can God do with a bunch of gospel-trained believers?
Seventeen-year-old Logan Glover is a junior at Jones County High School in Gray, Georgia. He’s also a member of Greenwood Baptist Church where Kim Washburn is pastor. I had lunch with Pastor Kim a couple of weeks ago and he told me about this young man who had a heart for reaching the lost and […]
Trabajando Juntos: Su Convención Estatal
Trabajando Juntos: Su Convención Estatal El pasado verano, durante el retiro de familias árabes, una familia de origen musulmán fue bautizada en el lago de nuestro centro de conferencias. Fue algo increíble ver una familia de ese trasfondo bautizarse y profesar públicamente que Cristo es el Señor. Su apoyo en su Convención Estatal hizo esto […]
Fortalecimiento de las Iglesias Hispanas de Georgia
Hace un año exactamente uno de nuestros hijos tuvo una lesión donde tuvo que ser intervenido quirúrgicamente para reparar uno de sus ligamentos. Después de la operación, inició un proceso para afirmar su tobillo. Después de semanas de terapia y mucha oración, hoy en día a vuelto a las canchas de fútbol. Aquel proceso de […]
The Lonely Pastor: Building Community is Closer than You Might Think
We live in a world full of people who describe themselves as lonely. Recent statistics paint a picture of the loneliness of our society. Loneliness has adverse health effects equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day 1/3 of people in marriages are lonely 35% say they have no one to turn to when they are […]
8 Useful Questions to Help You Share Your Faith
“What is your favorite dessert?” Did you get the picture of it? Did you remember how it smells or tastes, or that it was eaten at grandma’s house? Couldn’t think of anything else, could you? Columbia Business School cites neuro-science research that shows the brain can only focus on one thing at a time.[1] When […]
Talk the Spiritual Talk, Walk the Spiritual Walk
I am a very organized person. The first thing I do when returning from my gym is to lay out my workout clothes for the next day. One morning I came home from my workout and chose a pair of shorts and an Atlanta Falcons shirt for the next morning. However, my schedule changed and […]
5 Truths about Disciple Making
I recently had a chance to interview a couple of church planting experts about their experiences with making disciples while planting new churches and replanting/revitalizing dying churches. Of course, a few things were particular to the planting context; however, our conversation reminded me that many things are foundational to disciple making, whether you are a […]
Hammond: Our goal is to support, resource pastors
In an interview with Dr. Gerald Harris, former editor of The Christian Index, Executive Director Thomas Hammond shares the vision of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, as well as insight on the Southern Baptist Convention. Question: What has been your greatest joy in your service to Georgia Baptists in this third year of ministry with […]
The Show and Tell of Evangelism
Do you remember when you were a child in elementary school and we would do show and tell? Remember that awesome moment when someone would bring in a pet for example as a part of show and tell? What I loved about this activity was it really didn’t matter what the objects were. The most […]
Engaging with Your Community Through Facebook
By Meredith Harris If you’ve led a Facebook page for your church for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced frustration at the lack of engagement on your page at one point or another. You may have felt that you’re not doing enough or posting enough to get the attention of your church family, and […]
Do you know anyone at this church down the road?
All of us, church members and pastors alike, talk about how hard it is to do evangelism in our local context. There are many reasons why it is hard and all of us have heard most of the obstacles. I want to share a simple way to open the door to sharing your faith that […]
Conflict
By Rachel LovingoodMinistry Wife, Speaker, Author Conflict. Not something that I like or ever look forward to. Most people don’t. But it is a part of all of our lives. Especially since we are leaders. Now you may be like a few people I know who sort of thrive on conflict (and if that’s true, […]
Where do I start?
One of the great joys of being a Christian is sharing your story. The story of how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. But one of the greatest challenges as a Christian is how to begin the conversation of Christianity with friends and family that you have known for years. Recently I had a […]
4 Keys to Getting Your Groups Back on Track Post COVID-19
By Dr. Steve R. ParrGwinnett Metro Baptist Network It was just over one year ago when the pandemic became such a serious concern that businesses, schools, and churches closed down in-person experiences. At worst, people were operating from fear and at best from an abundance of caution. I don’t judge anyone regarding decision making given […]
April 3in3
Pastor and church leader, I know you are busy preparing for Easter Sunday! Whether you’re meeting online, in person, or both, we appreciate the time you and your staff have given to celebrating and honoring our Savior’s resurrection. Know we are praying for you as you welcome guests and share your heart with your congregation. […]
5 Steps of an Effective Guest Follow-Up Strategy
It is easy to neglect or overlook guest follow-up. In a single staff church or as a bi-vocational pastor, it can seem overwhelming to be the person who has to do it all. After all, getting people through the door is more straightforward than getting them to stick around. So ask yourself: How effective is […]
The Secret Sauce for Connecting Guests to Groups
With Resurrection Sunday just around the corner – even with COVID-19 lingering on – excitement builds as we anticipate the guests and occasional attendees who will fill our worship centers. Our creative wheels turn when we dream of engaging these guests who become Christ-followers and regular attenders. What’s your strategy? The key is connection. How […]
3 millionaire principles to reach your evangelism destination
“So, You Want to be a Millionaire?” People want to be rich. They want the lifestyle and the things that come with financial freedom. This is true of so many that the habits of millionaires, billionaires, and successful people in various disciplines have been reviewed and evaluated so others can learn from them. The hope […]
3 Small Steps to Equipping Disciple Makers
If the last year with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board has taught me anything, it’s that our pastors and staff truly desire to lead disciple-making churches. Many have recognized that programs and personality have failed us in producing disciples who make disciples. Most stand at a crossroad looking for answers and begging for someone to […]
Witnessing Opportunities are Here, There, Everywhere
An Unlikely Witnessing Opportunity The other day I was teaching some pastors and leaders The Domino Effect. This is a strategic training on creating a culture of evangelism in the local church. The auditorium was being remodeled and, as I was leaving, I noticed a few construction workers on their lunch break. I went to […]
Answer this: What does Jesus’ greatest temptation teach us about disciple making?
I love a good game of Bible trivia! My father-in-law and I were bouncing questions back and forth. He asked me about the first mention of the word Sabbath. I asked him which of the Ten Commandments receives the most-robust explanation in Exodus 20 (stay tuned, both answers are at the end of the article). […]
3 Ways to Encourage Your Church Family to Serve
No matter its context, attendance, or location, every church faces the same challenge: How do we mobilize our church family to serve? As churches seek to fulfill the Great Commission and effectively minister to the needs in their congregation and the community, there will always be a need for people to serve. Consider the following key […]
5 Strategies for Building Strong Relationships Between your Church and Community
“A Church in the Community for the Community.” That was the slogan of a church where I served as pastor. We wanted the community to be able to identify with us. The desire was not to just be a fixture or monument in the area or seen as a building without any significant impact or importance. Our church wanted to be a […]
Egg Your Neighbor
Take advantage of the Easter season to “egg” your neighbors with the love of Jesus! Download a three-page resource with a supply list, instructions, and customizable cards and letter to give to your neighbors. SUPPLIES Plastic eggs Paper to print gospel flyer for each neighbor Individually wrapped candy Bible verses printed Marker/pen Grocery bag Scissors Painter’s tape […]
Cultivating Teachers to Produce World-Impacting Disciples
The goal of teaching God’s Word is transformation, not connection. A connection may be the first stone on the pathway to spiritual maturity, but Christ-likeness is the goal. COVID-19 has brought a season of uncertainty to our Sunday school and small groups. Some groups have not survived. Others have successfully mastered the world of online […]
Keep the Flame Hot: Linking Evangelism and Discipleship
Remember using a burner for the science lab in school? We learned from our teacher how to trim the fuel and oxygen mix to produce a blue flame because that was the hottest flame we could get. This allowed us to properly heat whatever liquid or solid that we were working within the lab. Evangelizing our […]
The Equality Act’s Threat to Religious Freedom
The following information in this article was put together the by the Alliance Defending Freedom Ministry Alliance Team. Its purpose was to inform Americans on the impact a Federal “Equality Act” would have on our First Amendment rights. Feel free to contact me at mgriffin@gabaptist.org if I can be of help to you or your […]
Getting Your Groups Back and Better than Before
It started back in March 2020. We were pressing into getting our worship online or perfecting our online worship, and figuring out how to pass the offering plate without using one. Churches and leaders were creative and innovative, demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion. While this energy was spent well in these areas […]
12 Steps to Making Your Events Evangelistic
Most churches schedule events that they hope will bless their community and reach lost people. Churches that don’t organize and prepare for the event are often disappointed in the lack of fruit and low attendance. Event evangelism can be very effective, but it must be built on a foundation of prayer and planning. There are […]
False Reasons Behind Legalizing Sports Betting
Once again Georgians will be faced with the possibility of gambling expanding in our state. You can watch the latest update on the Georgia Baptist Public Affairs Facebook page. Two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled on a court case that opened the opportunity for states to allow legalized betting on sports. For the seventh year […]
Watershed Discipleship: During COVID-19 and Beyond
“As believers engage in multiple layers of ministry, you will see a higher rate of connection, stronger commitment, and deeper levels of spiritual maturity. Providing a balanced framework of ministry opportunities is crucial to grow and sustain a healthy church.” Discipleship Perseverance in COVID-19 To have James 1:3 perseverance from testing our faith, we need […]
Why a Church Should Adopt an Intentional Disciple-Making Pathway
Programs are NOT Producing Every church should purpose to make disciples of Jesus Christ in ongoing relational environments that seek spiritual maturity and multiplication. Many churches in our lifetime have depended on programs to reach people, retain people, and make spiritually mature disciple makers. This plan is not working. Dr. David Kinnaman, President of the […]
Public Affairs Committee hears update from Alliance Defending Freedom
This post originally appeared in the Christian Index. By Myriah Snyder DULUTH – The fight for religious liberty, our ability to live according to our faith, is under attack, Harrison Smith, regional alliance director for Alliance Defending Freedom, told the Georgia Baptist Public Affairs Committee during its meeting on Dec. 4 at the Georgia Baptist Missions […]
Recap of 2020; looking forward to 2021
We hope you are having a good start to your new year! Instead of my traditional 3 announcements in 3 minutes, here is a more in-depth overview of several important items. I’ve provided a list of the topics with timestamps so you can fast forward or mark your place as you watch the video.
Learning Communities
Are you interested in hearing best practices gathered from leading churches across the nation? Perhaps you are looking for professional collaboration, memorable fellowship, skill development, or a safe place where you can participate in an honest conversation? Just maybe you have felt like this leader in South Georgia: “Full transparency, this is the hardest […]
4 Signs You’re a Normal Christian
What does it mean to be a normal Christian? Lamar LaGrone was surprisingly and miraculously saved out of a lifestyle filled with the world’s vices. When Lamar was saved, he immediately began to share with everyone who would listen about the difference Christ made in his life and how they also could be saved. It […]
NEW Voter Guides: Georgia Senate Runoffs
As we did in October, we are going to be providing Georgia Baptists with voter guides. These new guides are intended to help you choose the candidates you will vote for in the January 5 Senate Runoff. It is important once again that you know as much as possible on the candidate’s positions on issues […]
Make Baptism a Big Deal with These 5 Easy Activities
Over the last decade, baptisms have been on the decline in our churches across America. In totality, the Southern Baptist Convention reached a historic low of 246,000 baptisms per year. For perspective, the last time we had a similar number, the SBC was half the size it is today. We have doubled the churches, but […]
5 Keys to Celebrating Evangelism Through Stewardship
Evangelism is the very heart of Christianity and biblical stewardship is managing the resources that God has entrusted us with. As a result, I believe that effective evangelism happens as a result of individuals partnering to help advance the gospel. Having worked in the nonprofit arena for more than 20 years; I had the privilege […]
How Does Evangelism Change After We Regather?
What happened? There I was in 1972 … with long hair and no waist, listening to 8-track tapes and wearing bellbottom jeans. Phones had long cords and rotary dials. You could cruise town all night in a brand new Ford Pinto ($2,000) because gas cost only $.55 a gallon. And we all plunked down $1 for the […]
Shifting the Mindset of Discipleship
Your mindset determines so much of your daily decision making. A mindset is your beliefs, ideas, and attitude toward a circumstance or challenge that you will take action on. For example, I grew up in Ohio and learned to drive in the snow and ice. When I drive over ice, I have a mindset that […]
Is Your Church Ready to Start Living the D-Life?
Church revitalization is a trendy topic at ministry conferences. Most leaders are eager to learn about this important matter. But how many times have you participated in a session on the subject only to leave without a tangible plan for achieving it? Let’s be honest. The best way to experience revitalization in your church is […]
Navigating the River of Disciple Making
I will never forget the time I went canoeing with a group of youth down a local river. When we arrived at the entry point, assignments were made to be in each canoe. I was assigned a canoe with a young man who had suffered a previous accident leaving him paralyzed on one side of […]
Voter Guides: An Important Educational Tool
As always, I want to thank you for your support of the Public Affairs Ministry this past year. We’ve had wins and losses. These wins and losses are a constant reminder that elections have consequences. This is true whether it is local, state, or national. It is the people that we put in office that […]
4 Ways to Make Sure Your Small Groups Ministry is Healthy
If there is any “good” to come out of our current COVID-19 crisis, it’s that churches have been forced to reexamine the health of their current programs and ministries. What was working to help create disciples nine months ago may no longer be as effective. It has also helped shine a spotlight on ministries that […]
The Domino of Prayer
Prayer is More than Me I began to follow Christ when I was a teen. I was in a family that did not go to church. My mom did not attend, and neither did my brothers and sisters. My parents divorced when I was very young, and my dad lived on the other side of […]
5 Surefire Ways to Recruit More Volunteers
“I don’t have enough volunteers.” Have you ever heard a ministry leader in your church say this? Perhaps you have said it or at least thought it. Here’s a question to ponder: Can we ever have enough volunteers? I am convinced that one of the biggest mistakes that I have made in ministry was to assume […]
5 Steps to Gain More From Your Message Series
During COVID-19, there was a good deal of experimentation with small groups. There were groups meeting through Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, Facebook, Zoom, and other forms of media. What was extremely interesting was not the medium through which they gathered, but rather the content that drove their meetings. There was a great deal of traction gained […]
Seniors Returning: What Does the Future Hold?
Almost one-third of Southern Baptist church attendees are seniors over the age of 65. Some can’t wait to get back to worship, their group, and their places of service. Others want to come back; but due to their current situation, they simply cannot or will not. Church leaders are pondering the best way to help […]
Patience: Don’t Hold Your Breath
Patience is a tricky thing.When present, it is life-giving, and when lacking, a destroyer. If you think about it, patience is required in all aspects of life. So, how is your patience these days, sister?Are you patient in the process … under stress?Are you patient with your spouse … with your children?How about with yourself? […]
Domino of Personal Evangelism: Ignite an Evangelistic Culture
The Georgia Baptist Evangelism Strategy is built on building an evangelistic culture in your church using The Domino Effect. The dominoes are seven biblical principles that produce a cumulative effect with each domino creating momentum to build a culture of evangelism in your fellowship. The Domino of Personal Evangelism is an effective way to engage […]
Choose to Hope When There is Loss Upon Loss
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth — a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil. And he has maintained his integrity, …’ Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin — he blesses […]
Men’s Ministry: It’s OK to Dream Small
Does your current ministry to men feel like a valley of dry bones? Are you looking for ways to breathe new life into your men’s ministry? Are you contemplating your next event or outreach strategy? Maybe it’s time to change things up a little. Go against the flow. Think about efficiency and effectiveness. The answer […]
When You Can’t Travel: Keep Your Grip on International Missions with Just 4 Tips
By now there are very few places untouched by the lifestyle changes required to adjust to COVID-19. Travel restrictions and social distancing seem to be common bywords, and that affects how we think about missions – especially international missions – in the near future. So how does an evangelical Christian balance the call to be […]
Effectively Fill in the GAPS of Evangelism
One of the biggest struggles pastors face when it comes to raising the evangelism temperature of their people is getting them to take the message from the pulpit, internalize it, and live it out when they leave the church building. I know pastors are sharing passionately with their people the need to go and share […]
OPINION: The sacred responsibility of voting
According to the Scriptures, God has given mankind the stewardship responsibility of ruling over all His creation. In Genesis 1:25, God says that mankind is to “rule over all the earth” (NASB). Therefore, being a steward over what God has put us in charge of is every person’s responsibility to some extent or another. In […]
Best 15 Tips for Restarting Sunday School Well
We are all doing something we’ve never done before. Just about every church I know is not having in-person Sunday School and now many are working on starting back. I have received lots of calls and talked with lots of leaders. Here are some top tips to restarting your Sunday school: SET A DATE. Find […]
6 Ways to Emotionally Support Your Husband
The well-worn word that marks many sentences during the COVID-19 crisis is “unprecedented.” The upheaval of an unimaginable nearly world-wide quarantine has shaken up almost every person, organization, company and system – including the Church. We are married to the men who lead churches. Our husbands are pastors, leaders, shepherds, entrepreneurs. Many are highly trained, others have […]
Build Well: 6 Lessons from Nehemiah
Nehemiah 2:18, “Let us rise up and build,” is a familiar passage of Scripture and also the theme that many churches use when they are planning to renovate or make additions to their facilities. Here are a few things that Nehemiah faced. Church leaders should consider these points as they plan: What is your “Why?” […]
Point 6: Trust God – I Will Enjoy My Life While HE Works Out My Struggles
This post is the final piece in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” Read the previous post here. “Commit your future to the LORD! Trust him and he will act on your behalf.” Psalm 37:5 I have learned that, when going through a crisis, I need to be careful not […]
Point 5: Stand Firm – Feet Planted – Believe God Fights for You and With You
This post is the fifth piece in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” Read the previous post here. Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Some of the bravest women I know are those who escape violent relationships. I have seen women of […]
Importance of Tutoring Children & Youth and ReadGeorgia Ministries
There are children in every school system who are struggling – most of them with reading. The Church can easily address that need. Teachers do their best to address the needs of their students, but with 20 or more of them in each class, it is impossible to give individualized attention. Most schools welcome volunteers’ help […]
Point 4: Know the Enemy Only has the Power and Influence We Give Him
This post is the fourth in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” Read the previous post here. “So, submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 Influence is a powerful thing. We can allow the influence of others to bring out the best […]
Turning Online Volunteers into Online Ministers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our churches. With many churches moving worship online, and planning to continue to do so, how will your church empower volunteers to help you address this new platform? Many pastors use their phones, laptops, tablets, and anything else that could connect online for streaming services. This new online initiative launched […]
5 Things Churches Need to Know about Elections
Even though I have been a pastor for 35 years and a lobbyist for 13 years, I am still challenged with what the proper role of the church is in government. I am thankful for organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and their willingness to help churches define their proper role in things like elections. […]
Starting or Reinventing a Ministry to Senior Adults
Ministry to and with older adults is changing. In an unstable world, this provides a unique opportunity for churches to start or revamp the way they approach ministry to senior adults. We not only want to provide ministry that helps this age group reach and disciple their peers, but we also want to provide ministry […]
6 Ideas to Serve Schools Well as Students Return
School staff are preparing for a challenge they have never encountered before – returning to school during a continuing pandemic. Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and a just-in-case Plan D are all in place. Administration leaders are going over every detail of each scenario. Teachers are working on lessons, hoping to bring some type […]
Point 3: Remember that Faith is Not a Feeling; It is an Action
This post is the third in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” Read the previous post here. “Even when I must walk in the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; our rod and your staff reassure me.” Psalm 23:4 I love my tribe. This tribe […]
Killing the Sacred Cow: 5 Ways to Avoid the Horns
What comes to mind when I say “sacred cow?” Perhaps you are thinking to remove plaques in the church foyer of people who “built” the church, replacing the organ, or maybe changing the expected worship attire. Whatever the case may be, most congregations have “sacred cows” that leaders would love to change but are hesitant. […]
Point 2: Courageously Confront the Fear and Back It Down with God’s Word
This post is the second in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” Read the first post here. “I repeat, be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.” Joshua 1:9 Grandbaby number four was on […]
Is It Time for a Facility Checkup?
Most of us probably have an annual checkup with our doctor. This is an important part of staying healthy and catching potential health concerns early. Every year, my doctor orders bloodwork and conducts a full physical. He asks lots of questions and encourages me to engage in healthy activities such as exercise, healthy eating habits, and proper […]
Sunday, August 9: Courage
Georgia Baptist Convention President Robby Foster challenges Georgia Baptists to have the courage to act upon the things God has taught us during our week of prayer and fasting.
Saturday, August 8: Wisdom
James 1:5-6 (NIV)If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. We have all […]
Friday, August 7: Renewal
2 Chronicles 23:16 (NIV) Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord’s people. The word “renewal” is defined as “an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption.” This year has been filled with many challenges that have interrupted our normal day-to-day lives. These are experiences that […]
Thursday, August 6: Salvation
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. As we look around our nation in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, global protests, […]
Wednesday, August 5: Healing
Mark 2: 4-5 (NIV) Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” In these […]
Point 1: Recognize that Fear is a Demonic Spirit
This post is the first in a series of posts called, “A Six Point Battle Plan Against Fear.” “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 We have a serious problem. Those words from my husband Fred’s gastrologist slammed into my brain with […]
Tuesday, August 4: Unity and Harmony
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Imagine this kind of unity […]
Reaching and Discipling Men Fulfills the Great Commission
As I travel throughout Southeast Georgia and speak with pastors, I often ask the question, “How is your men’s ministry?” Following the eye roll, the response is usually two-fold. “We’re hanging in there, but numbers are falling.” Or, more prevalent, “We no longer have a specific men’s ministry.” This has led me to ponder: Is […]
Monday, August 3: Repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. REPENTANCE: This word communicates the idea of turning. It is a […]
A Look at the Treatment of Churches during COVID-19 Shutdowns
When the government punishes one behavior and rewards another, people take notice. That’s because the government’s actions send signals about what is good and what should be avoided. So when the government treats churches worse than casinos, gyms, and bars in its COVID-19 response, we should all be concerned about the message it is sending […]
Hospitality is Not Hostessing
For many Christians, hospitality is seen as a nice gesture to offer, but only if you have the ability, time, space, or finances to host. I think this is because our culture often confuses hospitality with hostessing. This confusion is seen in these pretty common statements, that I’m sure we’ve all heard…or even said: “If […]
Why Small Groups?
Understanding the Why Perhaps, like my wife and me, you have at one time had the privilege of parenting a 4-year-old. As the mom and dad of four little boys, we have had this opportunity twice and will soon have again. We’re certainly not “experts,” but — having walked through this season several times now — we […]
Transform Your Home into a Missions Outpost for Your Neighborhood
The quarantine isolated families in their homes. Many during this time became extremely creative about how they could minister to their neighbors. In fact, homes became missions outpost all over Georgia. One thing that was discovered during this time: That it could be done. Moving out of quarantine doesn’t mean we should move away from […]
Prayer Week Introduction
Each day there will be a new prayer prompt. You can bookmark and follow along right here in this section or download the prayer guide. Monday, August 3: Repentance(video and devotion added on Monday) Tuesday, August 4: Unity and Harmony(video and devotion added on Tuesday) Wednesday, August 5: Healing(video and devotion added on Wednesday) Thursday, […]
July 24, 2020: David Melber to Join Staff as COO
DULUTH — David Melber, former president of SEND Relief for the North American Mission Board, began as chief operations officer for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board on July 15. In his role, Melber will oversee GBMB financial services, human resources, Disaster Relief, associations, and all property and facilities. “David Melber provides a wealth of experience and expertise to this position,” said Georgia […]
A First-Hand Look at Food, Relationships, and Physical Wellness
Food, Relationships, and Physical Wellness As a minister of the gospel, a meal goes with almost every emotion, occasion, or relationship-building activity. Growing up as a large guy, I embraced who I was early on and never struggled with my size. Also, growing up in a Baptist home, I embraced that a good meal or […]
Ministering in the Midst of Protests
I couldn’t be more proud of Teresa Royall, our Baptist campus minister at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. She ministers in the midst of one of our most culturally-diverse BCMs and recently shared with our staff a series of experiences that impacted her and motivated her to minister more effectively. This is written from […]
The Big 4 of Sunday School
The Sunday school (your ongoing Sunday morning small groups strategy) is the best tool you have to do Great Commission ministry. But nothing good will come from classes and groups if you put them on autopilot. You’ve got to be intentional! I think that too many times we focus on the wrong things with our […]
5 Ways to Spread and Make Worship Contagious
Contagious: something that is transmissible by direct or indirect contact with an infected person Webster The noun form for this is “contagion.” In this period of COVID-19, we are discovering a new vocabulary. We have heard terms like “asymptomatic,” “super spreader,” and “shelter-in-place” expressed more in the last 30 days than in the previous 30 […]
Heartbeat Bill: Struck Down but Not Defeated
One of the most important pieces of legislation passed the Georgia legislature in 2019. It was HB 481, The LIFE ACT (Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act), also known as the Heartbeat Bill. Soon after Governor Brian Kemp signed it into law, a lawsuit was filed against it in Federal Court. Federal District Judge Steve […]
Extend Grace: Don’t be like the Chickens!
Grace, Chickens, and Sheep Many times in Scripture, God compares His people to sheep. And though, I admit, we can be dumb and smelly, there are times when we, especially women, can act more like chickens. You see, chickens peck at each other. Sometimes they do this because they are bored. Other times, a weakness […]
Bless your graduates. Here’s how.
As our high school seniors become graduates, it is both a difficult time and one for celebration in the life of a church. That reality is even more difficult this year with the effects of COVID-19. Many of the traditional “rites of passage” simply don’t exist right now. Graduation services are virtual and seem hollow […]
How Church Leaders Can Have Simple, Effective Virtual Meetings & Follow Up
The traditional way of holding meetings, making follow-ups, taking notes, assigning tasks, and scheduling meetings by church leaders has now taken a new shape. The leaders do not have to meet with their staff members or hold church committee meetings physically. With the current technological trend, meetings can take place anywhere and at any time. […]
Following Jesus Together: Following Him so that our Children can Follow Us
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me as I always imitate Christ.” As parents, we should be able to say to our kids, “Copy me as I try to copy Christ.” Or better yet, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Children will do what they see. I’ve often heard it said, “More is caught […]