News

Haiti, evangelism, budget top GBC Executive Committee
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published September 23, 2010

Stewart Simms, vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, brought a stirring message from the Old Testament book of Haggai for the Sept. 14 meeting of the Executive Committee at the GBC Missions and Ministry Center.

Louisville pastor to lead NAMB
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published September 23, 2010

After more than four hours in closed-door executive session, trustees of the North American Mission Board voted Sept 14 to approve Kentucky pastor Kevin Ezell as the organization's next president.

Preaching, teaching, fellowship highlight Black Church Week
By Polly House
Published September 23, 2010

Few conferences begin as early as Black Church Week. The early praise service began at 6:15 a.m., before breakfast or even coffee.

Chinese pastor, wife slain at church served by Lottie Moon
Published September 23, 2010

A Chinese pastor and his wife were slain Aug. 31 at Penglai Christian Church, where Lottie Moon, an icon of Southern Baptist mission work, served in the early 1900s in Penglai, China.

Kan.-Neb. reduces CP allocation; economy, 'direct missions' giving cited
Published September 23, 2010

The Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists has reduced the percentage of Cooperative Program receipts forwarded to Southern Baptists' national and international causes from 32 percent to 22 percent, the convention's news publication reported in September.

KBC task force calls for 50-50 Ky./SBC funding
By Drew Nichter, The Western Recorder
Published September 23, 2010

After eight months of discussions, the Kentucky Great Commission Task Force has released its report.

Stink-free pigs help present the Gospel in Thailand
By Marcus Rowntree
Published September 23, 2010

They needed pigs that don't stink.

NAMB staffers aid church for refugees
Published September 23, 2010

The early morning rain has passed and it's 9 a.m. on another "Thankful Thursday" as dozens of refugees - in pairs, as families, or in groups - stroll up to Clarkston International Bible Church.

Ezell meets NAMB staff, emphasizes church planting
By Mickey Noah
Published September 23, 2010

The first person North American Mission Board employees saw at the front door of the building on the morning of Sept. 15 was NAMB's newest employee, who greeted each of them with a smile and a handshake. It was the mission board’s new president, Kevin Ezell.

Closer to heaven, workers repair steeples and lives
By Kay Campbell, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published September 23, 2010

When William Thornton goes to work in the morning, all he can see is a cross lifted against the sky as he swings around the steeple of First Methodist Church 100 feet above the petty concerns of the city.

Ranier addresses 'new normal' to LifeWay trustees
By Micah Carter & Russ Rankin
Published September 23, 2010

LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom S. Rainer introduced several recommendations and initiatives in his "state of LifeWay" report to trustees to position the Southern Baptist entity to better accomplish its mission.

Baptist News Summary

LifeWay releases HCSB Study Bible
Published September 23, 2010

B&H Publishing Group of LifeWay Christian Resources has announced the release of the HCSB Study Bible, building upon the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation released in 2004.

Southern Baptists prepare for World Hunger Day Oct. 10
Published September 23, 2010

Relief workers are able to give hope to thousands of desperate families in Haiti and Pakistan because Southern Baptists have given generously to their World Hunger Fund, the executive director of a Southern Baptist relief and development organization said Sept. 13.

Golden Gate professor: Quran-burning harms witness, endangers others
Published September 23, 2010

Burning copies of the Quran would endanger Christians in other countries and also make it more difficult to share the Gospel with Muslims, a Golden Gate Seminary professor said after the pastor of a small Florida church called off a highly publicized Quran-burning event.

Religious NewsBriefs

Heaven trumps hell in Canadian poll
Published September 23, 2010

According to new poll, a bit more than half of Canadians believe in heaven, but less than a third believe in hell.

Army chaplain first to die in combat since Vietnam
Published September 23, 2010

A Baptist minister from Oregon who was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 30 is the first Army chaplain to die in combat since Vietnam, according to the Army.

Man sues Mormon Church over baptism back injuries
Published September 23, 2010

A Las Vegas man is suing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for medical expenses after he injured his back in 2007 performing baptisms for the dead.

Court rules that World Vision has right to hire, fire based on religion
Published September 23, 2010

World Vision, the Christian humanitarian organization, can fire employees who disagree with its theological tenets, a federal appeals court ruled Aug. 23.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published September 23, 2010

Honors
Published September 23, 2010

Ordinations
Published September 23, 2010

Ministerial Moves
Published September 23, 2010

Cooperative Program Stories

How does Cooperation work?
By John Bryan, state missionary, Cooperative Program Advancement and Endowment Ministries, GBC
Published September 23, 2010

Cooperation goes against the grain of self-styled ministry.

Bible Study

Sin is a Big Deal
By Aaron J. Werner, asst. professor of Christian Studies, Shorter University
Published September 23, 2010

Gen. 3:1-6, 16-19, 24; Rom.s 5:12-14
Family Bible Study Lesson, Oct 3

Why "Good" Isn't Good Enough
By Aaron J. Werner, asst. professor of Christian Studies, Shorter University
Published September 23, 2010

Is. 5:20-23; 6:1-5 Rom. 3:21-26
Family Bible Study, Oct 10

Columns

The naked public square
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published September 23, 2010

I remember Joseph Raymond McCarthy.

Five myths Christians believe
By Bill Fay
Published September 23, 2010

I used to believe that as long as I was "doing the Lord's work," God would protect me from physical harm with some kind of magic force field whenever I visited overseas mission fields.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published September 23, 2010

I thought becoming a parent was the most wonderful experience in the world.

Make a commitment before making a move
By Jim Daly, Juli Slattery
Published September 23, 2010