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Eric Reed

7 BOLOs for the Dallas Convention

June 4, 2025 By Eric Reed

SBC25 Dallas

If the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Dallas June 10-11 proves to be a rowdy rodeo, we will “be on the lookout” for these issues. 1. The long arm of the Law Amendment. The open letter to SBC churches on a method to resurrect the Law Amendment virtually guarantees that someone will try it. Asked […]

Chatham Strong: When tragedy hits home

April 30, 2025 By Eric Reed

Rylee Britton

You expect to see the signs after a bombing or a school shooting or a natural disaster. But you don’t expect to see them in your own small town: “Chatham Strong” with its red ribbon has joined Boston, Uvalde, and Highland Park in declaring strength after tragedy. Perhaps it’s a plea more than a declaration, […]

The Southern Baptist President—more or less

December 29, 2024 By Eric Reed

Former President Jimmy Carter 1924-2024

Editor’s note: Former President Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100 after spending more than a year in hospice care. Rosalynn, his wife of 77 years, preceded him in death at the age of 96 on Nov. 19, 2023. Jimmy Carter put a new face on Southern Baptists, one that […]

Separation of church and…debate?

October 7, 2024 By Eric Reed

Eric Reed

A new poll of pastors’ preferences in the upcoming presidential election shows not only the divide between clergy in political terms, but also the difficulty in talking about politics, especially in church. Half of pastors indicated a preference for former President Donald Trump, one quarter (24%) chose Vice President Kamala Harris, but another quarter (23%) […]

ERLC’s Leatherwood wasn’t fired after all

July 23, 2024 By Eric Reed

Brent Leatherwood

Nashville, Tenn. | Brent Leatherwood appeared unemployed briefly on Monday, July 22. Then, in just few hours, the announcement of his firing was rescinded, and he was back in place as President and CEO of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission “with our support moving forward,” an ERLC Executive Committee statement said early Tuesday. […]

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Featured Columns

Dinosaurs

We need to talk about the dinosaurs

Chris Turner

I just wanted to know when dinosaurs lived. That’s it. That was the most profound biblical mystery swirling in my head when I began seminary. I landed in the survey class of a professor considered one of the Southern Baptist Convention’s foremost Old Testament scholars at the time. Surely, he’d know about dinosaurs. About 15 […]

Ill person

A response to physician-assisted suicide

Jeremy Bell

(Editor’s note: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is considering signing SB 1950, a bill passed Oct. 31 as House Floor Amendment No. 2 to the Sanitary Food Preparation Act by the state senate, that would allow physicians to help terminally ill patients end their lives. If he does, Illinois will join 11 states and the District […]

A place of genuine thanksgiving: Journaling God’s goodness

Tammie Emerson

(Editor’s note: This column was originally published on November 23, 2022. We liked it so much, we’re sharing it again.) Many years ago, I was in a Bible study where an author discussed the spiritual practice of rehearsing our trust in God’s faithfulness. There haven’t been many learning moments in my life that were as […]

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Foshie elected as next IBSA Executive Director

Eric Reed

Springfield | Dr. Scott Foshie was elected to serve as the 12th Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association by the IBSA Board of Directors meeting in Springfield December 9. Foshie will succeed Nate Adams, who will retire April 1 after 20 years’ service. Foshie will serve as Executive Director Elect until then, allowing […]

News

Church Needs Survey

Annual Church Needs Survey seeks input

Illinois Baptist Staff

The 2025 IBSA Church Needs Survey is now seeking input from pastors, ministry staff, and volunteer leaders from cooperating churches. The short survey, conducted every fall, provides valuable insight into the ministry help and missional opportunities churches value most from their state network. The results, released in late winter alongside statewide Annual Church Profile results, […]

Nine churches welcomed by IBSA

Giving Tuesday

More News Stories

Mission

“While we have not yet arrived at the destination we envision, I believe we are clearly headed in the right direction,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood to trustees in the May 22 plenary session. IMB Photo

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Leslie Caldwell

Richmond | International Mission Board trustees approved 65 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 21-22 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:08 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. The event will […]

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

Sallateeska baptism demonstrates SBC connections

More Mission Stories

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