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Eric Reed

Leaders object as ethnic staff cuts sink in

September 27, 2023 By Eric Reed

Eric Reed

The story of David and the little ewe lamb comes to mind, as staff cuts at the SBC Executive Committee sink in. Among the five full-time staff and two contract workers terminated to save money, two were heads of ethnic ministries. For a denomination that has seen significant growth among ethnic groups and language ministries […]

What will keep us together, SBC?

June 8, 2023 By Eric Reed

Eric Reed

If The Captain and Tennille were correct, love will keep us together. To employ an even more dated reference, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus said that, and John wrote it down about two thousand years ago. But do we dare ask, […]

Preaching after suicide

May 2, 2023 By Eric Reed

Preaching after suicide

The call about Bill’s death came as a surprise. A year or so after his wife died, Bill seemed to be doing well, publicly, at least. He talked a little about how quiet his house was and how much he missed his wife of more than 50 years, even though their last decade was mostly […]

Asbury’s Tik-Tok Revival

February 20, 2023 By Eric Reed

People lift their arms in worship at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky. (Kentucky Today/Robin Cornetet)

Let’s hope it’s real. Shall we say that at the outset? The sight of hundreds of students singing, praying, and confessing at the altar in their college chapel for two weeks is uplifting for us all—if the revival is real. Tiny Asbury University has a history of spiritual outpourings. But this may be the first […]

The waiting game

September 1, 2022 By Eric Reed

The waiting game

One of Mr. Rogers’s songs comes to mind: “Something to do While We’re Waiting.” The announcement that the Department of Justice is investigating the Southern Baptist Convention came with no reference to a timetable. It was the SBC Executive Committee that said DOJ had subpoenaed records pertaining to their handling of sexual abuse allegations. DOJ […]

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Featured Columns

A Committed Church: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Maurice Gaiter

In a recent trip to Haiti, I heard a Haitian pastor illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ. A man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn’t afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to […]

Paul Cooper

What’s greater than independence? Hebrews 10:19-25

Paul Cooper

We got news from my sister in New Mexico, and my brother, Dave, immediately called me. He wanted to see her, but the 20-hour drive was too hard to do alone. It would be easier with his brother. We could share the load. Even so, we would spend more than half our time on the […]

Our nation’s half-celebration at 250

Eric Reed

During these red, white, and blue months, YouTube keeps sending me a video clip. It’s King George’s solo from the musical “Hamilton.” Amid endless rapping and stamping of boots and swishing of tailcoats by Founding Fathers, a lone figure walks slowly to center stage, decked in satin knee breeches, ermine cape, and a crown. And […]

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What rural churches can do

Karen Willoughby

Sicily, Italy | “The goal is to get the gospel out,” said Steve Brown, a missionary in Europe serving as a team leader through the International Mission Board (IMB) for 22 years, the last five based in Palermo, Sicily. He recently came up with a new strategy for doing so, specifically designed to appeal to […]

News

Photo courtesy of Michael Byrd

Former IBSA Pastors Conference speaker, Send St. Louis church planter, announced as historic AMS appointment

Scott Barkley

Ferguson, Mo. | Michael T. Byrd, Sr.’s background in ministry began as a 19-year-old preacher before moving into the pastorate and associational work, all in his native St. Louis. It’s that experience he’s eager to put into practice as the new executive director of the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association. He told Baptist Press that […]

Mindy Cobb’s endless summer

New Illinois laws raise concerns for Baptists

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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