It’s just very, very good for our Baptist family in Illinois to be together. As the year draws to a close, it is good for us to assemble, and network, and be inspired, and remember that we are not alone in this mission. Read…
Columns
No more single issue elections
In this head-scratcher of election cycles, some evangelicals are valuing other issues as highly as pro-life and religious freedom: What about a candidate’s trustworthiness, honesty, temperament, and character? What is his or her history of relations with dangerous nations, prudence in peacetime or courage in war? Read…
Great Partners
Across the state this month, hundreds of IBSA churches will receive the Mission Illinois Offering, focused on reaching more than 8 million lost people here in our state. Some offerings will total a few hundred dollars, and some several thousand. But together, they help form a powerful partnership in the gospel that gives my prayers joy as well. Read…
Three benefits of Baptist state conventions
The Southern Baptist Convention is organized through state conventions (though some of the “state” conventions combine multiple states). I suggest to you that these state conventions play a helpful but underappreciated role in the work of our faith and denomination. There are some benefits to the work of our state conventions that ought to be considered: they keep us locally focused, they connect us, and they support us. Read…
MIO: Investing in churches
Now is the time of year when most Illinois Baptist churches are preparing to promote and receive the annual “Mission Illinois Offering,” which is devoted to advancing the gospel among more than eight million lost people, right here in our state. … Local churches are our greatest missionary asset as Illinois Baptists, and our investment in their health, growth, and leaders is as important as planting new churches, reaching college campuses, or meeting human and spiritual needs. Read…