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Illinois Baptist State Newspaper

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Table Talk

Restoring fractured evangelicalism

November 9, 2016 By Eric Reed

The need of the hour is for evangelicals, Southern Baptists in particular, to process this awkward election theologically-not practically, politically, or emotionally—and identify the kingdom-worthy reasons for future political involvement. What are the few things we will stand for-that will bring us together in the name of Jesus Christ? Read…

Two Americas: Election demonstrates deep divides and challenges ahead for the church

November 9, 2016 By Eric Reed

For Christians, the issue today is how do we live Christ-like, now that the nation has chosen a president after a divisive and nasty two-year contest. “The most important lesson we should learn is that the church must stand against the way politics has become a religion, and religion has become politics,” said Russell Moore. Read…

Opting out is no option

October 13, 2016 By Stephen Nyberg

In a time of conflict over candidates and ideals, we as Christians have a duty and a moral obligation to be involved in the democratic process. We are called by our Savior to be salt and light. As salt we are to flavor the conversation of life with our Christian faith and values. As light we are to shine our light and point others to Jesus Christ. Read…

Three benefits of Baptist state conventions

October 13, 2016 By Baptist Press

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…

Pastor, go on a mission trip

September 2, 2016 By Sammy Simmons

I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t always understood why being on mission both personally and as a church is so vital. I used to skip the “missions” chapel services in seminary because I wrongly believed that missions and being a pastor were two separate callings. I just wanted to be a pastor. Sadly, the first church I pastored wasn’t very mission-minded because I wasn’t.  Read…

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Featured Columns

Scott Foshie

An honest word about our CP giving

Scott Foshie

The first six months of serving you have been filled with encouragement and hope. God is bringing a new season of harvest across our state, with rising attendance, baptisms, and outreach opportunities. We are answering his invitation to join him in his work as we say “yes” to opportunities to show up in the lives […]

Carmen Halsey-Menghini

What if leadership isn’t the main issue?

Carmen Halsey-Menghini

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on something Henry Blackaby said: “The church doesn’t have a leadership problem; it has a discipleship problem.” I’ve found myself thinking about that, especially when talking with pastors of smaller churches who are discouraged because they don’t see enough people stepping into leadership roles. What if the question isn’t “Why aren’t […]

5 things bivocational pastors wish you knew

Will Dole

If you had told me 15 years ago that I would be a bivocational pastor today, it’s doubtful I would’ve believed you. At the time, I was working—bivocationally—with a small parachurch ministry and desperately hoping to be fully funded so I could focus on ministry. It was around that point that a friend asked me: […]

More Columns

An honest word about our CP giving

Scott Foshie

The first six months of serving you have been filled with encouragement and hope. God is bringing a new season of harvest across our state, with rising attendance, baptisms, and outreach opportunities. We are answering his invitation to join him in his work as we say “yes” to opportunities to show up in the lives […]

News

U.S. Capitol

GuideStone, ERLC applaud Senate’s passage of Clergy Act

Roy Hayhurst

Dallas | The U.S. Senate passed the Clergy Act Wednesday (Sept. 30), which sends the legislation to President Donald Trump for consideration. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the act in April. GuideStone Financial Resources applauded passage of the bipartisan bill that would provide eligible ministers who previously opted out of Social Security with a […]

Moms reconnect at Super Summer—because their kids are attending

Prayer tours the Mother Road

More News Stories

Mission

World Cup scores for digital witness

Illinois Baptist Staff

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup roared to a close and Spain left holding the trophy, Southern Baptist churches and missionaries around the world prayed for impact that outlasts the hardware. Southern Baptists mission boards joined churches and associations in digital and in-person outreach, as North America hosted the World Cup for the first time […]

IMB trustees appoint new missionaries, elect first woman chair

Metro East church plant hosts multiplication meeting

More Mission Stories

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