5 Mistakes Pastors Make with Church Finances

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April 4, 2023

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

How likely are pastors to make mistakes in church finances?

I came into ministry after a long business career, so I’m sometimes considered unique in my involvement or interest in our church finances. I work closely with our business administrator and finance committee on the budget and administration of our church finances. I have been known to negotiate contracts, meet with bankers and I can intelligently analyze financial statements. I also learned so much about finance from financial advisor speaker Jerome Myers.

Working with different churches over the years, I’ve seen lots of approaches by pastors in this area of finances. Some are completely hands-on, while others run from the issue completely. It’s helped me form some thoughts around the topic; specifically some mistakes I think we can avoid.

5 Mistakes Pastors Make with Church Finances

1. Not knowing anything

The pastor doesn’t have to be business-minded. He can surround himself with wise counsel, but the pastor needs some basic knowledge in order to lead the church effectively. Learn to read the financial documents of the church. Get some basic training in financial terms so you can lead people well. Especially in today’s world of speculation and trust issues, those who give to a church want to know that leadership has a handle on the finances of the church before they are willing to invest in the mission.

2. Handling too much

The pastor never, ever, ever needs to be the sole person to handle money. That is a grave church finance mistake. I’m careful even when someone hands me a check in the hall. I quickly find someone on our finance committee or our business administrator. I would never want to sign checks. As pastors, we have to remain “above reproach,” and that’s especially true in this area of finances. For appearances, but also to guard our own heart. Temptation is huge for all of us in the area of money.

Bible Listening: How Audio Technology Deepens Our Understanding of God’s Word

By

Yvon Prehn

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April 4, 2023

Bible listening — how technology can deepen your knowledge of God’s Word

How do you imagine the average Old Testament believer in God carried around all the scrolls needed to learn God’s commands? Or how did early New Testament believers study Paul’s letters or learn about the life of Jesus? Did they have their own copies of his letters or the newly written gospels to study? The answer to the above questions, though we seldom think about it, is that for most of church history, very few believers had access to the written Word of God. For them, their knowledge of the Word came from hearing — from listening to it read aloud in small group settings. That’s why Bible listening can deepen your understanding of God’s word.

Bible Listening

In the Old Testament, we read about the book of the law read to King Josiah and his court in 2 Kings 22, and of Ezra who:

. . . [Ezra] read from [the book of the Law] facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law (Ezra 8:3).

Centuries later, the words of God were still being shared — and read aloud:

In Col. 4:16 Paul says “And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read before the church at Laodicea.”

Continuing through centuries of church history, people did not have personal Bibles but heard it read through the liturgy of the church as they gathered week in and week out.

Reading is wonderful, but this year, try Bible listening

My primary spiritual discipline is to read through the Bible every year, in chronological order. This year as I prepare to teach the Scripture, I’m encouraging the people in my church to LISTEN to the Bible. If you haven’t gone through the Bible in this way, I strongly encourage you to try it. You’ll literally hear new things and understand it in a way you haven’t before.

3 Ways to Make Your Palm Sunday Through Easter Sunday More Meaningful

By

Dan Wilt

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April 3, 2023

3 Ways to Make Your Palm Sunday Through Easter Sunday More Meaningful

Original article appeared here.

I heard her singing downstairs, as always. My wife, one of the most remarkable human beings I’ve ever met, is also one of the most devoted followers of Jesus I know. She was humming “In Christ Alone,” and I, upstairs, was listening.

The reason for her song? Palm Sunday. It is the beginning of what is called “Holy Week,” the celebration of the biblical moments leading up to Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday (called “The Great Triduum”).

Ordering Our Spirituality Locks Us In
Spiritual rhythms come hard to us, and yet anyone who has ever followed an Advent devotional, attended a Good Friday service or fasted something they love for Lent, knows that a spirituality that has a little bit of order can be a good, good thing. Like having a solid drummer in a band, it’s easier to lock into the shared sound if we have a pattern that is consistent and reliable.

I have three suggestions for those wanting a bit of “spiritual rhythm” to make their Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter more meaningful. Some of these tools I’ve written/created, but there may be others you could recommend below these.

1. Get a devotional and follow it.

Devotionals are great because they provide an established rhythm to your reflection over Holy Week. They provide a brief meditation you can use to begin or end your day, and a little drink of water can be very refreshing in an otherwise dry time.

I use many tools for my devotional life through this season. I’ll note a few I and others have collaboratively created, and a few others, for your resource.

Rise An Eight Day Easter Devotional
Palm Sunday Through Holy Week

This devotional is short, sweet and is designed to take you through the entire Holy Week experience, starting on Palm Sunday. Available in print and digital from Vineyard Resources.

The Victor and the Prize
A 7-Week Easter Devotional for Individuals & Families
for the Easter Season

This devotional starts Easter Sunday and takes you through every Sunday of “Eastertide” (the 50-day Easter party) up until Pentecost. Also available in print and digital form from Vineyard Resources.

Dunn & Wilt Holy Week & Easter (2 Min. Devotionals)
MP3 Devotional for Cars and Home

This free download audio devotional takes you through Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is my favorite work we’ve done, and reflects on my devotional with Cook Publications, A Well-Worn Path.
.

Trail to the Tree: An Easter Devotional
Ann Voskamp

This free devotional download is by respected author Ann Voskamp (One Thousand Gifts). There is nothing Ann writes that isn’t remarkable.

2. Settle into some services, and make concrete plans to be there.

There will always be a Stations of the Cross service, a Good Friday service and an Easter Sunday service somewhere that you can plan to attend.

Make it a big deal with the family, and feast afterward according to the day. Palm Sunday should kick in with some sense of festivity; it is a moment to celebrate Jesus, the one who “comes in the name of the Lord.”

A few years ago, my daughters and I took in an Easter Vigil service that went from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at a cathedral in Boston. The lights rising over the first hour, the blast of Alleluias at midnight, and the baptisms that followed to the sounds of choral and orchestral rejoicing were all wonderful markers of the most important event in human history.

3. Create an Easter playlist, and keep it running at home and in the car.

Like my wife singing in the morning, lock into the songs that hold you in the Easter message. Find your favorites, and buy them. A song in your heart will be the best devotional material you could have through Easter.

I love fresh worship music that takes me somewhere unique. I always love what comes out of the Morning and Night Collective every year (and I’m a part of it), as well as some of the usual miracles of projects that come out every year.

Burn a CD, and keep that Easter list in your car and on your phone for occasions you can make the musical choice to reflect on Easter. Then, play that list all week. When the Easter Season begins—Eastertide—you have 50 days to rock the Easter music. Lead up to it, and linger in the gifts of new life.

A Few Ideas to Get You Going

These are just a few reference points and resources to get you going. Share some of your favorite resources, and lean into an “ordered spirituality” to help you get the most out of the season.

Porn-Free Family Plan: Be Prepared to Protect Your Kids

By

Tim Challies

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April 3, 2023

A porn-free family plan is essential to safeguard kids of all ages from harmful online content. Youth workers: Please share this helpful information with parents at your church!

I’m a father of three children who are fully part of the digital generation. They’re as comfortable with iPods as I am with a paperback. They’ve only ever known a world where almost everyone has a cell phone at all times. Social media is a teenager’s rite-of-passage, and every home has five, 10, or 20 devices that can access the world via the internet.

Yet I know of dangers lurking out there, waiting to draw them in. I want to protect my children in a world like this. But I also want to disciple them to live virtuously, to use technology for good purposes, not bad.

I believe this is a crucial part of my calling as a parent. To address this great need, I assembled what I call The Porn-Free Family Plan. I designed it to protect my kids from online dangers so I can train them to use devices and technologies well.

The Porn-Free Family Plan

A thorough anti-porn plan must account for three types of devices:

Fixed devices. These will only ever be used in the home. Here we have desktop computers in the home office or Internet-enabled televisions and gaming consoles. Parents can have a significant level of control over these devices.
Mobile devices. These are laptops, tablets, smart phones, and other devices that can be used in the home but also carried and used elsewhere. Parents can have a lesser degree of control over these devices.
Other people’s devices. These are the computers children may use at another person’s home or the tablets other children may show to friends. Parents can have no control over these devices.

This porn-free family plan has two broad goals. It confounds those who want to see porn and shields those who don’t. And while the plan is geared specifically to combat pornography, it will also help battle other online dangers.

A 4-Part Porn-Free Family Plan

This Porn-Free Family Plan has four important aspects:

1. Plan.

You’ve heard the maxim: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. That applies well to what we are attempting to accomplish here. A successful plan must account for every device in your home that combines an Internet connection with a screen. So let’s get to work.

Step 1: Inventory.

You need to know exactly how many Internet-enabled devices are in your home. So you must take an inventory. List all your Internet-enabled devices: desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones. Don’t forget the Playstation 3, Xbox, smart TVs, Apple TVs, iPods, and e-reader tablets. Even a Kindle reading device has basic web-browsing capabilities. A family recently reported they were shocked to discover they had 22 devices to account for!

Step 2: Budget.

Decide whether you can make Internet security a regular and recurring monthly expense. Where it used to cost money to access pornography, today it often costs money to avoid it. While there are free options available, the best services have a cost associated with them. A budget of $20-$25 per month will allow a family to take advantage of the premier options.

Step 3: Learn.

Now that you have taken your inventory and have a better grasp of the devices your plan needs to account for, it is time to learn about the options available to protect those who use them. There are four broad categories of protection we have available:

Filtering. Filtering proactively detects and blocks objectionable content. (Examples: If your child does an Internet search for “naked girls,” it will block the search; If your child mistakenly clicks a link to a pornographic web site, it will block access to the site.)
Accountability. Accountability software tracks web sites visited from different devices and then prepares and delivers regular reports. (Example: If your child visits a pornographic web site or performs a search for “naked girls,” the accountability software will note it and include it in a report emailed to you.)
Parental controls. Parental controls block certain functions of modern devices (Examples: Preventing the use of the Internet browser on an iPod Touch; preventing the use of the Facebook app on a tablet).
Communication. We can’t rely on technology to solve all our problems. So the plan must also involve regular, deliberate and open communication.

Because none of these offers complete protection, the wise plan must use some combination of all four. The Porn-Free Family plan uses the following tools:

OpenDNS. OpenDNS uses filtering to automatically block objectionable web sites for every device connected to your home network. It is activated by making a small change to the settings on your existing router.
Covenant Eyes. Covenant Eyes tracks the web sites visited by your computers and mobile devices and sends regular email reports; it also offers optional filtering that can be configured specifically for each member of your family.
Parental Controls. Parental controls allow parents to disable certain functions on devices.
Meetings. The most indispensable tool is regular, open, deliberate communication between parents and their children.

Step 4: Discuss.

Before you begin to implement the porn-free family plan, meet with your family to explain what you’re about to do and what you hope to accomplish. You’ll be inconveniencing your family and putting rules in place that will impact them. So it’s wise to discuss these things with them.

Florida Baptists Will Withhold Part of Their Giving to the Cooperative Program If SBC Does Not Cut Ties With Guidepost Solutions

By

Stephanie Martin

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April 3, 2023

guidepost solutions — Screenshot from Twitter / @FloridaBaptists

The Executive Committee (EC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is facing more pushback for its continued partnership with Guidepost Solutions, which investigated the handling of sex abuse claims and established an abuse-reporting hotline. Most recently, denominational leaders retained Guidepost Solutions to build a Ministry Check website, a database of SBC leaders credibly accused of sexual abuse.

On March 31, the governing body of the Florida State Baptist Convention unanimously approved a resolution calling for the denomination’s national leaders to cut ties with Guidepost.

A key concern is Guidepost’s June 2022 tweet in support of the LGBTQ community for Pride month. “The Florida Baptist Convention has been inundated by concerned pastors and churches regarding such a decision to retain a firm that has clearly demonstrated a deviation from the biblical sexual ethic that Southern Baptists have held to for generations,” the resolution from the State Board of Missions states.

Unless the denomination’s Executive Committee ends its association with Guidepost Solutions, Florida Baptists plan to put into escrow a percentage of the Cooperative Program receipts that would go to support the EC. According to attorney Jonathan Whitehead, that amounts to 1.5% of the Florida Baptist State Convention’s giving to the Cooperative Program—and 2.99% of the national Cooperative Program. The funds would stay in escrow until state leaders meet in November to modify the 2023-2024 fiscal-year budget.

Florida Baptists Commit to Fighting Sexual Abuse

In its resolution, the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions affirms “policies and procedures governing abuse prevention, abuse reporting and survivor care” and notes that its churches already have “extensive policies and procedures” in place. Instead of retaining Guidepost Solutions and its subsidiary Faith Based Solutions, the SBC should find an organization with “a solidly biblical worldview,” the resolution maintains.

As ChurchLeaders has reported, the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) voted in February to have Guidepost Solutions build a “ministry check” website and database of SBC leaders credibly accused of sexual abuse. The project’s estimated cost of $1.5 million to $2 million is allocated from the SBC entity Send Relief.

The March 31 resolution from Florida Baptists expresses “sincerest gratitude” to members of the ARITF and the SBC’s Executive Committee. It also calls for “fervent prayer” for those leaders and an end to “all personal attacks” against them. Florida Baptists, the resolution notes, have conducted their own “independent professional review” of abuse-related policies, and a task force found “no overwhelming flaws.”

If the denomination continues to engage with Guidepost Solutions, that would be “detrimental to our unity,” according to the Florida resolution. It adds: “Florida Baptist churches have been leaders in Cooperative Program support, contributing 51% of all undesignated receipts given to the Cooperative Program to the CP budget of the Southern Baptist Convention totaling $108,154,986 since 2016.”

SBC’s ‘Liberal Drift’ in the Crosshairs

Some SBC leaders who object to abuse reforms and how they’re being handled belong to the Conservative Baptist Network. The group, formed in February 2020, aims to combat “liberal drift” throughout the denomination.

Church Fire Bomber Arrested, Claims He Was Trying To Protect Children by Stopping Drag Show Event

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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April 3, 2023

Aimenn Penny, a member of the White Lives Matter group in Ohio, was arrested by the Department of Justice after attempting to burn down Community Church of Chesterland, which was planning to host a drag queen story hour on April 1.

The 20-year-old Penny has been charged with malicious use of explosive materials and possession of a destructive device for his actions on March 25, when he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at the Chesterland, Ohio, church.

Along with throwing burning bottles filled with gasoline at the church, authorities believe Penny had something to do with the church’s sign being destroyed.

The White Lives Matter group with which Penny is associated is described in the affidavit as a neo-Nazi, racist, and homophobic hate group.

Law enforcement used Penny’s cell phone to determine that he was on the property of the church on March 25 between 1:00 a.m. and 1:31 a.m.

During the execution of an FBI search warrant on March 31, Penny admitted to assembling the Molotov cocktails and throwing them at the church.

According to the affidavit:

Penny stated that he was trying to protect children and stop the drag show event. Penny stated that night he became more and more angry after watching internet videos of news feeds and drag shows in France and decided to attack the church. Penny stated that he would have felt better if the Molotov cocktails were more effective and burned the entire church to the ground.

FBI agents found a handwritten manifesto containing “ideological statements” at Penny’s residence. Authorities also found a Nazi flag, Nazi memorabilia, a White Lives Matter of Ohio t-shirt, a gas mask, multiple rolls of blue painters tape found at the crime scene, and gas cans.

Community Church of Chesterland, which is part of the United Church of Christ denomination, identifies as an “Open and Affirming Church” and welcomes “all people regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, faith, nationality, ethnicity, martial [sic] status, physical ability, economic situation or whatever other barriers there might be.”

‘I Know That She Was Protecting Those Kids’ — Husband, Community of Nashville Shooting Victim Honor Her Memory

By

Janna Firestone

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April 3, 2023

Cynthia Peak and husband — Pictured: (left) Chris Peak speaking about his wife, Cynthia; (right) Cynthia Peak, one of the six victims in last week's school shooting in Nashville (screengrabs via WTVF)

Substitute teacher Cynthia “Cindy” Peak was one of the six victims tragically killed in the school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27.

Students Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney were the children killed. Peak, custodian Mike Hill, and headmaster Katherine Koonce lost their lives as well.

“She was Cindy to most, mom to few, and CiCi to many,” Peak’s obituary read.

Peak, a former substitute teacher in Williamson County Schools, was a regular substitute for The Covenant School. According to those who knew her, Peak’s teaching style went above and beyond math and reading. She was said to have crafted homemade Christmas ornaments for each student.

Cynthia Peak ‘Loved Jesus and Loved Kids,’ Says Husband

According to Cynthia Peak’s obituary, “what she would want to be remembered most for is how much she desperately loved the Lord first, her husband and children second, and all of those whom she considered family.”

Peak’s husband of 25 years, Chris, spoke of his late wife during a gathering to honor her memory, showing unwavering support and love for her.

“I hold onto what I know is the truth, and that is that my wife loved Jesus,” he reflected. “She loved kids. She died doing what she loved. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know that she was protecting those kids. And I want everybody here to know that.”

Cynthia Peak, 61, died in #TheCovenantSchool shooting. She was a substitute teacher.
I’m blown away by the strength of her husband, Chris. pic.twitter.com/vNnD9H5fmc

— Hunter Hoagland (@HunterHoagland) March 31, 2023

As journalist Hunter Hoagland shared the video of Chris’ remarks, he said, “I’m blown away by the strength of her husband, Chris.”

Hundreds of local and global community members reacted to the video, and nearly a hundred retweeted the video.

One commented, “Lord, I thank you for giving Cynthia Peak the wisdom and strength to help protect the children. God, thank you for your mercy and grace through Jesus and for giving us the opportunity to love you back. May Cynthia Rest In Peace until the second coming of Jesus.”

“Thank you for sharing The truth,” another offered. “You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank God for Christian school teachers.”

Daughter of Building 429 Frontman Brings ‘American Idol’ Audience to Tears With Song About Her Brother’s Fight Against Suicide

By

Jessica Lea

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April 3, 2023

Haven Madison, daughter of Building 429 frontman Jason Roy, made it through the Hollywood Week portion of “American Idol” with a moving performance of a song she wrote to her brother, who struggled with suicidal ideation earlier in his life.

“He was battling depression,” said Madison, “and was kind of having some suicidal thoughts…I convinced myself I didn’t have anybody to talk to, so I talked to my piano.”

Haven Madison Honors Her Brother

Haven Madison is a 17-year-old from Clarksville, Tennessee. She amazed the “American Idol” judges when she auditioned for the show, performing her original song, “15,” while accompanied by her dad on guitar.

Jason Roy is the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated CCM band Building 429. Because Roy took his family on tour with him while Madison was growing up, she gained extensive experience on the road. By age eight, she was writing her own music.

Haven Madison released her first single, “Already Gone,” in 2020 and has released six more singles since then. Her EP, “All the Things I Didn’t Say” (released in 2022) includes “15” and the original song she performed for Hollywood Week, “Still Need You.”

Rather than choosing a genre this season, Hollywood Week contestants were required to choose one of three areas where they wanted to improve: confidence, songwriting or stage presence.

Madison chose songwriting. Prior to her performance, she was mentored by former “American Idol” contestant Phillip Phillips, whose debut 2012 album, “The World from the Side of the Moon,” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Phillips noted that he was writing songs while competing on “American Idol” and said it seems the show is “trying to find more artists, instead of just incredible singers.” He asked Madison what inspires her.

“I think it’s kind of just how I process my emotions,” she replied. “My audition song, ‘15,’ I wrote it on the back of my hand I think in one of my classes sophomore year.”

“Still Need You” is about Madison’s brother, Avery. Madison shared that there was a period of time when she was not sure if Avery would be alive when she returned home from school every day. “It was pretty scary,” she said, “trying to go to school each day and, like, not knowing if he was going to be home. And like, my parents taking shifts at night, staying up to make sure he was ok.”

Madison said “Still Need You” was her “last hope of convincing him to stick around. And now he’s ok, he’s healing.”

Phillips was clearly impressed with Madison’s songwriting, saying, “That’s a great song. Did you write that all by yourself?” When Madison said yes, he said, “Wow. Holy crap.”

In a FaceTime call, Avery asked Madison if she remembered when she first showed him “Still Need You.” She did. “I did not actually say anything,” he said. “I just cried.”

“I’m really proud of you,” he continued, “and I think you’ve got this.”

Haven Madison accompanied herself on the piano during her performance of “Still Need You.” The chorus of the song says:

There’s so much more outside this town
There’s more to see than what you found
Hold on another day, I can prove it to you
And if you left without goodbye
You would’ve missed the tears I cried
Then you would never know how I needed you

Oh, I needed you
I needed you
I needed you
I still need you

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Haven Madison (@havenmadisonsings)

‘Somebody Got a Job’ — Transformation Church Addresses Carl Lentz Hiring

By

Dale Chamberlain

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April 3, 2023

Last week, Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, made headlines by bringing Carl Lentz, former pastor of Hillsong Church’s New York location, onto their staff. Lentz was dismissed from Hillsong amid scandal in 2020, having admitted to an extramarital affair.

Later, allegations of spiritual and sexual abuse were levied against Lentz, who formerly rubbed elbows with celebrities and professional athletes, though he has denied the truth of those claims.

The scandal surrounding Lentz’s leadership featured heavily in a three-part docuseries titled “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed,” which was released on Discovery+ in March 2022.

After nearly three years of remaining out of the spotlight, Lentz has now joined the staff of Transformation Church in a role focusing on the church’s ministry strategy.

“We gladly welcome Carl Lentz to our Transformation Church staff, helping TC with strategy as we continue to move forward in our vast vision,” said executive pastor Tammy McQuarters in a statement. “We believe in Carl, his marriage, his skill set, and his restoration.”

Pastored by Mike Todd, Transformation Church is no stranger to controversy itself, as Todd’s elaborate sermon illustrations occasionally generate impassioned online discussion and criticism.

During services on Sunday (April 2), the church directly addressed reports of Lentz having joined the staff team. Tim Ross, who serves as the church’s oversight pastor and who also gave the sermon, delivered the brief statement.

“I just want to make a statement, point something out. It made national news last week that somebody got a job,” Ross said as scattered cheers began to swell. “And I’m happy when anybody gets a job. I want people employed. But because of who this individual is and has been to the body of Christ, it made a little bit more news.”

Ross continued, “Transformation Church issued a statement that I am not going to repeat. It speaks for itself. But I do want to read a Scripture that I hope just brings some context to what we are doing as a church for Carl, Laura, and their family.”

“It’s very, very important for us to know as a church—and for the larger body of Christ, because I’m sure there’s some people that are just curious—the Lentz family is not hiding here,” Ross said. “They’re covered here.”

Pastor’s Son and Church Leader Slain in Kaduna State, Nigeria

By

Morning Star News

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April 3, 2023

ABUJA, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Fulani herdsmen killed a pastor on Thursday (March 23) in Kaduna state, Nigeria two weeks after terrorists killed a Baptist pastor’s son in the same state, sources said.

The Rev. Musa Mairimi of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Buda 2 village, near Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru County, was killed in his home and his wife kidnapped, said the chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Rev. Joseph Hayab.

“The herdsmen and terrorists invaded the community on Thursday, March 23, and killed the pastor in his house,” Hayab said. “His wife was taken into captivity at gunpoint.”

Hayab said that more than 100 Christians have been kidnapped in Kaduna state’s Kauru, Jaba, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru counties.

“Who will we cry to and who will we run to for help except God?” he said. “Imagine that since the carnage of kidnapping of Christians started in Kaduna state, no arrests have been made.”

Area resident Istifanus Ma’aji requested prayer.

“Let us pray for the safe return of the wife the pastor and other Christians taken captive by the herdsmen and bandits,” Ma’aji said.

Pastor’s Son Killed

In Kaduna state’s Karimbu-Kahugu village, Lere County, terrorists on March 10 broke into the home of Baptist Pastor Dadi Babas at 1 a.m., killed his son and kidnapped his wife and three other family members while the pastor was attending the funeral of this brother in Bauchi state, he said.

Pastor Babas said in a text message that he was informed of the attack at 4 a.m., and that his wife has been released.

“My son was brutally killed by the terrorists, while my wife, my daughter in-law who is nursing a baby, and two other members of my family were kidnapped,” he said. “As I send this message, three members of my family remain in captivity with the bandits, while my wife was abandoned by the terrorists because of her illness.”

He said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of 5 million naira (US$10,841) for the release of his remaining family members.

Peter Mukaddas, vice chairman of the Kahugu National Development Association, identified the assailants as “Muslim bandits.”

“We are fervently praying to God to touch the hearts of the terrorists so that they can release the Christians,” Mukaddas said in a text message.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

“Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery,” the WWL report noted. “This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation… Nigeria’s government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians’ rights are carried out with impunity.”

Celebrate Easter Week: But Choose Carefully!

By

Ray Hollenbach

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April 3, 2023

What will Easter Sunday mean to you—and those who hear you preach? Choose carefully: How you celebrate Easter indicates your priorities of faith. This “Holy Week” is filled with powerful images of the Christian life: Jesus gave us a covenant meal on Thursday night—the very night he was betrayed. He suffered torture and death on Friday—a death that paid the price for the sins of humanity. On Saturday, he descended into the depths of Hades and kicked in the gates of Hell itself. And, of course, on Sunday he was resurrected with power, receiving the vindication of the Heavenly Father.

Choose Carefully What you Will Preach

We can (and should) celebrate his death. His death on the cross is unique because of who he is—the sinless perfect Son of God: the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. No one else could accomplish what Jesus accomplished on the cross, because his perfect sacrifice came by virtue of his identity as God come to earth. His sacrifice was for the sin of all people, in all times and in all places. His death was unique. One time. Once. For all. But I would like to ask a difficult question: Is Friday’s sacrifice enough?

When we concentrate on the substitutionary death of Jesus to the exclusion of his life and teaching, we limit his ministry to a divine rescue mission—a rescue mission that only becomes effective for us when we die. Many Christians understand that they have no hope of heaven apart from the price Jesus paid on their behalf. But apart from gratitude for his kindness, there is little connection between what Jesus did then and how we can live today. Our appreciation for what he did does not empower us to fulfill his teaching. Our gratitude for his suffering does not release the wisdom, insight or strength for each one of us to live as a new creation, a new kind of person.

Pastor Jack Hayford and How To Gain Influence

By

Phil Cooke

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April 2, 2023

At the memorial service recently for Pastor Jack Hayford, I was reminded that you don’t have to be associated with a big organization, movement or company to have influence. At the service, Jack’s brother Jim related that after high school, Jack had been offered a full scholarship to the University of California at Berkeley and at the same time had an offer to play professional baseball.

He turned down both offers, just to attend a tiny little Bible college, and eventually go into pastoral ministry. Worse, he chose a little denomination called “Foursquare” which at the time most people had never heard of.

He continued that cycle by taking the job as pastor for a small church in Van Nuys, California called “The First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys.”

But as as it turned out, attending a small college, joining a small denomination, and leading a small church did nothing to hold back Jack’s influence.

It wasn’t long before that small church grew to become “The Church on the Way,” Jack’s books and teaching transformed massive numbers of people, he was invited to speak around the world, and he’s still remembered as one of the greatest pastors of his generation.

The lesson? No matter where you come from, what organization you belong to, the length of your experience, or the number of your friends or social media followers, that’s not where your influence lies.

Influence is about the quality of your ideas, and that comes from inside you. Jack’s influence came from his extraordinary relationship with God, and his unique approach to teaching others how to pursue that same relationship.

That’s why you should spend less time worrying about having more influence, and more time getting closer to God, and creatively expressing that relationship with the world.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

The Mathematics of Derailing Spiritually

By

Scott Sauls

-

April 1, 2023

C.S. Lewis famously said that when we read history, we find that those who did the most for the present world are also the ones who thought the most of the next. In other words, the more heavenly minded we are — the more our heads and hearts are fixed on Jesus, his kingdom, and his purposes — the more earthly good we will be. And the more happy and healthy and whole we will be as well.

But if we are being honest, many Christians struggle to keep their minds and hearts fixed on what Lewis calls “the next” world. With goals to chase, degrees to earn, careers to pursue, friendships to enjoy, families to raise, retirement accounts to build, and more, we are easily distracted from our chief purpose as human beings — to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

In practical terms, how many of us have the time and energy to do what it takes to be heavenly minded? Who has the bandwidth, the focus, or for that matter the incentive to “set (their) minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2)? Who has the interest or ability to stop worrying about the details and concerns of here and now, and instead to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)?

According to Scripture, the only way we can live a full and fruitful life in the here and now — the only way that things like career, family, friendship, and other pursuits can lead to healthy and life-giving outcomes — is to remain fixated on Jesus, his kingdom, and his purposes through each one of these pursuits. Jesus must be the sun around which the solar systems of our lives find their orbit. He must be our single non-negotiable, our “true north,” and the wind beneath our sails. Otherwise, by moving Jesus to the periphery and centering our lives on anything else, even our best and most noble earthly pursuits will backfire on us and lead to us spiritually derailing. When we turn good things into our ultimate things, they will go sour for us. When we plug our emotional umbilical cords into anything besides Jesus and expect them to give us life, they will steal life from us instead.

We each have something at the center of our souls that we treat as our functional treasure, as the ultimate source our own happiness and significance and flourishing. Whether it’s Jesus or someone, someplace, or something else, we all depend on these treasures to save, sustain, and govern our lives as functional lord and savior. We tell ourselves, “If I can have this, then it will be well with my soul. If I can hold on to this, things will be okay. If my thoughts, words, and deepest commitments are centered on this, my life will be worth living.”

When we think this way, we become like the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, who like Ebenezer Scrooge counts up all his money and material goods and preaches a mini-sermon to his own soul: “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God preaches a contradicting mini-sermon to him, saying, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be” (Luke 12:13-21)?

What makes this man a fool?

First, he is shortsighted. With the mortality rate being one person per every one person, sooner or later he will die. When he does, he will not be able to take his things with them. They will offer no comfort, no support, and no salvation for him. As another rich, yet much wiser man once said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

He is also a fool for depending on created things to do for him what only his Creator can do. As Blaise Pascal once said, in each of us there is an “infinite abyss (that) can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” Every pursuit of ultimate satisfaction outside of God himself will lead to less satisfaction.

Josh Butler Addresses Criticisms of His TGC Article About ‘God’s Vision for Sex’

By

Jessica Lea

-

March 31, 2023

Josh Butler, who was at the center of an online tempest earlier this month because of an article he wrote for The Gospel Coalition (TGC), appeared on Preston Sprinkle’s Theology in the Raw podcast Monday to explain what he was trying to communicate in his article and to address the pushback against it. While Butler said that it had been “unwise” to publish that particular excerpt from his upcoming book, “Beautiful Union,” he nevertheless stands by what he wrote.

“I was unwise to allow that excerpt to be used in a short article,” said Butler, who shared that his “heart has been extremely heavy the last few weeks.” He added later in the episode that the excerpt makes more sense within the context of his book, a purpose of which is to show that “God has designed bodily union, sexual union of a husband and wife…to point to and bear witness to the gospel.”

Josh Butler’s Article on The Gospel Coalition

Josh Butler is the pastor of Redemption Tempe in Tempe, Arizona. At the time his article was published, he was a fellow at The Gospel Coalition’s newly formed Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics and was set to lead a learning cohort through the Keller Center on “The Beauty of the Christian Sexual Ethic.”

On March 1, TGC published Butler’s book excerpt under the title, “Sex Won’t Save You (But It Points to the One Who Will).” The post caused a firestorm online, initially uniting Christians of many theological stripes in agreeing that some of the language in the article was disturbing.

Critics faulted Butler’s excerpt for presenting a male-dominant view of sex and for sexualizing believers’ relationship with God. Among the passages people took issue with was one where Butler described a wedding night by saying, “The groom goes into his bride. He is not only with his beloved but within his beloved. He enters the sanctuary of his spouse, where he pours out his deepest presence and bestows an offering.”

The bridegroom on that night pictures Jesus, said Butler, who “gives himself to his beloved with extravagant generosity, showering his love upon us and imparting his very presence within us. Christ penetrates his church with the generative seed of his Word and the life-giving presence of his Spirit, which takes root within her and grows to bring new life into the world.” In contrast, on her wedding night the bride “gladly receives the warmth of [her husband’s] presence and accepts the sacrificial offering he bestows upon the altar within her Most Holy Place.”

Butler received critiques for over-spiritualizing the sex act, for poor exegesis, and for presenting a harmful, even abusive view of complementarianism. Two days after the excerpt was published, TGC pulled it and posted the introduction and first chapter of Butler’s book in order to give more context.

The criticism did not abate. Pastor and author Rich Villodas and church planter Dennae Pierre each retracted their endorsements of Butler’s book and admitted they had not read it in its entirety. Preston Sprinkle, the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender and who has also endorsed the book, tweeted “Killer book!!” when the controversy erupted and has stood by his endorsement.

On March 5, TGC pulled the introduction and first chapter of Butler’s book and replaced them with an apology. In that apology, TGC president Julius Kim said TGC had accepted Butler’s resignation as a Keller Center fellow. Some took issue with The Gospel Coalition for this response, saying the organization was simply reacting to the pushback instead of doing the work required to understand why the excerpt was a problem in the first place. Meanwhile, others faulted the “mob” who had unfairly attacked and canceled Butler.

Josh Butler’s Thoughts on the Controversy

Preston Sprinkle said that he wanted to have Josh Butler on his podcast in order to “have an in-depth, thoughtful conversation” about what had happened. Sprinkle stated that he has been good friends with Butler for some time and that he did read all of his book. While Sprinkle does not agree with everything Butler wrote, he thought the book was “extremely good.” He also believes that the section TGC published as an article was “probably the worst excerpt of the book to release in isolation.”

Franklin Graham Slams Democrats for ‘Weaponizing Legal System’ Against Trump for ‘Their Political Gain’

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

March 31, 2023

Franklin Graham Donald Trump — Franklin Graham Slams Democrats for 'Weaponizing Legal System' Against Trump for 'Their Political Gain'

Evangelist Franklin Graham has weighed in on the criminal indictment of former president Donald Trump, echoing the common sentiment among conservatives that the charges are politically motivated.

Trump has been a controversial figure since the beginning of his political career. While he has been the subject of numerous investigations, including two impeachments, Trump has never been charged with a crime. However, on Thursday (Mar. 30), Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.

The charges against Trump remain sealed, and while it is known that the indictment has to do with his role in alleged hush money paid to former adult film start Stormy Daniels in 2016, the specific charges have not been disclosed.

The indictment is a historic moment in American politics, as Trump is the first former president to have ever been criminally indicted. While several presidents have faced impeachment, none have faced criminal charges after leaving office.

According to reports, prosecutors are working to coordinate Trump’s surrender, which some have predicted may happen on Tuesday (April 4). If convicted of a crime, it is unclear if Trump would be sentenced with any jail time.

It is also unknown whether a conviction would prevent Trump from seeking another presidential run in 2024. The 76-year-old announced his candidacy on Nov. 15, 2022 from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

In a statement released on Thursday, Trump called the indictment a “witch-hunt,” saying, “This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history. From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats—the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country—have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement.”

Trump continued, “You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this. The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable—indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference.”

Trump accused Democratic politicians of “weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President,” going on to call Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg “a disgrace.”

“The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it,” Trump said. “So our Movement, and our Party—united and strong—will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Liberty University Board of Trustees Appoints Chancellor and President

By

Liberty University

-

March 31, 2023

LYNCHBURG, Va., March 31, 2023 – During the spring meeting of the Board of Trustees of Liberty University, the trustees unanimously appointed Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Dondi E. Costin, Ph.D., the sixth president of the University and Pastor Jonathan Falwell the third chancellor of the University. Both leaders will assume their duties ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

“As one whose life and ministry have been profoundly shaped by Liberty University, I can think of no educational institution with more global impact than my two-time alma mater. I am beyond grateful to the Board for entrusting me with this extraordinary opportunity,” said President designee Costin. “Vickey and I look forward to locking arms with the Liberty family as we honor the University’s past and drive toward its future. With God’s help and for His glory, the very best days of our great University are still ahead of us.”

Chancellor designee Falwell added, “With this transition we are recommitting our institution to its founding, and singular, mission: Training Champions for Christ. I look forward to serving alongside our exceptionally qualified new president to impact more lives than ever before with Christ-centered education.” Like his father before him, Falwell will remain as Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church while also serving at Liberty University.

As President of Liberty University, Dr. Costin comes to the university’s leadership as a continuation of a lifetime dedicated to service. Most recently, Dr. Costin has served as president of Charleston Southern University (CSU). His celebrated tenure has been marked by academic and athletic achievement. Costin oversaw the construction of several new facilities and the substantial expansion of CSU’s academic programs, including South Carolina’s only four-year aviation program, multiple doctoral programs, and an engineering program within the university’s College of Science and Mathematics. Under his leadership, the university set fundraising records, significantly improved its overall rankings, and dramatically exceeded freshmen enrollment goals. On the heels of the best all-around year in CSU’s athletic history, Dr. Costin now serves as president of the Big South Conference. Despite operating in a #1 tourist town with a top national port, the only Boeing plant outside the State of Washington, manufacturing plants for Mercedes and Volvo, three major universities, and countless successful businesses in every industry, CSU was named the 2022 Business of the Year by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to Charleston Southern University, Dr. Costin obtained the rank of Major General with the U.S. Air Force during 32 years of commissioned service, during which he represented the Liberty Baptist Fellowship as an endorsed chaplain. He completed his military career at the Pentagon as Air Force Chief of Chaplains. As Chief of Chaplains, he served as senior pastor to more than 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces in the United States and overseas, and he led 2,000 chaplains and chaplain assistants from the Air Force Chaplain Corps. A decorated combat veteran, Costin deployed in support of numerous contingency and humanitarian relief operations across the globe and previously served as senior chaplain for Air Force operations in both the Pacific and the Middle East. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in operations research from The United States Air Force Academy, Dr. Costin holds five master’s degrees, a Doctor of Ministry degree, and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership. He earned two of his five master’s degrees from Liberty University early in his military career. He has been married to Vickey for more than 33 years. Mrs. Costin’s own legacy of public service includes 23 years as a public-school educator.

The appointments by the trustees come after an extensive national search was conducted on behalf of the University’s Presidential and Chancellor Search Special Committee by CarterBaldwin Executive Search, one of America’s top executive recruiters. The search involved the evaluation of nearly 100 credible candidates over a period of eight months.

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