Maundy Thursday Devotion – 5 Gems From the Last Supper

April 5, 2023

The Last Supper: More than history, more than a painting, it’s the living example of how to go through stressful times. In this Maundy Thursday devotion there are at least five diamonds shining out from the darkness of John 13. I’m sure you can find more, but these five points speak to me today:

Maundy Thursday Devotion

1. He showed them the full extent of his love (v1).

Jesus demonstrated that sometimes the grand gesture is important. What more perfect love is there than the love of God? Yet Jesus determined that night to show them the “full extent” of his love. He washed their feet. Earlier in the week Mary had broken open a jar of fabulously expense perfume and covered his feet with the sweet-smelling ointment. He had received extravagant love and now he showed the same. The service due him he gave to others. In the middle of incredible stress Jesus lavished his attention on others.

2. The devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus (v2).

The backdrop of the evening was betrayal. Jesus washed Judas’ feet as well. The very one who objected to Mary’s outrageous act of love was apparently willing to receive the full extent of the Jesus’ love. Jesus knew the score and chose to serve even Judas. But should we be surprised? Before sunrise all the disciples except John would flee for safety. Peter would deny the Lord again and again (and again). Jesus served them all. In a setting of betrayal, Jesus determined to pour forth his love and care. Under incredible pressure he met betrayal with love—he cared even for his oppressor. Perhaps that’s why the early church sang, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

Read the final three points of this Maundy Thursday Devotion on Page 2

‘The Most Terrifying Call a Parent Could Imagine’ — ERLC President’s Kids Attend School Where Shooting Took Place

Jesse T. Jackson

April 4, 2023

Brent Leatherwood, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), revealed on Monday (April 3) that his three children attend The Covenant School and were on campus when a shooter violently killed six people last week (March 27).

“A week ago, at 10:28am, I received the most terrifying call a parent could imagine: a shooter was at the school of my three children,” Leatherwood said. “While our family is safe now, the trauma from that day and the memories of six friends, classmates, leaders, and servants will be with us for the rest of our lives.”

On the day of the shooting, the assailant shot out the windows of locked doors to gain entry into the school, proceeding to prowl halls and classrooms with the two assault rifles and handgun.

The shooter killed Evelyn Dieckhaus (9), William Kinney (9), Hallie Scruggs (9), custodian Mike Hill (61), substitute teacher Cynthia Peak (61), and Head of the School Katherine Koonce (60) before being apprehended and shot dead by Metro Nashville Police Department officers.

Leatherwood described the March 27 shooting as tragic, saying that he still hasn’t found the right words to best express the “flood of emotions, especially the grief.” The ERLC president also noted that his family is “forever indebted” to the heroes who “acted with incredible bravery” that day.

“While the last week has altered our story, it has not changed our trajectory. God’s love endures; and we hold fast to that truth,” Leatherwood continued. “3/27 was the darkest day of our lives, yet His mercies are immeasurably more.”

Matt Boswell’s “His Mercy Is More,” a song that has been continuously playing in the Leatherwood home since the shooting, has helped Leatherwood to “hold it together so many times over the last week.”

Additionally, Leatherwood said that the Church—specifically congregations of The Church at Avenue South and Brentwood Baptist Church—has shown his family and other families from the school an outpouring of love and kindness.

“Covenant will come back. There’s too much light there and too many people leaning in for it to be otherwise,” Leatherwood said. “Darkness never prevails against the light.”

New Texas Bill Would Mandate a 10 Commandments Display in Every Public School Classroom

Stephanie Martin

April 4, 2023

Ten Commandments Texas bill — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If a new bill from Texas state Sen. Phil King becomes law, a poster-sized display of the 10 Commandments would need to be displayed “in a conspicuous place in each classroom” of the state’s public elementary and secondary schools.

King, a Republican, filed SB 1515, which includes a requirement as to the exact size of the posters, as well as the mandate that the posters use the “Thou shalt…” wording in each commandment. King is a member of the state Senate Education Committee, which will consider the bill this week.

Proponents of the separation of church and state say this bill oversteps in that not only does it require the public placement of Scripture, but it also allows schools to use taxpayer funds to purchase the posters.

Similar bills have failed in Texas before. But in 2005, current Texas Gov. Greg Abbott won a U.S. Supreme Court case (Van Orden v. Perry) regarding a 10 Commandments monument at the state capitol.

Texas Bill Requires ‘Legible’ Displays of 10 Commandments

According to King’s bill, each classroom display of the 10 Commandments must be “a durable poster or framed copy” of at least 16 x 20 inches, “in a size and typeface that is legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom.”

The proposal adds that public schools “must” accept donations of 10 Commandments displays, “must” offer any excess donations to other schools, and may use “public funds” to meet the requirement. If passed, the legislation would go into effect September 1 for the 2023-2024 school year.

In an author’s statement, King noted that his bill became “legally feasible” thanks to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. That ruling overturned the “Lemon test under the Establishment Clause,” King wrote, “and instead provided a test of whether a governmental display of religious content comports with America’s history and tradition.” Stone v. Graham (1980) had maintained that “the Lemon test prohibited public schools’ display” of the 10 Commandments, but now that no longer applies.

“Religious liberty was a bedrock of America’s founding,” added King. “For the last several decades, expression of that liberty has been restricted. However, thanks to this recent SCOTUS opinion, those restrictions have been lifted.” His bill, King contended, “reminds students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law—the Ten Commandments.”

Opponents: Bill Would Unconstitutionally ‘Impose Religion’

According to NBC News reporter Mike Hixenbaugh, this is one of two current Texas GOP bills that will “chip away at the separation of church & state and promote Christianity in public schools.” Regarding the commandment against coveting “thy neighbor’s wife,” Hixenbaugh tweeted: “Yes, please explain that line to a 6-year-old.”

The other bill he references, SB 763, would permit chaplains to act as school counselors, and those chaplains would not have to be certified by the state board of education.

Joe Rigney Resigns as President of Bethlehem Seminary Over Disagreements About Christian Nationalism, Believer’s Baptism

Dale Chamberlain

April 4, 2023

Joe Rigney has resigned as president of Bethlehem College and Seminary, the school announced on April 3. The reason for Rigney’s resignation was “vision divergence.”

In an announcement that was signed by trustee board chairman Tom Lutz and John Piper, the school’s chancellor and long-time pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church from which the school was birthed, the school expressed “profound thankfulness to God” for Rigney’s 16 years of service at Bethlehem, noting his contributions to the expansion of the school during his tenure as president, which began in 2020.

Nevertheless, the school explained that Rigney had “substantial differences” of opinion with some of the school’s trustees and governing churches, as well as with Piper himself—differences that became a “significant obstacle” to his leadership.

Those differences were “theological” and “philosophical” in nature and included Rigney’s evolving beliefs about the practice of baptism, as well as the relationship the Christian church ought to have with the state.

With regard to baptism, Rigney’s position has evolved such that “infant baptism is an open question” for him, something that puts him out of step with the school’s baptist theology and statement of faith.

Further, Rigney’s “position on the relationship between Christianity and civil government is not at home with the historic Baptist emphasis on the separation of church and state.”

More specifically, Rigney’s vision for the “Christianization of all of society, including the civil government, has put him significantly out of step with other leaders of the school who would warn against the use of civil authority to establish Christianity as an official religion,” the announcement explained.

Further characterizing Rigney’s view of government as “Christendom-building,” the letter said that this “involves a foregrounding of culture-transformation to a degree that other leaders have felt does not reflect the emphases of the New Testament, and is out of proportion to other values the school represents.”

Rigney will remain at the school until the end of May and will preside over the spring commencement ceremony. Brian J. Tabb, who has served as academic dean and professor of biblical studies, will assume the position of interim president effective immediately.

With regard to the transition, Rigney is quoted in the announcement as saying, “My family and I are currently praying and considering a number of options for our future, all of which would enable us to continue to spread a passion for God’s supremacy in all things.”

4 Types of Pastors and Why They’re All Important

Dale Chamberlain

April 4, 2023

4 Types of Pastors — Photo by Pavel Danilyuk (via Pexels)

Pastors are as unique as the congregations they lead. And that’s a good thing!

Too often, we fall into the trap of believing that in order to be a “good” pastor, an “effective” pastor, or even a “biblical” pastor, our leaders need to fall within a particular mold and have specific strengths that have less to do with their character and ability to lead, and more to do with our own assumptions about how they should live out their calling.

To be sure, while any effective pastor will double down on their areas of strength, they will also ensure that their areas of weakness do not hamper their leadership or congregation. This involves seeking to improve in those areas, but it also includes hiring or raising up other pastoral leaders whose own unique strengths fill the gaps.

This is perhaps partly why whenever the apostle Paul planted a new church throughout the book of Acts, he always appointed and left behind a plurality of elders. Every leader offers special gifts to the church, which we should celebrate, rather than overemphasizing their weaknesses.

Here are four types of pastors and the unique contributions they make to the church.

1. The Shepherd

Shepherding pastors are masters of caring for the people in their churches. They might not be the most dynamic preachers or visionaries, but whenever their people need them most, they are always there.

Shepherding pastors can often be found at the foot of hospital beds, praying and offering encouragement. They can be found in the neighborhood, visiting congregants to brighten their day. They are a calming and joyful presence as they officiate weddings and funerals. They are the voice of reason in disputes between church members, spouses, or among the church staff. They never seem to overreact. They always seem to show up.

Shepherding pastors act as a father figure to the community in a world where fathers are desperately needed. In so doing, they point us to the reality of our perfect heavenly Father who loves us exceedingly more than the shepherding pastor who has modeled, in some small way, the kind of affection God has for us.

2. The Teacher

The teaching pastor does not feel like he has spent his week well unless an ample proportion of it is spent in study.

These pastors are passionate about discovering the truth of Scripture and communicating it in dynamic ways. They obsess not only over accurately interpreting the Bible but also communicating its truth in a way that captures the imagination of those in their congregations, causing them to ponder the deeper things of God and step out in their faith in practical ways.

Teaching pastors not only inspire a love within their congregations for hearing, receiving, and applying the truth of Scripture, but also a love for seeking to discover that truth through personal study. These kinds of pastors are God’s gift to the church in that they draw people to the book that the Holy Spirit will use in the lives of his people to bring about transformation.

5 Characteristics of Breakthrough Teams

Dan Reiland

April 4, 2023

breakthrough teams — Adobestock #67457266

If progress is to be made in new territory, every leader needs a wall to come down.

On any given week, you may face anything from a speed bump to a hurdle to get over. But there are some seasons where you stare at what feels like a wall, maybe a huge wall, and wonder how you will get through it.

That is leadership.

That is the road of progress.

That’s where great teams bond together, with their leaders and God, to fight for a breakthrough.

Barriers always exist for churches and leaders who are making progress in Heaven’s work, and there’s always a way through. It’s the leader’s job to find that way.

It’s not easy, typically not fast, and sometimes there is a curve or change you didn’t see coming, but there is a way to keep moving forward.

What wall might you be facing?

You can’t find the staff you need.
Your financial position is stressed.
You are in desperate need for more space now.
There is conflict or division in the church.
Perhaps something at home that seems insurmountable.

You are praying and working toward breakthrough.

When your church has a barrier to break through, it’s not just one gifted leader that makes it happen. It’s the strength found in the culture of a team and how they work together that allows the breakthrough.

We know the attributes that great team players have individually, such as:

Self-Awareness
Humility
Drive
Adaptability

But what are the some of the primary ways in which great leaders function together as a connected, focused, and motivated team?

What are the team characteristics that are most likely to lead to a breakthrough?

1. Breakthrough Teams Believe That God Is in It.

Teams that lead to a breakthrough do not take their work casually, and they deeply believe God is in it with them.

Breakthrough teams understand the nature of a divine partnership with God. What they lead is not just a good idea, it’s a God idea.

The reason it’s so important to understand and believe in this spiritual partnership is because the enemy creates resistance, barriers, and walls that we can’t get through on our own.

(Yes, sometimes we create our own barriers, but God will still help us.)

Ultimately you can’t lead what you don’t believe. Faith is a critical pathway for every leader to gain the needed breakthrough.

2. Breakthrough Teams Are Strongly Unified at a Soul Level.

Breakthrough teams are unified with each other and the vision. Unity is not an option. Unity multiplies strength, loyalty and effectiveness.

Your Followers Are Waiting on You To Go First

Gavin Adams

April 4, 2023

Leaders lead the way. Which is why leadership is so scary.

Leading the way requires taking risks, potential failure, and embarrassment. Of course, leading the way is also how leaders make things better and make better things.

Leading the Way at a Billie Eilish Movie Concert

My 15-year-old is a raving Billie Eilish fan. She’ll tell you without hesitation that she’s been following her music since the beginning. There’s no bandwagoning with her.

Several weeks ago, Billie released in theaters a one-night-only concert event. When touring, she recorded a full concert and released it to the world on this one night. Obviously, my daughter insisted we go. So I got us tickets and began listening to Billie on repeat in preparation.

If you’re wondering, my favorite song is “Bellyache.”

Before the concert movie, my daughter mentioned that Billie told her fans to treat the movie as a real concert on Instagram. Meaning she invited everyone to get out of their seats, dance, sing, and participate. This sounds like a great idea until you enter the movie theater and find your nice, plush leather recliner. No one moved when the lights went out and the movie concert began. I mean, we had recliners. AND it’s scary to go first!

My daughter was not happy. She wanted to experience a concert, not sit and listen to music.

She looked around and realized the next hour and a half would be spent in our recliners unless somebody did something.

But who? That was the question.

Who was going to go first?

If You’re a Leader, Your Followers are Waiting for You To Lead

I’ll come back to the movie concert in a moment, but let’s talk about your role for a moment.

If you’re a leader, people watch and wait for you to go first. That’s what leaders do. They take the risk and march out into uncharted waters first.

While that feels scary and risky, we often forget that our followers aren’t standing back and watching us from afar. Most of our followers are right behind us. They are for us and with us. They just need us to go first. That’s what leaders do.

Remember, your followers aren’t cheering for your failure. Your failure is their failure, and your success becomes their success. They have your back when you step out to make things better and make a better thing. They aren’t watching; they are following. Often right behind you, supporting you.

When a leader goes first, all they can see is the unknown future ahead. I imagine if we could also see the group of people behind us, that unknown future wouldn’t look as scary. Going first often looks worse than it is.

But you still have to take that step.

5 Mistakes Pastors Make with Church Finances

Ron Edmondson

April 4, 2023

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

Yvon Prehn

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

Dan Wilt

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

Tim Challies

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

Stephanie Martin

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

Jesse T. Jackson

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

Janna Firestone

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

Jessica Mouser

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

Dale Chamberlain

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

Morning Star News

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!

Ray Hollenbach

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.

How Do You Handle Conflict?

Maundy Thursday Devotion

1. He showed them the full extent of his love (v1).

2. The devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus (v2).

Read the final three points of this Maundy Thursday Devotion on Page 2

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