Use Tragedy for God’s Purpose, Relatives of Slain Grandfather, Grandsons Tell Church

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June 7, 2022

Tragedy — Houston Northwest Church pastor Steve Bezner, left, stands on stage with Glen Collins before Collins addressed the congregation Sunday (June 5).

HOUSTON (BP) – Three days after a grandfather and four of his grandsons were found murdered at the family ranch, family members stood before Houston Northwest Church and encouraged others not to lose hope or forget that God is gracious.

“I lost my best friend. He kept me sharp,” said Glen Collins of his brother, Mark.

Mark Collins, 66, was found dead at the property west of Centerville alongside his grandsons Waylon, 18, Carson, 16, Hudson, 11, and Bryson, 11. The group had gone there Thursday, June 2, to do some fishing at the conclusion of the school year. Investigators believe they were killed by a prison escapee who then stole their truck and was killed later that evening by police in a shootout.

Hundreds of mourners gathered the next day at a baseball field in Tomball, northwest of Houston, to commemorate the victims. Waylon Collins was a recent graduate of Tomball High School and an umpire for Little League baseball.

Speaking June 5 at Houston Northwest Church, Glen Collins urged attendees and viewers to find comfort in the Lord, as he has.

“My message is encouragement,” he said. “This is my home and you are my people, and this is where I find solace and comfort. God is still God, and we’re not.

“There was a purpose when His son suffered so much more than my family [has]. … That purpose is why I know I will see my loved ones again.”

Keith Mitcham, Mark Collins’ brother-in-law, also addressed the congregation.

“Evil did visit our doorsteps,” he said. In those times, he added, it is important to remember where to gather strength in tragic situations.

“Jesus said, ‘Abide in me.’ And by abiding in Him, we’re letting Christ abide in us. We’re connected to the vine. You realize that serving God is easier, then, because you’re no longer the one producing the fruit. You’re just connected to the vine.

“Yes, we live in an evil world, but God is sovereign. For Him to have allowed this to happen, there’s a greater good that He will accomplish through all of this.”

A cross, flowers and a box to hold letters of encouragement for the family sit at the start of the driveway to the property, Mitcham said. A sign will soon be added to the fence announcing Romans 5:20 – “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”

Houston Northwest pastor Steve Bezner told Baptist Press that the comments mirrored the faithful disposition of the Collins family.

“They are just heartbroken,” he said. “But they are hopeful, because they believe in a God larger than any tragedy.”

Glen Collins’ words reflected that assessment.

“Let me tell you how we make it through this – because we have a hope grounded in the cross. That is our saving grace.

“… Let’s use this for God’s purpose, to bring others to His Son.”

This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.

5 Guideposts on the Road Back to Joy

By

Dan Reiland

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June 7, 2022

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

How do you wake up in the morning?

Sunnyside up?
A little scrambled?
Over-hard?

Maybe you wake up cheery.

Maybe you have to warm up to cheery; you need coffee, a shower, breakfast, etc.

I have to warm up. I get there pretty quick, but it’s not automatic; I’m a little scrambled for a short while.

How about you?

We’re all different, but what we have in common is the knowledge and desire for something deeper, an inner sense of joy, and a longing for it.

We know several things about joy.

It’s a fruit of the Spirit.
We all desire it.
You can choose to cultivate it.
It’s elusive under pressure, but you can have it even on difficult days.
You can’t go the distance without it.

With all this being true, where does joy break down?

For context, we should keep in mind that the last couple of years of any leader’s life has stolen some joy, but take heart; it can be restored.

Let’s start by identifying some of the common thieves of joy.

Unrelenting high levels of pressure
Living outside your calling or serving in the wrong place
Leading in a toxic or unhealthy environment
Lack of close relationships and friends you trust
Unresolved conflict at home
Feeling unappreciated or unwanted
Working hard but little results

Thieves of joy are real, but we must not allow ordinary circumstances to rob us of that joy. There will always be something waiting to steal it from you. It’s in the inner life that you cultivate with God that sustains true joy.

The absence of joy often manifests itself as discouragement.

Prolonged discouragement can drain your passion and energy and even leave a soul-level wound.

As Christian leaders, we must trust God for the potential of true joy, and if a thief comes and discouragement is the result, we have a road back to joy.

The Road Back To Joy

1. “Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship; it is a consequence.” (Eugene Peterson)

True and lasting joy cannot be summoned, manufactured, or purchased. Instead, it comes from a deeper place, an endless source, God Himself.

“We come to God because none of us have it within ourselves, except momentarily, to be joyous. Joy is a product of abundance; it is the overflow of vitality. It is life working together harmoniously. We can’t manage that for long on our own.”

Eugene Peterson, from “A Long Road of Obedience in the Same Direction.”

Therefore, joy can’t be found in lasting abundance when there is distance from God.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit — a gift of God that comes from continued closeness with Him and the endeavor to live according to His Word.

2. The presence of joy does not mean the absence of pain.

I’ve struggled to fully embrace the New Testament’s clarity about suffering in a Christian’s life, but it’s undeniable. It’s part of life, and further, we are called to share in Christ’s sufferings.

We May Not Long for Death, but We Long for Heaven

By

Randy Alcorn

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June 7, 2022

Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears… The LORD has spoken!” (NLT). God could have said death will cease or come to an end. Or fade away. But no, like a great lion, God is stalking Death as His prey. When the moment is right, He will attack, take death by the throat, break its neck, and consume it. Death will not die of natural causes. God will kill it once and for all. The work is already done. His death and resurrection will ultimately overcome. Yet death is still with us. Death is already defeated, but not yet—this is the “already and not yet” paradox.

When Jesus annihilates death, it shall be no more. We will not fear it, and it will have no hold on us. Don’t you long for that day?

Below are some quotes on death and longing for Heaven, our eternal home, that I cite in Eternal Perspectives.

I may not long for death, but I surely long for heaven. —Joseph Bayly, A Voice in the Wilderness

It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day. —Matthew Henry

Let us greet the day which assigns each of us to his own home, which snatches us from this place and sets us free from the snares of the world, and restores us to paradise and the kingdom. Anyone who has been in foreign lands longs to return to his own native land. . . . We regard paradise as our native land. —Cyprian, Mortality

To come to Thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come to rest after long labour, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes. —Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

A man on his deathbed turned to his physician and mumbled, “What is Heaven like, Doctor?” How could the physician describe Heaven in such brief moments? As his mind searched for an answer for his friend, the doctor heard his dog scratching at the door. “Can you hear my dog scratching at your door?” inquired the physician. The sick man assured him that he could. “Well,” the doctor said, “Heaven must be like that. My dog does not know what is in this room. He only knows he wants to be with me. So it is with Heaven! Our Master is there. That is all we need to know!” —James Jeremiah, The Place Called Heaven

Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss. And, after death, what cometh? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight? —Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise. …There was something we grasped at, in that first moment of longing, which just fades away in the reality. —C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The Goal of the Cell Group

By

Joel Comiskey Group

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June 7, 2022

If your church is going to use a cell group strategy, it’s best to define your cell group goals.

The Goal of the Cell Group

Myth: The cell church is all about the cell.

Most people would never accuse the cell church of not focusing on the cell. After all, those within the cell movement agree that the cell is its crown jewel. All other cell systems spring from the cell, and it deserves a central role. But is it possible to become too enamored by and focused on the cell? Are there other more important priorities?

Truth: The goal of the cell church is to make disciples.

Scripture is clear in Matthew 28:18-20 that the church is called to make disciples. Jesus never told the church to go and start cells. Rather, he told them to make disciples in all nations.

Some people think I’m too fanatical about cells. I surprise them when I tell them I’m not passionate about cells in and of themselves. Rather, my focus is on making disciples. God’s purpose is to make disciples who make other disciples.

So what does this have to do with the cell? I believe the cell is the best vehicle to make disciples who make other disciples (multiplication).

Jesus himself modeled this truth to the world when he chose twelve men and then lived in a small community with them for three years. He discipled his twelve in an environment where he could give plenty of practical instructions and interact with them.

Much of Christ’s teaching was show and tell, and as the disciples matured, they were able to lead the church.

The disciples continued to make other disciples in that same environment. When the Spirit of God descended on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. The Spirit came down in a powerful way, and the disciples of Jesus began to meet from house to house. Believers met in houses where they could love one another, practice hospitality and continue the work of Jesus. Although their time with the Master influenced them to meet from house to house, it was also part of their Jewish heritage from the time of Jethro’s counsel to Moses to break up into groups of ten.

The same disciples who were nourished in house-to-house ministry spread the gospel by planting house churches and connecting them to celebration gatherings when possible (Acts 2:42-46).

This article on the cell group originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Truths About God: 20 Must-Know Biblical Truths for Kids

By

Dale Hudson

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June 6, 2022

Truths about God that we share with children change their life forever. When a child grabs hold of a truth from God’s Word and internalizes it, that can alter the trajectory of their life. That’s why we assembled these 20 key biblical truths for kids.

Use them often in your Sunday school classes and children’s worship services. You can’t repeat them too much!

Truths About God: 20 Biblical Truths for Kids to Learn

Here’s a list of 20 biblical truths for kids. Give these to parents to speak into their children’s lives. And refer to these truths about God often at church, planting them in kids’ lives and hearts.

1. God loves you. Unconditionally.

You can’t do anything to make him love you any less or more. (Galatians 2:20)

2. Jesus died on the cross so you can be forgiven.

Celebrate this free gift of salvation! (Romans 5:8)

3. God has a special plan for your life.

Always remember you have a God-given purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. The Bible is the source of truth for you.

Nothing else offers truths about God or life. (Psalm 119:160)

5. God hears and answers when you pray.

We can talk to God any time, and he always listens. (Jeremiah 33:3)

6. You are unique.

No one else is just like you. (Psalm 139:14)

7. You can do anything God asks you to do with his power.

God gives us strength! (Philippians 4:13)

8. Jesus will always be with you.

No matter what you go through, Jesus is by your side. (Psalm 23:4)

9. God will give you wisdom to make good choices.

Use your decisions to honor Jesus. (James 1:5)

10. You can be strong and brave with God.

Don’t be afraid! (Joshua 1:7)

SBC Abuse Survivors Issue Joint Statement Urging 4 Reforms That ‘Need Immediate Action’

By

Jessica Lea

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June 6, 2022

Seven survivors of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention have issued a joint statement calling for four reforms to be implemented immediately. Among the actions sexual abuse survivors urge are the creation of a restoration fund and the addition of a memorial in front of SBC headquarters. — FILE - In this Tuesday, June 11, 2019 file photo, Christa Brown, of Denver, Colo., speaks during a rally in Birmingham, Ala., outside the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. Brown, an author and retired attorney, says she was abused by a Southern Baptist minister as a child. After reading an investigative report released by the SBC on Sunday, May 22, 2022, Brown said it “fundamentally confirms what Southern Baptist clergy sex abuse survivors have been saying for decades. ... I view this investigative report as a beginning, not an end. The work will continue." (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

Seven survivors of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have issued a joint statement calling for four reforms to be implemented immediately. Among the actions the sexual abuse survivors urge are the creation of a restoration fund for survivors and the funding of a memorial devoted to all survivors and named in honor of Christa Brown.

“We come now collectively, as SBC sexual abuse survivors, urging transformative action to addressing sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Southern Baptist Convention,” the statement begins. “While we respect the necessity of extensive recommendations as brought forth in the Guidepost Report and by the Sexual Abuse Task Force, together we urge that the following actions be taken immediately.”

SBC Sexual Abuse Survivors Urge Action

The survivors’ statement comes in the wake of a devastating report released May 22 by Guidepost Solutions that found that for two decades, SBC leaders hid allegations of sexual abuse, protected predators, and suppressed the voices of survivors.

Those who signed the statement are Jules Woodson, Christa Brown, Dave Pittman, Tiffany Thigpen, Anne Marie Miller, Jennifer Lyell and Megan Lively. Their statement echoes some of the reforms recommended by the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF), which oversaw the Guidepost investigation.

The first action the survivors list is to “create an Independent Commission, authorized to operate in perpetuity, with initial members appointed by the SBC president elected at the 2022 Convention.” The commission will consist of people who are licensed, trained professionals who will receive and investigate reports about clergy sex abuse.

Second, the SBC sexual abuse survivors urge the creation of “an independently administered and publicly accessible ‘Ministry Check’ database of clergy.” The database will include ministry leaders whom independent investigations have found to be “credibly accused, or to have substantial allegations, or who are criminally convicted of sexual abuse.”

Third, the survivors ask for “a survivor restoration fund.” This fund will be for anyone who has experienced clergy sex abuse within the SBC, even if they no longer have any connection with the denomination. An independent master will oversee the fund, and “no one within the SBC shall have any control over how the survivor chooses to use the money or over what therapist a survivor chooses.”

The fourth action the survivors list is to “establish outside SBC headquarters in Nashville a permanent memorial, dedicated to all survivors of SBC clergy sex abuse and named in honor of Christa Brown.” This step stipulates that Brown shall have full control over the development of this memorial, and “she shall have even the right to demolish it in subsequent years for whatever reason she chooses, including if the SBC uses her name as a PR prop.”

SBC’s Reckoning With Abuse Raises Concerns About Missions Budget

By

Stephanie Martin

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June 6, 2022

After the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee voted on budget revisions last week to address sexual abuse reforms, some people are expressing concern that missions efforts will suffer as a result. Others emphasize that sin is costly and that healing is a priority.

At the SBC’s annual meeting next week in Anaheim, California, denominational voters known as messengers will consider recommendations from the Sexual Abuse Task Force and how to fund them. The SATF recommendations follow the May 22 release of a scathing report from Guidepost Solutions. According to investigators, SBC leaders for two decades prioritized polity and risk-management over protecting victims and survivors.

With Sexual Abuse Reforms, IMB Will Lose $4.5 Million for Missions, Says Paul Chitwood

On June 3, “The Pathway” (a publication of the Missouri Baptist Convention) published an article titled “IMB President: EC proposals will cost IMB $4.5 million.” It cites Paul Chitwood, president of the SBC’s International Mission Board, who says, “Because the SBC Executive Committee’s new plan for funding this effort comes from the Cooperative Program, all SBC entities will be impacted. For the IMB, this means Southern Baptist missionaries will receive approximately $4.5 million less over the next 15 months.”

Supporting one missionary in the field for one year costs about $60,000, according to the IMB, so that means 75 fewer missionaries due to cuts.

Chitwood adds, “While recognizing that the Executive Committee had very limited options, due to the financial implication to missionary funding, we would have welcomed the opportunity to be part of the funding discussion and, together, to seek creative solutions that would not have impacted gospel advance among the nations as deeply.”

He also emphasizes the importance of the SATF, saying the IMB “is fully supportive” of its work. The missions organization commits “to support the decision of the messengers in Anaheim and will make whatever organizational adjustments necessary, with our shared goal of preventing abuse and providing compassionate support to victims,” Chitwood says.

On June 2, “The Pathway” published an editorial by Chitwood titled “Abuse response ‘absolutely necessary’ to model Christ-like compassion.”

Chitwood is optimistic that church members will boost their giving to meet increased needs. He says, “We are praying that, through the growing generosity of Southern Baptists’ giving through the Lottie Offering, 100% of which goes to fund our missionaries and their work overseas, we can continue to fund not only our existing missionary force but the goal of growing that force by 500 new missionaries.”

Sexual Abuse Reforms: Money Is Needed to Repair Sin’s Destruction

As news of potential cuts to IMB funding spread, people debated denominational priorities, the consequences of sin, and more. David Paul, a Baptist missionary to South Asian Muslims, tweeted: “I think it’s healthy for the SBC to frame our conversations around the SATF in terms of lost potential in doing the Great Commission. It shows us the destructive power of sin. When a Christian leader sins, the consequences are vast. But we must do the right thing which costs $.”

Religion professor Rafael Bello writes: “I’m in Brazil and the SBC is getting national coverage because of the abuse scandal. Sending missionaries without implementing reform is already making SBC missionaries’ life harder. So, spend the money and help the missionaries *already* on the field have trustworthy witness.”

Kyle James Howard, a “preacher and trauma informed soul care provider,” tweets: “The fact SBC leaders are lamenting having to spend several million $ to advance the protection of women & children from abuse b/c it’ll limit the amount of missionaries it can support proves they are indifferent to the abuse itself & are totally okay w/ spreading contamination.”

DC Talk’s Kevin Max Tweets Support for Pride Month, Daughter Who Is Gay

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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June 6, 2022

Kevin Max Smith of Christian music’s iconic group DC Talk expressed support for Pride month on Twitter last week, publicly affirming his and his wife’s support for their daughter, who is gay.

Pride month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community held every June as a tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

President Bill Clinton officially recognized “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” in 1999 and 2000. That tradition was picked back up by President Barack Obama, who recognized June as “LGBT Pride Month” throughout his presidency from 2009 to 2016. After four years of it not being nationally recognized—except for a minor social media post by President Donald Trump in 2019—President Joe Biden announced June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in 2021 during his first year in office.

Kevin Max (Audio Adrenaline, Sad Astronauts) is a Christian music icon who became popular during the successful 12-year run of DC Talk, which was also fronted by TobyMac and Michael Tait (Newsboys, Tait). Their success made them pioneers in Christian music, pushing the boundaries of what were then considered edgy sounds in the genre.

DC Talk collected 4 Grammy Awards and over 15 Dove Awards. Although the band hasn’t put an album out since 1998, they technically haven’t officially disbanded. While the three superstars have focused on their solo careers and other bands since 2000, DC Talk reunited for two themed cruises in 2017 and 2019. The band was rumored to announce a reunion tour in 2020, but that never came to pass because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Max, who has often referred to himself as the “black sheep” of the band, has never been shy about what he’s thinking or feeling, especially when it comes to his faith.

Last spring, Max confirmed that he has been “deconstructing, reconstructing, progressing” his Christian faith for years. “I still follow the Universal Christ…I have no idea how many people’s blogs or podcasts are using that announcement for further division, but I’m here for The Grace,” he tweeted.

Kevin Max calls himself an exvangelical, a term used by those who have left the evangelical movement, and has said, “I don’t think the God that I believe in is just all the sudden going to ignore me because I don’t believe every single thing that’s written down somewhere.”

This past Wednesday, Max shared that his daughter is gay while showing support for Pride Month, tweeting to his 28,300 followers, “My daughter is gay and my wife and I are proud to volunteer for this years @franklinpridetn @PFLAGNashville to support her and so many wonderful people in our community.” The singer ended his post with the hashtags #pridemonth2022 and #PRIDE.

Historic Evangelical Publisher Posts Reading List for Pride Month

By

Dale Chamberlain

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June 6, 2022

Eerdmans Publishing Comany — Left: photo by Katie Rainbow (via Unsplash); Right: photo by Patrick Tomasso (via Unsplash)

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, a prominent evangelical publisher since its founding in 1911, has posted a reading list of books for Christians to consider for LGBTQ Pride Month.

For over a century, Eerdmans has been an important institution within the broader evangelical movement, publishing both academic and popular works in Christian theology, biblical studies, religious history, social and cultural issues, and spirituality.

Through the years, Eerdmans has published works by prominent voices such as C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, Karl Barth, Mark Noll, and David Bebbington.

“June is Pride Month, and you’ve probably seen countless businesses touting their rainbow flags, multi-colored logos or raising their support in different ways. Yet, there is still such disunity and unrest on this topic, among people of faith especially,” Eerdmans said in a blog post on June 3. “We find ourselves at a time again where we should be willing to listen and seek to understand those in the LGBTQ+ community who are simply fighting to be seen and heard, cared for and loved.”

“This month, as an Eerdmans reading community, we hope you’ll take time to listen,” the post continued. “Check out some of our upcoming and previously published books that give a voice to wonderful stories of life, love, rocky relationships, and what the Bible has to say about it all.”

The list includes six books, one of which is currently available for preorder. That title, “In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture” by Shannon T.L. Kearns, will release in August of this year and reflects “on well-known biblical narratives—such as Jacob wrestling with the divine, Rahab and the Israelite spies, Ezekiel and the dry bones, and the transfiguration of Jesus.”

“In each chapter, Shannon shows how stories have helped him make sense of his own identity, and how those same stories can unlock the transformative power of faith for those willing to listen with an open mind and stand alongside him in the in-between,” the book’s description says.

Other titles on the list include “Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church” by Sally Gary and “Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships” by Karen R. Keen.

Eerdmans tweeted a link to the blog post on Friday but deleted it after receiving a barrage of online criticism.

“Wherever you stand or whatever you think you know, #PrideMonth is an important time to take a step back, listen to real stories, and seek to understand,” the now-deleted tweet said.

Elizabeth II’s 70 Years as Head of the Church of England

By

Catherine Pepinster

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June 6, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince William watch from the balcony of Buckingham Place after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch's 70 years of service.(Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)

LONDON (RNS) — If you want to understand a nation, listen to its national anthem. “The Star-Spangled Banner” urges Americans to look out for the flag that waves over “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” “La Marseillaise,” the anthem of republican France, calls its citizens to arms. But the UK’s national anthem is a prayer, urging God to “save” — grant long life to — the queen.

It’s a clear sign that in Britain, the head of state, the country and faith are inextricably linked. This week “God Save the Queen” has been ringing out across Britain as the country has marked the 70^th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II, the longest-serving English monarch.

When Elizabeth came to the throne in 1952, Britain was still being rebuilt after the end of World War II and its heavy bombing campaigns; Winston Churchill was prime minister and the country still had an empire. The young queen’s coronation suggested a new era — as the millions of television sets purchased to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony from London’s Westminster Abbey signaled.

But the coronation itself was steeped in tradition and confirmed the continuing intertwining of the monarchy and religion. The ceremony can be traced back more than 1,000 years and involves the anointing of the monarch who commits his or herself to a life of service to God and the people through sacred promises. One of those, to uphold the Protestant religion, is also a reminder of the religious divisions of the past.

The queen’s two titles of Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, given to her at her accession, also owe their existence to Reformation history. Defender of the Faith was first bestowed on Henry VIII by a grateful pope for the English king’s rebuttal of the teachings of Martin Luther, a title that Henry defiantly held onto even after breaking with Rome to found the Church of England. He made himself head, while his daughter, the first Elizabeth, called herself Supreme Governor of the Church of England, saying Jesus Christ was its head.

Today, the role of Supreme Governor indicates the British monarch retains a constitutional role regarding the established Church of England but does not govern or manage it. The modern Elizabeth has left that to the bishops, although she addresses general synods and has a role as a listener and guide to her primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

But while Defender of the Faith has been over the years an inherited title and little more, Elizabeth II appears to have embraced it and made it her own, speaking out very openly in recent years about her own Christian faith and explaining how it has provided the framework of her life.

She has done this mostly through the medium of her annual Christmas message, a tradition begun by her grandfather, George V, in 1932, and continued by her father, George VI. Her early Christmas Day broadcasts were platitudinous — the holidays as an occasion for family was a frequent theme. In 2000, however, she spoke of the Millennium as the 2,000-year anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, “who was destined to change the course of our history.”

Leaders of Color Respond to Guidepost Sex Abuse Report

By

Diana Chandler

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June 6, 2022

NASHVILLE (BP) – African American, Asian and Hispanic Southern Baptist leaders have responded to the Guidepost Solutions report of the Southern Baptist Convention’s handling of sexual abuse complaints spanning two decades.

Frank Williams, president of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC (NAAF) shared with Baptist Press a letter written on behalf of NAAF executive officers, its executive board and the approximately 4,000 African American Southern Baptist churches it serves.

“It is extremely disturbing and deeply saddening to learn that sexual abuse allegations were not appropriately addressed by the Executive Committee (EC) and other SBC agency leaders, who should have been more compassionate and empathetic to the victims of such acts and their resulting traumas,” Williams stated in the letter. “As a Fellowship, our heart and prayers go out to all of the survivors of sexual abuse.”

Williams expressed gratitude to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting messengers, the Sexual Abuse Task Force, SBC Executive Committee CEO Willie McLaurin, Executive Committee Chairman Rolland Slade and EC trustees for their work “during this unprecedented time of reckoning within the SBC.”

Williams described the report as a “clarion call” for churches to enact policies and practices to protect against and respond to allegations of abuse. Specifically, he encouraged African American pastors to pray for survivors, Southern Baptist churches and the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting; to actively engage in Southern Baptist life at all levels, and to promote “the value of collaborative fellowship, shared ownership, and cooperative stewardship that brings out the best in SBC Life.”

“It is our hope that as the messengers meet in a couple of weeks and seek to address the recommendations presented in the report,” Williams said, “that healing will begin, continue, or be experienced by survivors, churches, our agencies, and our denomination as a whole.”

Williams is senior pastor of Wake-Eden Community Church and Bronx Baptist Church, both in the Bronx borough of New York.

The Sexual Abuse Task Force released May 22 the Guidepost Solutions investigative report of how the Executive Committee handled sexual abuse allegations from 2000-2021. A list of credibly accused and convicted abusers was released days after the report.

A variety of leaders shared with Baptist Press their personal responses to the report, including leaders of Hispanic, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Lao and Myanmar groups.

Ramon Medina, president of the SBC Hispanic Council, expressed pain upon reading the report and learning “that many have been victims of this abuse.” While he used the collective pronoun “we,” his statement was not on behalf of the full council which represents approximately 3,040 Southern Baptist churches that are majority Hispanic.

“We pray for them and for each person involved in each of these unfortunate events. At the same time, we thank God for the courage of our SBC messengers to ask for transparency and demand this investigation,” Medina said. “Although the report has not been encouraging, we are sure that God blesses transparency. Bringing this painful report to light will help each church and SBC entity review its sexual abuse prevention processes. This will make churches and entities safer to fulfill the task of bringing the gospel to everyone.”

Medina is also SBC second vice president and lead pastor of Spanish Ministries at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston.

Woman Buoyed by Support After Viral Pastor Confrontation

By

Peter Smith

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June 6, 2022

Bobi Gephart hadn’t planned to go to church that Sunday — not to the worship service where the pastor intended to make a confession about the oppressive secret she had carried for so long.

But she quickly changed her mind, realizing she couldn’t trust the pastor – the man she says began sexually preying on her as a teenager – to share the whole truth.

Gephart hurried to New Life Christian Church & World Outreach in Warsaw, Indiana, arriving mid-service, and made sure her story was told.

Nearly a million viewers have witnessed what happened next in that May 22 confrontation, captured on video and posted on Facebook.

John B. Lowe II, the congregation’s longtime pastor, confessed on stage to “adultery” 20 years earlier. “I sinned,” he said, acknowledging he never previously admitted it publicly “to protect myself.”

Bobi and her husband, Nate Gephart, who had been watching from the congregation, then walked onto the stage and took the microphone.

“If you love us, please let us talk,” Nate said, handing the mic to his wife.

It was 27 years, she said, not 20, that she had “lived in a prison of lies and shame.”

“For years, I thought I was a horrible person, having suicidal thoughts, not realizing what had truly been done to me, that I was a victim,” she told him. “I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your office floor. Do you remember that? I know you do.”

She told Lowe “you kept me in your prison,” but “I’m a prisoner no longer.”

Bobi Gephart, now 43, told The Associated Press she wanted the church community to know the truth and had no idea the video, recorded by a family member in the congregation, would generate such a viral response. She’s received “overwhelming support,” she said.

“I didn’t realize how much this is helping and will help people,” she said. People “not just in this area but all over the world are reaching out to me. Their stories are so heartbreaking.”

Lowe resigned as pastor, the church said in a statement on May 23. The church said no one on staff had previously known about what happened, and it offered to help Gephart with “healing in any way in which we are able.”

Former Rhode Island Priest Indicted on Sex Abuse Charge

By

AP News

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June 6, 2022

Rhode Island Priest Sex Abuse Charge — Photo by Channel 82 (via Unsplash)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former Roman Catholic priest who served at several Rhode Island parishes has been indicted on a charge of sexually assaulting a juvenile about 40 years ago, the state attorney general’s office said Monday.

Kevin Fisette, 66, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on a charge of first-degree sexual assault, authorities said.

The alleged assault on a boy occurred in Burrillville between Jan. 1, 1981, and Dec. 31, 1982 when Fisette was serving as a deacon at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Hopkinton and as a chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital, officials said.

Fisette, who currently lives in Killingly, Connecticut, was ordained in November 1981. He is already on the Diocese of Providence’s list of clergy credibly accused of abuse, and according to that list, was removed from ministry in 2009.

Messages seeking comment were left with Fisette’s attorney and the Diocese of Providence.

Attorney General Peter Neronha in 2019 opened a review of allegations of sexual abuse in the diocese shortly after the diocese released a list of 50 clerics, religious order priests and deacons it deemed to have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children, dating to 1950.

The diocese voluntarily agreed to give the attorney general and the Rhode Island State Police access to all complaints since 1950, whether deemed credible by the diocese or not.

Rhode Island is one of the most heavily Catholic U.S. states.

Fisette is the fourth former priest to be indicted as part of the latest review.

“Our broad investigation of clergy child sexual abuse in Rhode Island has had, from its inception, two principal purposes: to prepare a comprehensive report of our findings regarding such abuse and the diocese’s response to it, and along the way bringing individual criminal cases as they are developed, where the facts as alleged warrant them,” Neronha said in a statement.

The investigation remains ongoing, he said.

This article originally appeared here.

Report: Religious Freedom Violations Continue Around World

By

Tom Strode

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June 6, 2022

WASHINGTON (BP) – Governments and societies throughout the world continue to violate religious freedom, but progress was made in some countries during the last year, U.S. State Department officials said Thursday (June 2) upon the release of an annual report.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and ambassador-at-large Rashad Hussain offered their assessments of the global state of the right to believe and practice faith in presenting the State Department’s 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom. The report, which is required each year by a 1998 law, evaluated the condition of religious liberty in nearly 200 countries and territories.

“In many parts of the world, governments are failing to respect their citizens’ basic rights,” Blinken said, adding all societies “must do more to combat rising forms of hate, including anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment.”

Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are examples of countries where religious freedom is violated, Blinken told reporters at a briefing. Also, the rights of religious minorities “are under threat” in such countries as India, Nigeria and Vietnam, he said.

Yet, Iraq, Morocco, Taiwan and Timor-Leste are among the countries where “notable progress” was achieved, Blinken said.

Hussain, who received Senate confirmation in December 2021 as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, said, “From Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia; Jews in Europe; Baha’is in Iran; Christians in North Korea, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia; Muslims in Burma and China; Catholics in Nicaragua; and atheists and humanists around the world, no community has been immune from these abuses.”

Southern Baptist public policy specialist Chelsea Sobolik told Baptist Press after the report’s release: “As millions of people face persecution at the hands of their government and millions more are forcibly displaced, the role of the U.S. State Department is increasingly important to ensure that international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority.

“We must always advocate for governments to cease persecution of their citizens and work to advance protection of life and conscience around the world,” said Sobolik, director of public policy for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, in written comments.

Hussain told reporters the primary themes in this year’s report are:

“Too many governments use discriminatory laws and policies and abuse their own people.
“Rising societal intolerance and hatred are fueling violence and conflict around the world.
“Powerful collaboration among civil society, governments and multi-lateral partners has led to some progress and provides hope in addressing these complex challenges.”

Civil society, which includes religious leaders and organizations, is essential to the work, Hussain said, adding: “Our greatest hope is that together we can unite our efforts to ensure respect for freedom of religion or belief for all people around the globe.”

Pastor Shot at by Uvalde Gunman Recounts Terror in Sermon

By

Jay Reeves

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June 6, 2022

texas pastor — Gilbert Limones, one of the first targets of a gunman who killed 21 people at an elementary school, speaks during an interview at the church he pastors in Uvalde, Texas, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Limones, who came under fire outside the funeral home where he works near the school, wasn't hurt and has since helped prepare some of the young victims for burial. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Gilbert Limones and a coworker at a funeral home were among the first people shot at by the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. He’s spent most of his days since helping prepare for the young victims’ burials and consoling shattered families.

On Sunday, Limones swapped his role of funeral attendant for that of a preacher trying to comfort a community and explain horror that defies easy answers. He’s also the pastor at Casa El Shaddai, a small church located less than a mile from where the carnage occurred.

“When tragedies happen, all the enemy needs is a willing vessel,” Limones told his congregation of about 35, meeting for the first time in an old restaurant converted into a worship space.

While Limones didn’t suffer any physical injuries, he said he is exhausted and wracked with guilt that he couldn’t do something to stop the bloodshed. He has spent hours in tears or prayer, sometimes both at the same time.

Still, Limones tried to find the words to assuage his part of a heavily Hispanic town of 16,000 that’s sad, confused and raw with emotion nearly two weeks after the slaughter. Satan brought confusion and hurt, he said, but the faithful have a defense.

“Church, you are armed by this,” he said, holding up a Bible. It was Limones’ first sermon since the killing; he was too busy with work at the funeral home to serve last week.

Limones, who preaches in both Spanish and English, has salt-and-pepper hair and a smile that’s wide in happy times. He was animated before the congregation, which meets just one right turn and another left away from Robb Elementary School and Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home. The two sit on opposite sides of Geraldine Street, near where 18-year-old Salvador Ramos shot and wounded his grandmother in the face at home before the school attack.

On the morning of May 24, Limones and Cody Briseno, another funeral attendant at Hillcrest, heard a vehicle crash. A gray Ford pickup truck had come to rest in a concrete ditch behind the school and across from the funeral home, and they soon saw a man dressed all in black beside the passenger door, according to a search warrant.

Authorities said Limones and Briseno walked toward the man but retreated when they realized he was putting a magazine into a rifle. A shooter identified as Ramos fired multiple times at them.

Limones said he recalls hearing someone yell about a weapon and then turning, only to hear the “pop, pop, pop” of gunfire behind him. The shooter was within about 150 feet (46 meters) of him but missed somehow, Limones said.

Limones said he got away as quickly as he could, cringing at every shot, and calling police as soon as he could. “I was screaming, screaming at 911,” he said.

But Ramos turned the gun on the school’s exterior and then entered the building through a door that authorities say didn’t lock when a teacher pulled it shut. “I saw it all,” said Limones.

Over 50 Feared Dead in Nigeria Church Attack, Officials Say

By

Associated Press

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June 6, 2022

nigeria church — A view of the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo Nigeria, Sunday, June 5, 2022. Lawmakers in southwestern Nigeria say more than 50 people are feared dead after gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives at a church. Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole with the Ondo State House of Assembly said the gunmen targeted the St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state on Sunday morning just as the worshippers gathered for the weekly Mass. (AP Photo/Rahaman A Yusuf)

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen opened fire on worshippers and detonated explosives at a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria on Sunday, leaving dozens feared dead, state lawmakers said.

The attackers targeted the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state just as the worshippers gathered on Pentecost Sunday, legislator Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole said. Among the dead were many children, he said.

The presiding priest was abducted as well, said Adelegbe Timileyin, who represents the Owo area in Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber.

“Our hearts are heavy,” Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tweeted Sunday. “Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people.”

Authorities did not immediately release an official death toll. Timileyin said at least 50 people had been killed, though others put the figure higher. Videos appearing to be from the scene of the attack showed church worshippers lying in pools of blood while people around them wailed.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said “only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act,” according to a statement from his spokesman.

“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win,” said Buhari, who was elected after vowing to end Nigeria’s prolonged security crisis.

In Rome, Pope Francis responded to news of the attack.

“The pope has learned of the attack on the church in Ondo, Nigeria and the deaths of dozens of worshippers, many children, during the celebration of Pentecost. While the details are being clarified, Pope Francis prays for the victims and the country, painfully affected at a time of celebration, and entrusts them both to the Lord so that he may send his spirit to console them,” the pope said in a statement issued by the Vatican press office.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack on the church. While much of Nigeria has struggled with security issues, Ondo is widely known as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states. The state, though, has been caught up in a rising violent conflict between farmers and herders.

Nigeria’s security forces did not immediately respond to questions about how the attack occurred or if there are any leads about suspects. Owo is about 345 kilometers (215 miles) east of Lagos.

“In the history of Owo, we have never experienced such an ugly incident,” said lawmaker Oluwole. “This is too much.”

This article originally appeared here.

A Dozen Ways Ministers Can Give Some Direction to Their Ministry Rather Than Be Driven by It

By

James Scott Jr.

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June 6, 2022

A couple months ago I sent a text to a fellow minister asking if he would be available to meet over lunch to discuss something pertaining to ministry. He was happy to and said he could pencil me in … the following month!

It’s not uncommon for ministers to have calendars so overflowing it’s difficult to get any time with them, or for them to have adequate time for everything filling their calendars.

That isn’t always by design.

Many ministers feel like ministry demands drive them … because often they do. It can be easy to become so wrapped up in all the things that need to be done, along with all the things people want you to do, plus the things you think you should do, that ministry seems to sweep you away. Ministers in particular seem susceptible to the “Butterfly Effect,” something explained in this story from the Los Angeles Times …

In 1961, meteorologist Edward Lorenz developed a computer program to predict weather patterns. One day he was in a hurry and set a computer calculation that was supposed to be .506127 to .506. He figured a thousandth of a percent would be irrelevant. Later in the day, he restarted the program and found a radically different prediction in weather patterns. He produced a paper stating that a very small change in initial conditions could have a radical change in results. A fellow scientist said that if Lorenz was correct, a single flap of a seagull’s wing could change the course of the weather forever.

In 1972, Lorenz presented a paper called, “Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wing in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?” The idea that a little change somewhere in the world could produce huge changes somewhere else became known as the “Butterfly Effect.”

You probably know several fellow ministers who are so busy that a simple little interruption to their schedule ignites potential chaos. Yet, the “Butterfly Effect” doesn’t always have to work in the negative; sometimes, making small changes, or a change, can improve a person’s situation. For example, let’s look at a dozen ways ministers can find themselves driven by ministry, and a change they can make for each one to regain direction:

Broad v. Narrow – Some ministers think they need to be involved in EVERYTHING, or their congregations or elders think they do. It’s easy to spread yourself so broadly that you quickly become ineffective. Tightening that to a more narrow area of activity you’re personally involved in allows for greater opportunity to be more effective.

Big v. Simple – Long ago ministers bought into the myth that “big” is the goal, so their calendars are full of one “big” program after another. But big is not always best, or even beneficial. Making one change to a “simple church” concept means you and the church you lead focuses on keeping ministry simple by committing time and resources to primary ministry that achieves the church’s mission and vision of ministry. To learn more about the “simple church” concept, I recommend the book, “Simple Church,” by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger (you can find it on Amazon by clicking here).

Multi-tasking v. Focused – For years, it was taught that great leaders were great multi-taskers, and “being good at” multi-tasking was something boasted about on resumes and during interviews. After all that push to get people to do as much as possible at once, multiple studies have shown that people actually accomplish more, and produce higher quality work, by NOT multi-tasking but focusing on one thing at a time. This takes greater discipline and effective time management, but you can choose to accomplish a lot of things with mediocrity, or focus on specific things to do them well.

Harried v. Helped – It’s generally thought that ministers “burn out” by doing too much. But sometimes the root cause for burn out is being overtly harried because they don’t have any help. Making sure you have help changes things dramatically. Elders who are engaged in serving the congregation and community with ministerial staff contribute to a less harried ministry. Making sure your church has deacons in place to serve the needs of the church also makes ministry less harried for the minister. Make time to work with your fellow leaders to make sure you have adequate help in place so that you’re not so harried you cannot serve well.

Hurried v. Paced – When you know you’re demanding of yourself more than properly fits into the time allotted, everything you do will be hurried. Hurried ministry is sloppy ministry. At some point, you have to come to terms with the fact there’s only so much time in a day, and embrace delegating that time as wisely as possible – and have peace about doing so. It’s irrational, and anxiety-producing, to expect too much with too little time and/or resources.

3 Prayers for My Graduating Daughter

By

Andrew Linder

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June 4, 2022

Last month, our daughter turned 18, and this month, she’s graduating and preparing to head off for college.

Whoever said that “the days go by slow, but the years go by fast” must have been a parent with experience, because it’s so true.

As I think back on 18 years of joy-filled memories, my heart is truly thankful to God for the precious gift of our daughter. She has made me a better man and our family a stronger home.

Here are 3 prayers I pray for my daughter as she enters into her next season of life.

I pray for your purity of heart.

Faith, you are a rare diamond in the ruff. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a person with as big and pure a heart as yours. You love without limits. You shine without shame. You graciously give without gain. Because this world is such an impure place, I pray that you never lose the beautiful purity of heart that God has gifted to you. I pray that you always continue to forgive and never stop seeing only the best in others. Always keep smiling through both joy and pain. Always keep singing and sharing your story. Always keep becoming more like Jesus, the purest one of all.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

I pray for your sensitivity to God.

Nothing will take you farther or help you accomplish more for God’s kingdom than your consistent daily walk with Lord. I’ve watched you daily spend time in the word every morning, reading, praying, and listening to the voice of God, and it thrills my heart to see how sensitive you are to God’s spirit and leading in your life. I pray that you never stop. I still believe the words of D.L. Moody when he said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man (or woman) who is fully consecrated to him.” I think of you when I read this.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

I pray for your joy-filled faith.

”Joy-filled Faith” are words that describe you to a ’T’. I’m one of the most low-key people most may ever meet, so I’m amazed that God gave me a daughter with such spunk, fun, humor, and zeal for life (you must get all of that from your mother)! You are the life of every party, the ‘best friend’ of every friend, and the best giver of hugs that I know. You bring so much joy to so many people, including myself. Thank you for being my greatest encourager. I’m going to miss you, and especially getting my daily squeeze. I pray that no matter where life takes you, you’ll continue to leak God’s love and joy wherever you go. And I pray that you never forget to let God daily keep filling you up as you faithfully pour yourself out.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12)

Faith, as you graduate, may you always remember that we love you more than you could know. May God help these three things that he has given you be a part of the rest of your life as you pierce undeniable light into a world full of darkness! Because it’s on the darkest nights that the brightest stars shine. Never stop shining!

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

What to Do if Church Volunteers Don’t Come Back for a While

By

Karl Vaters

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June 4, 2022

There are widespread concerns among pastors and church leaders that some of our regular church members may not be in a hurry to come back after pandemic restrictions are lifted. Some not for a while, some not ever.

Here’s an expression of that concern from my friend and fellow small-church encourager, Dale Sellers in a recent tweet:

There’s a strong possibility that some of your key volunteers may not return immediately. . . This deeply concerns me because most small church leaders will just pick up the slack created by this void. . . It’s highly likely that they won’t put it back down in the future!

Dale Sellers, of 95Network

Lately, I’ve written three articles about post-pandemic church attendance, here, here and here. But what about Dale’s concern? What if the people who aren’t coming back are the volunteers you’re relying on to get things up and running again? And how can we respond to that without burning ourselves out?

Here are some of my thoughts based on previous experience I’ve had with absent volunteers and burned-out pastors. Please feel free to add your ideas in the comments, below.

‪1. Be slow to add programs back into the rotation

When you offer fewer programs, you need fewer volunteers.

The recovery time from this pandemic will be very gradual.

Giving people the chance to go slow as we recoup may be one way to help everyone (including you, pastor!) recover from the challenges we’ve been facing, and prepare us for the challenges that are likely to come in the post-pandemic fallout.

‪2. Stop some programs altogether

Stopping programs permanently is not giving in or giving up.

Most churches are over-programmed. And most small churches are extremely over-programmed.

If you had to stop some or all of your church programs during the pandemic, don’t rush to restart them. Use this as a chance to trim your schedule and do a few things really well.

As Dale mentioned in a follow-up tweet,

One of the issues that we’ve been addressing for some time now is that most churches offer too many ministries. It’s much better to be known for doing 1 or 2 things really well than being known for doing 20 things poorly.

Dale Sellers, of 95Network

Instead of trying to restart everything, this might be an opportunity to do some long-overdue trimming of programs.

‪3. Offer rest and hope, not busyness and programs

Many of your church members will need weeks, even months of worship and fellowship before they’ll be ready to jump in to a regular schedule of church volunteerism.

‪‪If they see your church relaunch a full schedule right away, it might keep them from returning. A few months of a slower-than-usual church calendar may be the answer they’re looking and hoping for.

4. Give your workers permission to rest and worship for a while

Let your hard-working volunteers know that they are welcome to come back as worshipers even if they’re not ready to pitch in as volunteers yet. This should be a no-guilt, no-strings-attached, sincere offer.

Taking the time to let your hardest-working folks find hope and healing again is never wasted.

5. Give yourself permission to rest and worship for a while

The last half of Dale’s original tweet is the one that causes both of us particular concern, “…most small church leaders will just pick up the slack created by this void. . . It’s highly likely that they won’t put it back down in the future!“

I understand the compulsion to do too much in ministry. I’ve done it myself. And I’ve always regretted it.

So please, pastor, take this to heart: It’s better to leave some ministries undone for a while than to burn yourself out doing more than you should.

As I mentioned in When A Sprint Becomes A Marathon: Pastoring In A Long-Term Pandemic, this is not a short-term recovery. “Long runs require a different pace than quick dashes. The sprinting pace you’ve been keeping will burn you out if you try to keep it up. Find a sustainable long-term pace.”

6. Offer more short-term commitments

This was a great suggestion that came in from Alan Small.

While we all appreciate the die-hard volunteers who are up for anything, most people need to know that volunteerism isn’t a life sentence. Especially while folks are in a post-pandemic haze.

A request that comes with a clear, guilt-free expiration date will not just give them a chance to pace themselves, it will also help you recruit more volunteers. And it might even become an onramp for a long-term commitment later.

7. Lean on the familiar for now

I’m a huge proponent of innovation in ministry, but if you’re short on your usual volunteers this is not the right time to bring more change than what’s required.

You’ll need to do plenty of innovation just to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances, so lean on what’s familiar whenever you can.

Call it spiritual comfort food. Only innovate when you need to.

As I noted in The Church Recovery Guide, “When times are normal, leaders inspire change. When times are disruptive, leaders provide stability.”

The day will return when you need to shake things up again. Until then, familiarity provides stability.

8. Focus on your strengths

What are the strengths of the volunteers that are returning? That should be a big factor in deciding what ministries to prioritize.

Do what you’re able to do well and leave the rest for later.

9. Put people ahead of performance

This is always true. But it’s especially true now.

Your volunteers need to know that they matter more than their skillset. That their presence is valued more than their talents.

And, pastor, you need to know that about yourself. Don’t judge the success or failure of your ministry by what you’re not able to do. (Or what you are able to do.)

Invest your limited time and energy into worshiping Jesus, loving people, and taking care of your soul.

This article originally appeared here.

Parent Ministry 101: Discover How to Launch This Valuable Partnership

By

Youth Ministrycom

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June 3, 2022

Starting a parent ministry at church is a worthy endeavor. Parents play a key role in teenagers’ faith development. And youth ministers can partner with them by offering support, encouragement, and resources.

Last year, we thought we were prepared for a parent meeting. We had quality table decorations and delicious snacks. The only thing missing? PARENTS!

No kidding: We went all-out for a parent ministry meeting…but only two parents showed up. Want to know what we learned? Well, the big takeaway was to make sure we actually sent the email out and made the announcement during adult worship.

Here are some other lessons we’ve learned about creating an effective parent ministry:

3 Vital Tips for Launching a Parent Ministry

1. Don’t create parent ministry in a vacuum.

Talk to parents and see what they’d like or need. The last thing you want is to create an event or program that’s not on target. Trust us, we’ve done that several times and it’s humiliating. Talk to some core parents and some on the fringe. Ask for their honest perspective of what would be beneficial to their family.

2. Pick the low-hanging fruit first.

You could probably start a text-message list quickly and cheaply and take a huge leap forward. Maybe start a blog that shares what you taught at youth group last week. Include a few discussion questions so parents can follow up with their kids.

As you come across great resources for parents, post a list on the church bulletin board (virtually or the one in the hallway). Start with a couple of easy activities to begin partnering with parents.

The Road Back To Joy

1. “Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship; it is a consequence.” (Eugene Peterson)

2. The presence of joy does not mean the absence of pain.

The Goal of the Cell Group

Myth: The cell church is all about the cell.

Truth: The goal of the cell church is to make disciples.

Truths About God: 20 Biblical Truths for Kids to Learn

1. God loves you. Unconditionally.

2. Jesus died on the cross so you can be forgiven.

3. God has a special plan for your life.

4. The Bible is the source of truth for you.

5. God hears and answers when you pray.

6. You are unique.

7. You can do anything God asks you to do with his power.

8. Jesus will always be with you.

9. God will give you wisdom to make good choices.

10. You can be strong and brave with God.

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I pray for your purity of heart.

I pray for your sensitivity to God.

I pray for your joy-filled faith.

‪1. Be slow to add programs back into the rotation

‪2. Stop some programs altogether

‪3. Offer rest and hope, not busyness and programs

4. Give your workers permission to rest and worship for a while

5. Give yourself permission to rest and worship for a while

6. Offer more short-term commitments

7. Lean on the familiar for now

8. Focus on your strengths

9. Put people ahead of performance

3 Vital Tips for Launching a Parent Ministry

1. Don’t create parent ministry in a vacuum.

2. Pick the low-hanging fruit first.

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