Lifeway Research: Religious Faith, Church Attendance Aligns With More Pro-Life Views

By

-

May 31, 2022

Not all pro-life Americans are religious, but religious Americans are more likely to be pro-life.

Americans’ views on the morality of abortion remain mixed in the days leading up to a Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, but a majority favor restrictions that go beyond those currently allowed, according to a new study from the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary conducted by Lifeway Research. In addition, those who self-identify with a religion, engage in religious practices like church attendance and hold evangelical beliefs are more likely to favor restrictions on abortion.

“This survey clearly demonstrates evangelical beliefs and practices, especially church attendance, translate into pro-life views,” said Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. “This underscores the truth that the ultimate solution to this moral problem, like all moral problems, is spiritual transformation of the gospel of Jesus Christ among individuals that will eventually translate into societal changes.”

“Critical research is one part of the Land Center mission, and because of the long-standing commitment of Southern Baptists to the sanctity of human life, we focused on Americans’ abortion views as our first in-depth research project,” said Dan Darling, director of the Land Center. “This research provides information vital to equipping pastors and church leaders to understand this cultural moment and to shaping the moral consciences of God’s people. We expect to provide additional serious research on a variety of topics to help Christians engage our culture with gospel truth.”

Conducted days prior to the leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that indicated the Supreme Court planned to overturn the landmark decision that essentially legalized abortion throughout the United States, the study records Americans’ views on abortion, the beginning of life and what people want to happen in a potential post-Roe environment.

While increased church attendance correlates with pro-life perspectives, those who attend church say they don’t often hear about abortion on Sunday mornings. Two in 3 Americans who say they attend religious worship services a few times a year or more (66%) say they hear a teacher or clergy person mention the topic of abortion no more than once or twice a year, including 36% who say they never hear it spoken about. Few churchgoers, regardless of their perspective on abortion, want the church to talk about the issue less often. Overall, 46% say the topic is addressed the right amount, 38% want to hear about it more and 16% want less.

Americans’ Abortion Views

Around 3 in 10 Americans hold generally pro-life views on abortion: 12% say abortion shouldn’t be legal in any situation, and 17% say it shouldn’t be legal in most situations. Another 21% say there are a variety of situations where it should be legal and illegal. More than 2 in 5 are generally pro-abortion rights, with 22% saying abortion should be legal in most situations and 24% saying it should be legal in any situation.

Pro-life views are more common than pro-abortion rights among Protestants (41% vs. 31%). Catholics (32% vs. 43%) and people from other faiths (31% to 47%) lean pro-abortion rights. The non-religious are overwhelmingly pro-abortion rights (11% pro-life vs. 70% pro-abortion rights).

Those with evangelical beliefs are more pro-life than pro-abortion rights (64% vs. 15%), while those without evangelical beliefs are the opposite (22% vs. 53%).

American Christians who attend church weekly are more than twice as likely to be generally pro-life (53% vs. 19%). Those who attend two to four times a month (28% vs. 36%) and those who attend less frequently (30% vs. 46%) are more likely to be pro-abortion rights.

For half of Americans (51%), one of the strongest factors in the development of their views on abortion is their views on women’s rights and freedoms. For more than 2 in 5 (43%), their views on morality and right and wrong play a strong role. More than a third point to views on health and medical issues (37%) or views on children’s rights and quality of life (34%). Three in 10 say their religious faith is a leading factor in the development of their abortion views (29%). Fewer point to their views on social issues (25%), views on economic issues or poverty (23%), views and experiences as a parent (20%), personal experience with the issue (18%) or the views of political leaders and party they support (5%).

Specifically among the generally pro-life, personal religious faith (58%), views on morality (56%) and views on children’s rights and quality of life (46%) are dominant factors contributing to their perspectives on abortion. Around 1 in 6 pro-life Americans say their views on women’s rights (16%) is one of the strongest factors in how their views on abortion were developed.

Banker Says He Warned Vatican About London Fund Investor

By

Nicole Winfield

-

May 31, 2022

vatican banker — FILE - A view of the empty St. Peter's Square as Pope Francis is delivering the Angelus noon prayer from his studio, at the Vatican, Jan. 6, 2021. The Vatican’s longtime investment banker testified Monday, May 30, 2022 that he repeatedly voiced concern about a fund that was investing in a troubled London property, but said the Holy See’s secretariat of state insisted on pursuing the deal even as it lost money. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini,, file)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican’s longtime investment banker testified Monday that he repeatedly voiced concerns about a fund that was investing in a troubled London property, but said the Holy See’s secretariat of state insisted on pursuing the deal even as it lost money.

Enrico Crasso said he was very much on the sidelines of the London deal, which is at the center of the Vatican’s big fraud and embezzlement trial. Prosecutors have accused Crasso and nine other people of fleecing the Holy See of tens of millions of euros and of ultimately extorting the Vatican for 15 million euros to get control of the property.

Crasso, who handled the secretariat of state’s investments for 27 years at Credit Suisse and his own firms, is accused of several counts of embezzlement as well as corruption, fraud and extortion. Crasso denies wrongdoing and testified Monday that in his more than quarter-century of work for the Holy See, the investments he managed always turned a profit.

On his first day on the stand, Crasso stressed that he was only brought into the London deal by chance after he was called on by the secretariat of state to help it evaluate ways to diversify its asset portfolio in 2012, first into a potential petroleum development deal in Angola and then the London property.

Crasso said Credit Suisse recommended a commodities expert, Raffaele Mincione, to evaluate the Angola deal. After all sides agreed against it, Mincione stayed on as a new money manager for the Vatican via his Athena investment fund that was investing in the London property.

Crasso referred to a 2016 formal statement from the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, making clear that there were no limits on where the Vatican’s Credit Suisse assets could be invested. Crasso’s defense has cited the letter to rebut the embezzlement allegation that Crasso routed Vatican money destined for charity to highly speculative investments.

Crasso testified that he was essentially sidelined after the Vatican began working with Mincione and he cited a series of emails he sent to Vatican officials expressing concern and perplexity at some of Mincione’s investment choices.

By 2018, the Vatican decided to exit Mincione’s fund because it had lost some 18 million euros and was looking for a way to buy him out of the London property. Enter another defendant, Gianluigi Torzi, who was proposed by a friend of Pope Francis as a potential manager and developer for the property.

The deal involved paying off Mincione 40 million euros and then entering into an agreement with Torzi via a new holding company, Gutt, to manage and develop the property. The deal, in which the Vatican held 30,000 shares in Gutt and Torzi 1,000 shares, was hashed out over three days in Torzi’s London office in November 2018.

Uvalde Tells Biden to ‘Do Something’; He Pledges ‘We Will’

By

Elliot Spagat

-

May 31, 2022

UVALDE, Texas (AP) — President Joe Biden grieved with the shattered community of Uvalde on Sunday, mourning privately for three hours with anguished families of the 19 schoolchildren and two teachers killed by a gunman. Faced with chants of “do something” as he departed a church service, Biden pledged: “We will.”

At Robb Elementary School, Biden visited a memorial of 21 white crosses — one for each of those killed — and first lady Jill Biden added a bouquet of white flowers to those already placed in front of the school sign. The couple then viewed individual altars erected in memory of each student, the first lady touching the children’s photos as they moved along the row.

After visiting the memorial, Biden attended Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where several victims’ families are members, and one of the families was in attendance.

Speaking directly to the children in the congregation, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller tried to assuage the fears of the youngsters, some appearing about the same age as the victims.

“You have seen the news, you have witnessed the tears of your parents, friends,” he said, encouraging them not to be afraid of life. “You are the best reminders to us that the lives of the little ones are important.”

As Biden departed church to meet privately with family members, a crowd of about 100 people began chanting “do something.” Biden answered, “We will,” as he got into his car. It was his only public comment during roughly seven hours in Uvalde.

Biden later tweeted that he grieves, prays and stands with the people of Uvalde. “And we are committed to turning this pain into action,” he said.

The visit to Uvalde was Biden’s second trip in as many weeks to console a community in loss after a mass shooting. He traveled to Buffalo, New York, on May 17 to meet with victims’ families and condemn white supremacy after a shooter espousing the racist “replacement theory” killed 10 Black people at a supermarket.

Both shootings and their aftermath put a fresh spotlight on the nation’s entrenched divisions and its inability to forge consensus on actions to reduce gun violence.

“Evil came to that elementary school classroom in Texas, to that grocery store in New York, to far too many places where innocents have died,” Biden said Saturday in a commencement address at the University of Delaware. “We have to stand stronger. We must stand stronger. We cannot outlaw tragedy, I know, but we can make America safer.”

Children Among 31 Killed at Church Fair Stampede in Nigeria

By

Chinedu Asadu

-

May 31, 2022

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A stampede Saturday at a church charity event in southern Nigeria left 31 people dead and seven injured, police told The Associated Press, a shocking development at a program that aimed to offer hope to the needy. One witness said the dead included a pregnant woman and many children.

The stampede at the event organized by the Kings Assembly Pentecostal church in Rivers state involved people who came to the church’s annual “Shop for Free” charity program, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokeswoman.

Such events are common in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, where more than 80 million people live in poverty, according to government statistics.

Saturday’s charity program was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but dozens arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, Iringe-Koko said. Somehow the locked gate was broken open, creating a stampede, she said.

Godwin Tepikor from Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said first responders were able to evacuate the bodies of those trampled to death and bring them to the morgue. Security forces cordoned off the area.

Dozens of residents later thronged the scene, mourning the dead and offering any assistance they could to emergency workers. Doctors and emergency workers treated some of the injured as they lay in the open field. Videos from the scene showed the clothing, shoes and other items meant for the beneficiaries.

One witness who only identified himself as Daniel said “there were so many children” among the dead. Five of the dead children were from one mother, he told the AP, adding that a pregnant woman also lost her life.

Some church members were attacked and injured by relatives of the victims after the stampede, according to witness Christopher Eze. The church declined to comment on the situation.

The police spokeswoman said the seven injured were “responding to treatment.”

The “Shop for Free” event was suspended while authorities investigated how the stampede occurred.

Nigeria has seen similar stampedes in the past.

Twenty-four people died at an overcrowded church gathering in the southeastern state of Anambra in 2013, while at least 16 people were killed in 2014 when a crowd got out of control during a screening for government jobs in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Associated Press journalist Hilary Uguru in Warri, Nigeria, contributed.

This article originally appeared on APNews.com.

Abducted Prelate of Nigeria Methodist Church Regains Freedom

By

Chinedu Asadu

-

May 31, 2022

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The head of the Nigeria Methodist Church regained his freedom a day after being kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the country’s southeast, police told The Associated Press late Monday.

Samuel Kanu Uche was kidnapped Sunday along with two other senior clerics along a highway in the Umunneochi area in southeastern Abia state. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna said the two clerics were also freed, but he did not provide details of their release.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and abductions for ransom have been a worrying trend.

Though the abductions are more rampant in the troubled northwestern Nigeria, the southeast has also grappled with violent attacks in recent years. Authorities have accused members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a leading separatist group, of being behind many of the attacks.

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria had condemned the kidnapping and called on Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to “stop the incessant abduction of clerics and other innocent Nigerians.”

“If a great servant of God of Uche’s caliber could be kidnapped like a three-year-old baby on a major road without any resistance from the police, it speaks volumes of what our security architecture has become,” the association said.

Chicago Church Preaches ‘The Gospel According to Dolly Parton’

By

Emily McFarlan Miller

-

May 31, 2022

gospel according to dolly parton — The congregation gathers outdoors on May 29, 2022, at Church of the Three Crosses in Chicago. RNS photo by Emily McFarlan Miller

CHICAGO (RNS) — She’s been hailed as a “secular country-pop saint” and the “Jesus of Appalachia.”

Her ability to bridge divides has been the subject of many a recent think piece, a popular podcast series, even proposals to replace statues of Confederate figures with her image.

And over the past few weeks, Dolly Parton has been the subject of a five-part sermon series at Church of the Three Crosses in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.

The Rev. Britt Cox wrapped up her sermon series “The Gospel According to Dolly” on Sunday (May 29) at the church, which describes itself as an “ever-widening inclusive Christian community” belonging to both the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.

“We’ve been using Dolly as a way to talk about story and our larger story of faith and that all of our stories matter and that God’s story is continuing on in us,” Cox told the congregation, accompanied by a flourish from the church’s pianist.

Church of the Three Crosses in Chicago shares about its series "The Gospel According to Dolly" on its Facebook page. Screen grab

Church of the Three Crosses in Chicago shares about its series “The Gospel According to Dolly” on its Facebook page. Screen grab

Church of the Three Crosses has been focusing on sharing personal stories since returning to in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cox told Religion News Service. New members began attending while the church was meeting online. Longtime members hadn’t seen each other face to face or caught up in months.

Parton’s ability to connect with many different people — young and old, religious and non-religious, from red states and blue — through story felt instructive as the congregation got to know each other again.

Plus, Cox said, “She’s really a person who walks her talk.”

Growing up in Texas — where, the pastor said, country music is woven into the church — she admired Parton’s music and subversive sense of humor. Later, she realized the singer-songwriter, who is a Christian, also shares beautiful messages in her songs — some, overtly religious, like her 2019 song “God Only Knows” with Christian musical duo For King & Country.

Parton also invests the money she’s made into causes she cares about, like child literacy. Most recently, she’s earned praise for her $1 million donation to COVID-19 research, which was partly used to fund Moderna’s vaccine.

Parton has said she thinks it’s great if she can set a good example.

“But,” she told People Magazine in December, “I don’t want to be worshiped, because there’s a scripture in my Bible that talks about idol worship. And I see that happening all the time with movie stars and these celebrities. People literally worship them more than they worship God. And I just — I cringe at it sometimes.”

Former SBC EC Vice President Counters Guidepost Characterization of Abusers List

By

Scott Barkley

-

May 31, 2022

abuse_prevention — Photo courtesy of Baptist Press.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Through an open letter released to several media outlets, former SBC Executive Committee Vice President Roger “Sing” Oldham says a list of abusers prominent in the Guidepost Solutions report was generated in part from news reports he forwarded to EC general counsel and interim president D. August “Augie” Boto and not in his possession.

Oldham, who served as an EC vice president from 2007-2019, disputes the narrative that he was “a knowing participant in creating an alleged secret database of sexual offenders.” At no time did he have access to the list, he said.

According to the letter, in early 2010 Oldham took note of a series of posts on clergy abuse at the website SBC Voices. He emailed Boto on Feb. 16, 2010, about the possibility of “creating a web page or hosting a story collection of published news articles” on Baptist2Baptist, a website managed by the Executive Committee.

The Guidepost report indicates that such reports had been gathered and submitted to Boto as early as 2007. In a phone call with Baptist Press, Oldham said it was possible he had brought the subject up before 2010, but it was the SBC Voices series that prompted him to begin forwarding published news reports of Baptist ministers arrested for sexual abuse.

“I thought such a collection of published news stories could be an additional resource to help churches in their hiring practices while avoiding the potential liability issues of creating a database of convicted and credibly accused sexual offenders that, as general counsel for the SBC Executive Committee, Mr. Boto had often expressed concerns about,” Oldham says in the letter.

He went on to formally request that the 2010 email and others like it be included in Guidepost’s final report, with the report amended to reflect their contribution.

At the top of page 5 of the Guidepost report, a May 2019 email from Oldham to then-EC President Ronnie Floyd said that for a decade Oldham had been providing news reports of Baptist ministers arrested for sexual abuse to Boto “for his awareness.”

Oldham maintains that the 2019 email was not discussed in his interview with Guidepost investigators on March 25 of this year. Had it been, he could have provided context, namely, that the news reports were obtained using a subscription-based news aggregator and later by setting up Google alerts using search terms “Baptist” and “arrested.” He would then forward news stories related to abuse and Baptist ministers to Boto. He denies knowing that those stories had been compiled in a list.

Those clips eventually contributed to the list in the Guidepost report. Minus that context, Oldham charged that the report “extrapolate[ed] from that [May 2019] email a nefarious intent of a secret database of sexual offenders.”

Baptist Press reached out to Guidepost for a response to Oldham’s letter but had received nothing by deadline.

Regardless, Oldham rejoiced at the list’s publication. “I hope this release is only the starting point of a continuing process,” he says in the letter.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify the nature of Oldham’s contribution to the list of abusers.

This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Requests Resignation of First Transgender Bishop

By

Emily McFarlan Miller

-

May 31, 2022

megan rohrer — An undated selfie of the Rev. Megan Rohrer, who was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Sierra Pacific synod on Saturday, May 8, 2021, becoming the first transgender person to serve as bishop in any of the major Christian denominations in the United States. Photo courtesy of Megan Rohrer

rai(RNS) — The presiding bishop of the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States has asked its first transgender bishop to resign amid criticism over the bishop’s removal of the pastor of a Hispanic congregation on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December.

In a report to the church published Friday (May 27), Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced she had requested Bishop Megan Rohrer’s resignation from the denomination’s Sierra Pacific Synod.

Eaton’s request comes after the Sierra Pacific Synod removed the Rev. Nelson Rabell-González from his position as mission director at Misión Latina Luterana in Stockton, California, on Dec. 12. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — when many Mexican Americans celebrate their religious and cultural identities — commemorates the day in 1531 when many Christians, particularly Catholics, believe the Virgin Mary appeared in Mexico to an Indigenous man named Juan Diego.

In a previous statement on the Sierra Pacific Synod’s blog, the synod council said it had unanimously decided to vacate Rabell-González’s call after “continual communications of verbal harassment and retaliatory actions from more than a dozen victims from 2019 to the present.” Rabell-González denied those accusations to Religion News Service.

But Rohrer’s actions were criticized by the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA as showing a “lack of empathy and understanding toward their Latinx siblings” and led Eaton to appoint a listening team to review what had happened.

The presiding bishop said Friday she does not plan to pursue disciplinary charges against Rohrer — a decision the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA and several partner organizations also criticized.

“I do not believe that the circumstances of these unfortunate events and Bishop Rohrer’s involvement in them rise to the level of formal discipline against Bishop Rohrer,” Eaton said.

“However, I believe that Bishop Rohrer has lost the trust and confidence of many constituents, both within and without the Sierra Pacific Synod.”

“Unwise decisions” are not automatic grounds for discipline in the denomination, according to the presiding bishop’s statement. But, she said, she has asked Rohrer to respond after attending the Sierra Pacific’s synod assembly next week, listening to Rohrer’s constituents and prayerfully considering her request to resign.

In a statement published Saturday, the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA, the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries called Eaton’s decision not to pursue disciplinary charges against Rohrer a “culturally insensitive dereliction of duty.”

$2M Relic Stolen, Angel Statue Beheaded at Brooklyn Church

By

Michael Sisak

-

May 31, 2022

Angel Statue — This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a missing tabernacle and damaged angel statue in St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood in New York, which was stolen between Thursday, May 26, 2022 and Saturday, May 28, 2022. The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. It’s valued at $2 million. (NYPD via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Police say someone busted into the altar at a New York City church, stole a $2 million gold relic and removed the head from a statue of an angel at some point late last week.

The incident happened between 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, known as the “Notre Dame” of Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood.

The church was closed for construction at the time. Camera recordings from the church’s security system were also stolen, the church’s pastor said.

The Diocese of Brooklyn called it “a brazen crime of disrespect and hate.”

The diocese said the thief or thieves cut through a metal protective casing and made off with a tabernacle dating to the church’s opening in the 1890s.

The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. It’s valued at $2 million.

The diocese said it is irreplaceable because of its historical and artistic value.

According to a guidebook posted on the church’s website, the tabernacle was built in 1895 and restored in 1952 and 2000.

It’s described as a “masterpiece and one of the most expensive tabernacles in the country, guarded by its own security system,” which involves an “electronically operated burglar-proof safe” and one-inch thick steel plates that “completely enclose the tabernacle.

Angel statues flanking the tabernacle were decapitated and destroyed, the diocese said. A safe in the sacristy, where priests prepare for Mass, was also cut open but nothing was inside.

Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar.

“This is devastating, as the Tabernacle is the central focus of our church outside of worship, holding the Body of Christ, the Eucharist, which is delivered to the sick and homebound,” Rev. Frank Tumino, the pastor of St. Augustine said in a statement issued by the diocese.

“To know that a burglar entered the most sacred space of our beautiful Church and took great pains to cut into a security system is a heinous act of disrespect,” Tumino said.

This article originally appeared here.

Buzz Words Aren’t the Problem

By

Christina Embree

-

May 31, 2022

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

I was recently part of an online discussion where the original poster expressed his concerns about a newly released curriculum using, in his words, “woke” terminology in its description. The particular buzz words in question were the words “identity” and “curiosity.” The concern expressed was that these words were an attempt to be relevant to the culture and, regardless of the content in the curriculum which he repeatedly stated he felt was “fine”, the use of this terminology meant he “would never get near” this particular product.

As you an imagine, the discussion to follow was passionate and intense. For the most part, I watched what was taking place with a measure of frustration and disappointment. Whether or not one agreed with the original poster, the tone of the conversation was (initially) judgmental, condemning, and fear-based. And despite assurances and affirmation that the content of the curriculum as biblically-based and Christ-centered, the choice of these two words was enough to warrant the energy and passion put into the discussion about how this would impact children’s church experience and their faith.

Which brings me to the research:

Why do young people actually walk away from the faith?

Why do they leave children’s ministry and youth ministry with an immature faith or lacking a sense of belonging to their church? Why do they disassociate with the church and distance themselves from evangelical religious experiences?

Is it because the curriculum used buzz words? Is it because their youth pastor was too relevant or their children’s pastor was “woke”?

In short – No. That is not why they leave. Why they leave has a lot more to do with us – the people of God – than it does the buzz words and latest trends that come and go in culture. It has to do with our attitudes, our behavior, and our interactions with one another and the world around us.

Seventy-three percent said church or pastor-related reasons led them to leave. Of those, 32 percent said church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical and 29 percent said they did not feel connected to others who attended.
Seventy percent named religious, ethical or political beliefs for dropping out. Of those, 25 percent said they disagreed with the church’s stance on political or social issues while 22 percent said they were only attending to please someone else.
And, 63 percent said student and youth ministry reasons contributed to their decision not to go. Of those, 23 percent said they never connected with students in student ministry and 20 percent said the students seemed judgmental or hypocritical. (Source)

More telling than that, of the 66 percent who said they left picked reasons for leaving, only 10 percent said they dropped out because they stopped believing in God. Their belief in God was not the issue. It was their experience in churches and denominational interpretations of Scripture that they disagreed with that led them to leave.

Over one-third of young adults have said they feel like they can’t ask life’s most pressing questions in church and 23 percent said they had “significant intellectual doubts” about their faith (Source). And no one to talk to about it. No one to normalize the reality that faith is.. well, faith. That it all comes down to belief and we can never 100% know everything while we are here on earth. That we will know fully as we are fully known only once we are with Christ. And until then, we will ask a lot of questions, express a lot of doubts, learn a lot of new things, and likely, our own beliefs about truth and God and faith will change and grow as we do.

Not one of these studies showed that young people left the faith because their Sunday school curriculum used buzz words or connected too closely to the culture. It was about the people, the relationships or lack thereof, the attitudes or experiences, that formed and shaped them, from children to student through young adult.

Conversely, why do young people chose to stay in the faith? These studies are my favorite because instead of a list of “Don’t Do’s” we get actionable, meaningful things “To Do” that will yield the fruit of lifelong disciples who want to love and follow Jesus. And what does that research show us?

10 Ways to Express Your Thankfulness for Volunteers

By

Dale Hudson

-

May 31, 2022

Volunteers. Without them, there is no children’s ministry. It’s vital that you recognize and honor them on a regular basis.

10 Ways to Express Your Thankfulness for Volunteers

Here are 10 ways you can use your words to express thankfulness for volunteers who serve in your ministry.

1. Recognize their heart for reaching the next generation. I put this first, because it’s important to not just recognize what they do, but for who they are as a person. What they do flows out of who they are.

2. Thank them for their faithfulness. Let them know you appreciate how they always show up to faithfully serve.

3. Recognize their passion to reach the next generation. Let them know you appreciate their passion to pass on their faith to the next generation.

4. Honor them by expressing appreciation for their commitment. It’s often hard work to pass on their faith. Thank them for their commitment.

5. Recognize their positive attitude. Anyone can be negative. It takes someone special to spread positive words of encouragement.

6. Thank them for how they invest in the kids. Their time. Their talent. Their treasure.

7. Recognize their commitment to excellence. Thank them for giving their best and serving wholeheartedly. They often go the second mile.

8. Thank them for their endurance. Let’s be honest. Serving in children’s ministry is not always easy. It takes volunteers who are in it for the long haul.

9. Thank them for their commitment to teamwork. It takes teamwork for a children’s ministry to thrive. Thank them for serving in unity with those around them.

10. Thank them for being a difference maker. Let them know the impact they are making in the lives of the kids they are ministering to.

My challenge to you is this – every week say at least one of these things to a volunteer. When you do this, the volunteers you serve with will appreciate you and the team will be strengthened and encouraged.

This article originally appeared here.

Great Small Group Leaders: Who Are the World’s Best?

By

Mike Mack

-

May 31, 2022

In order to understand what great small group leaders are, perhaps it will help to start by looking at some potential small group leaders to show what a small group leader is not.

Not-so-Great Small Group Leaders:

Hannah Hostess: A true small group leader is (or is becoming) more than a host or hostess who opens up his or her home to the group. While this is a very worthy role in the group, the leader has a different assignment.

Ferdinand Facilitator: Hannah and Ferdinand are related. A small group leader is more than just a discussion facilitator. This may be part of the role of a leader, but only a small part.

NOTE: It’s possible you have started as a host or facilitator, and those are great places to begin! Our definition of a true leader moves beyond these initial roles.

Billy Bible Scholar: Billy might be a good small group leader, but his leadership is not based on his superior knowledge of the Bible or ability to quote large portions of Scripture. Remember, “Knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). (This verse provides an indication of at least one attribute you do need as a small group leader!)

Lisa Leader: Believe it or not, leadership may not be the most essential spiritual gift you need as a small group leader. You can use different spiritual gifts to lead a life-changing group, depending on the type, personality and purpose of your group. God provides each person in the group with spiritual gifts to help the group function. Your job is to facilitate the use of the various spiritual gifts of group members.

Teasley Teacher: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16, emphasis added). In a great small group, everyone is involved in teaching one another! As a small group leader, Teasley needs to be more of a shepherd than a teacher. You do not have to be the group’s “Bible answer man.”

Eddie Educated: While a good education does not preclude Eddie from small group leadership, it also is not a prerequisite. Eddie’s heart is much more vital than Eddie’s education.

Chris “Super-Stud” Christian: In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were the super studs of the religious world. Jesus’ followers, on the other hand, were simple, run-of-the-mill, average Joes. Jesus spent time with some everyday people and made them extraordinary. Chris does not have to be the perfect Christian (whatever that means) to lead well.

Great Small Group Leaders

Perhaps the best job description for great small group leaders comes straight off the pages of the Bible, from 1 Peter 5:2-4. The writer, the apostle Peter, knew what he was talking about, too. Peter followed the World’s Greatest Small Group Leader for several years. Look closely at this passage, and underline the words or phrases that you think describe a small group leader.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:2-4).

This passage was written to elders in the first-century church. These church leaders were called to shepherd the churches in a particular city (i.e., the church in Ephesus) or churches that met in specific homes (i.e., the church that meets in her house). This passage also applies to what a small group leader is called to do in today’s church.

The passage reveals the roles and responsibilities God gives to small group leaders. I refer back to it throughout World’s Greatest Small Group Leader. In each of the chapters of the book I discuss one of the seven powerful traits of a life-changing leader. The World’s Greatest Small Group Leader, Jesus, modeled these traits, and we can develop them as well. When we do, Jesus has promised that we can do the same kinds of works he did, and even greater works (John 14:12)! Yes, it may sound crazy, but even ordinary people like you and me can lead extraordinary groups—the World’s Greatest Small Groups!

Do You Have What It Takes?

Do you have what it takes to be among the great small group leaders? Depending on your perspective, you can answer this question two different ways:

NO: You do not have what it takes…on your own, under your own power, with your own intellect. That’s why it’s so vital to remember that Jesus is the real leader of “your” group. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).
YES: Never forget that Jesus calls unschooled, ordinary men and women to follow him and then turns them into world changers. If you follow Christ, the World’s Greatest Small Group Leader, he will use you to do extraordinary things. Don’t sell yourself short. Say, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, New Living Translation).

_____________

Excerpted from Michael C. Mack’s newest book, World’s Greatest Small Group.

This article on great small group leaders originally appeared here.

Bible Trivia for Kids: Boost Scripture Learning With These Questions

By

Stephanie Martin

-

May 30, 2022

Bible trivia for kids and Bible games are ideal for engaging young learners. Although God’s Word isn’t “trivial,” quiz-bowl-type questions add excitement to Sunday school classes.

You can tailor Bible trivia for kids to specific ages and content areas. For example, after completing a series about a Bible character or book, quiz children about it. Bible Bowls also work well when you’re learning the books of the Bible or any answers involving lists. Repetition helps students recall material, including Bible verses.

For extra excitement, hold a special children’s ministry event featuring Bible trivia for kids. Families can form teams, or kids can partner up with friends. Remember to emphasize faith growth and fun rather than competition. Remind children they’re all on the same team—God’s team. And he wants us all to read his Word and grow closer to him.

Learning is a lifelong process. And Bible trivia for kids is a fantastic, four-star way to make learning enjoyable. Plus, other people have already done the hard work for you. A quick online search yields hundreds of possible Bible quiz questions. To help you sort through them, we’ve collected a variety of options. Enjoy using Bible trivia questions and answers in your children’s program!

Bible Trivia for Kids: 11 Sources of Quiz Material

Boost children’s Scripture knowledge with these resources:

1. Oodles o’ Trivia Questions

These free printables feature 301 Bible trivia questions. So you won’t run out of material for a long time!

2. Quiz Material Galore

From Bible anagrams to material on specific Bible books, this site offers a treasure trove of trivia.

3. Easter Quiz

Bible trivia for kids is a fun way to celebrate church holidays, including Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.

4. Bible Q&A

Kids and grownups will enjoy this Bible trivia. Encourage children to try to stump their family members!

5. Scripture Stumpers

Quiz categories at this site include the 12 disciples, numbers in the Bible, and more.

Bible Studies for Athletes: Resources to Build Faith and Teamwork

By

Stephanie Martin

-

May 30, 2022

In most youth groups, Bible studies for athletes are a slam dunk. That’s because the Bible uses many sports-themed metaphors. Bible lessons about sports are sure to hold kids’ attention. Plus, they encourage young Christians to train spiritually and to “run” for God.

Some teens at your church might be hardcore sports participants. Others may prefer cheering from the sidelines or playing low-key youth group games. Yet all kids will be able to relate to these Bible studies for athletes. Scriptural lessons with practical applications help listeners engage with God’s Word and apply it to their lives.

So do some stretches (raise your hands to praise God). Fill up your water bottle (with the Living Water). And prepare for a faith-focused workout of your spiritual muscles!

Bible Studies for Athletes: Ideas to Engage Teens

1. Biblical Sportsmanship

This Bible study has a March Madness basketball theme. It focuses on God’s messages about being good sports (on the court and in life).

2. What Sports Can Teach Us

Check out these five godly lessons from the world of athletic competitions.

3. Running Well

The Christian faith is both a daily walk and a lifelong pursuit. Help teens learn how to effectively run the “race” of faith with this lesson.

4. Train & Persevere

Being an athlete requires lots of preparation and grit. Apply those concepts to faith with this sports-themed Bible study.

5. Faith Fundamentals

Here’s another basketball-focused devotional ideal for teens. They’ll learn how to focus and follow through in their spiritual walk.

5 Guidelines (Rules) for a Children’s Class

By

Dale Hudson

-

May 30, 2022

When I teach a children’s class, I share with them 5 guidelines (rules) that I expect them to follow.

I use the word “guidelines” instead of “rules.” The word “rules” can have a negative connotation with children while guidelines are something that kids can follow if they want to have a positive class experience.

Here are five guidelines I expect kids to follow when I am leading a class.

Guideline 1 – Talk when it is time to talk.

I want to have a noisy classroom. I want to have kids talking. Discussing questions. Sharing prayer requests. Cheering for their team during a game.

I believe a noisy classroom is a sign of success as long as the noise is designated for certain times.

Guideline 2 – Listen when it’s time to listen.

There are also times when you want the kids to get still and quiet and listen to what is being shared or told. Lesson time. Prayer time. Announcement time.

Guideline 3 – Sing when it’s time to sing.

Encourage kids to sing when it is time to sing. If you don’t, you will have lots of kids that just stand there during the time of worship. Explain to them that they are singing for an audience of ONE. It can be a challenge to get boys singing. Focus your music selection on the older kids and you will catch all of the kids in the room.

Guideline 4 – Play when it’s time to play.

This helps kids get involved in game and activity times. Reward the kids who get involved and play. Yes, one of the top ways kids learn is through play. Make sure your games and activities are tied into your teaching points.

Guideline 5 – Have fun.

Some people think church should be a solemn experience where no one smiles or has any fun. I believe what David says in Psalm 122:1.

I was GLAD when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord.

Church should be a happy, fun experience for children. Boring should not be a word we hear from kids at church.

Meeting With God – We Need a Spiritual Altar

By

Josh Weidmann

-

May 30, 2022

Altars were significant in the Old Testament for meeting with God. They are mentioned over two hundred times, many of them related to the Tabernacle and the Temple. Yet, altars were used long before these formal meeting places were erected. Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Genesis 12:7–8; 13:4; 22:9), Isaac (Genesis 26:26), and Jacob (Genesis 33:20; 35:1–7) all constructed sacrificial altars.

Abraham’s use of altars is perhaps the most notable. In meeting with God, he made it a practice to build an altar to commemorate when the Lord made a promise or gave a command. At the altar, he would make a sacrifice and “call upon the name of the Lord” (i.e., Genesis 12:8).

An altar was built where there was a significant meeting with God and man.

Many altars were built prior to Israelites living in Egypt. For 400 years, we have no record of any altars being built or any sacrifices being made. If you think about it, that is significant!

Four hundred long years without any blood sacrifices; four hundred years without any significant meeting with God and man.

Four hundred years of what felt like silence from God.

Four hundred years of what felt like man not making a blood sacrifice for his sins.

Four hundred years of silence, slavery, and no sacrifices.

A case could be made that the first blood sacrifice was made by God to atone for the sins of man in Genesis 3:21 when an animal was killed to cover Adam and Eve. A little while later, God was pleased by Abel’s blood sacrifice (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4). Then, as soon as Moses was able to confront Pharaoh, his continual request was for a meeting with God: “Let us go… three days journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.”

They wanted out of captivity so they could go do what had been done prior: build an altar, make a sacrifice, and get right with God.

At the end of their captivity, God gave the Israelites a command to make a blood sacrifice. Each household was to kill the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:6) and put the blood on their doorpost. This was a return to sacrifices and altars at the very end of their captivity. This act prophetically painted a picture of the sacrifice that would come through Jesus Christ, our ultimate Passover Lamb.

The Significance of Meeting with God Again

With my western mindset, I can’t understand the longing to to get out of slavery to build and altar. I can think of about one thousand things (or more!) that I would probably want to do right out of slavery. Yet, for the Ancient Near East Israeli, all they wanted to do was get back to doing what the patriarchs had done centuries before.

They wanted to please God. They knew that a burnt offering was literally the “smell of satisfaction” to God. By faith, the blood of Christ is over you. Return to God and let it be a time to mark a significant meeting with God.

This article appeared here.

Object Lesson on Worry: Craft Activity for Elementary Kids

By

ChildrensMinistry.com

-

May 27, 2022

Don’t let anxiety steal children’s joy! Use this Bubble Buddies craft and object lesson on worry. It’s based on a scriptural command that emphasizes God’s constant love. Assure elementary-aged kids that they can give every worry to God.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

In these times of uncertainty, many kids struggl with anxiety. Finding ways to direct their focus to our mighty God can give kids peace. With this craft, help kids remember to give their worries to God because he cares about them.

Bubble Buddies Object Lesson on Worry

You’ll Need:

1/3 cup of liquid dish detergent
5 cups of water
2 1/2 tablespoons of glycerin or white corn syrup
chenille wires
clean baby food jar with lids
mailing labels
empty pitcher
large wooden spoon
measuring cup
markers
tape

Help kids mix the following bubble solution in a pitcher: 1/3 cup detergent, 5 cups water, and 2 1/2 tablespoons glycerin or white corn syrup. Give each child a baby food jar. Have kids fill their jars with bubble solution. Finally, place the lids on the jars.

Next, give each child a mailing label and a marker. Help kids write “Jesus cares for you—1 Peter 5:7” on the labels. Encourage kids to decorate the labels and put on the jars. Show kids how to bend a chenille wire into the shape of a bubble wand and blow some bubbles. Then have kids tape their wands to the side of the jars for safekeeping.

Closing

Discuss these questions with kids:

How is blowing bubbles like giving our worries to God?
What happens to our worries when we give them to God?

Are We Passing Wonder-Filled Faith to Our Children?

By

Courtney Weaver

-

May 27, 2022

We have all heard the stats. The ones that say anywhere from 60–80% of our kids will walk away from their faith. Some go even higher. It’s a stat that causes us to stop in our tracks, grieve, and ask ourselves how we can sow seeds to change this.

Alone, there’s nothing I can do within my own strength—but God. We serve a God who hears our prayers and who loves our kids more than we ever could. We must follow His lead.

In ministry to children—whether you’re a pastor, staff, volunteer, parent, or church member—our main goal is to help kids know, love, and follow Jesus. Our desire is to instill faith through relationship that reflects our Savior and His unwavering love for us. We collectively want to help children understand who they are in Christ and where they fit in God’s Big Story.

This can feel like a big feat in and of itself—one that we can’t do alone. That is true.

And passing along wonder-filled faith seems to feel even more daunting—especially when we ourselves are out-of-sync, frustrated, burnt out, or maybe even questioning what God has for us. Especially when we remember the stats.

But I’m here to encourage you. We can do it with the Lord leading, as we walk our faith journeys with one other.

Wonder-Filled Faith

A wonder-filled faith is not one without questions. Rather, it’s one that takes the questions, ideas, and curiosity God gives children and allows them to express those as we look at Scripture.

It’s about being captivated by a God who brings blossoms in spring, a God who spoke and light appeared, a God who loved us so much that He gave His only Son. It’s about trusting God in the hard seasons and shouting His faithfulness all along the way.

Wonder-filled faith is about the childlike faith we were never meant to outgrow.

But how do we go about this? Well, we can do a few things to set our ministries on the right path.

We first need to rally together, building a strong foundation so that no matter where our children go in the church, they are seeing the same truth being modeled before them.

Creating Guideposts for Sharing Scripture with Kids

One place to start is by establishing guideposts for how we frame stories from Scripture for kids. Here are some questions for us to think about:

Q: Do we point individual stories from the Bible back to God’s Big Story?

It’s so important that kids are shown the fullness of what God was doing in those stories, so they can more clearly see how He is working in their lives today. It’s essential that every piece of Scripture is tied to the whole of God’s Word. He is the God of our yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That gives us hope!

Q. Do we share how the hope of the gospel is in every story?

God had a plan all along—and sin doesn’t get to keep the headline. What Jesus paid for each of us was always part of the plan, and He deserves all the glory in that! Make sure kids understand that Jesus made the way so that we can choose Him every day.

Q. When we reference the people in these stories, do we show them as real people—not characters or heroes?

Kids need to know that the people we speak about in the Bible are people just like them! People who make mistakes. People who have big dreams. People who believe with their whole hearts. People like you and me. And if God can use those people, if God can use us, He can use our kids!

Q. Are we sharing biblical language?

It’s important that we help kids understand the meaning of Scripture and biblical language within context. It opens a whole new world of how we read the Bible! It helps us align as we add nothing to God’s Word and as we take nothing away.

Q. Do we help children identify who they are in Christ?

Our identity is rooted in the same way our faith is: in being confident of what we hope for in Jesus. We become who we were created to be through claiming our inheritance as image-bearing children of God. The more we look like Jesus, the more we look like the people He made us to be!

These stories and guideposts should be modeled Sunday to Sunday—from church to home and back again. Understanding that this will not be the case in every home, highlights the importance of our church attendees being aligned.

Children in the Light of God’s Wonder

Another place to start in passing a wonder-filled faith is by consistently reaffirming what God says about our children. This is what kids can know God says of them:

I am known by God.
I am loved by Jesus.
I am led by the Holy Spirit.
I am a child of God. And my life can tell of God’s wonder.

I am known.

God, the Creator of all, knows our kids. He has always known them. He has had them in mind from the very beginning. He made each one in His own image, and each is His masterpiece.

Our children are known by the Creator and that means they belong. Each of them gets to be part of His family.

See Psalm 139:13-14 NIrV.

I am loved.

Jesus’ perfect life, death, resurrection, and promised return are God’s love story. Jesus came to fulfill God’s promises to His children.

Through Jesus, we each can have salvation—yes, including our kids. His love for our children has no beginning and no end, and they get to love Him back. Jesus is God’s love in person. Jesus is the way to God’s love.

Our children are loved by Jesus, and they get to share His love too.

See John 13:34, 35 NIrV.

I am led.

God gives His followers the gift of His Holy Spirit when each chooses to live for Jesus. The Holy Spirit invites us to live in God’s Kingdom—now and not yet. When our kids let the Holy Spirit lead, He strengthens them, and they grow in belief.

As our children learn that God’s way is the best way, their faith grows too. The Holy Spirit helps each one of us be more like Jesus—the people we were made to be.

Because our kids are led by the Holy Spirit, they can follow Him.

See Romans 8:14, 15a NIrV.

I am a child of God.

God’s amazing story changes our stories.

Because God knows each of us, Jesus loves us, and the Holy Spirit leads us, we each get to be a wonder-filled reflection of God to the world. Our children get to know who they truly are and who they were made to be. He delights in them!

Our children are wonders. They get to be part of God’s story, and their lives tell of God’s wonder.

See 1 Peter 2:9 NIrV.

Wonder-Filled Together

The stats are what they are. But God is who He is.

We can have hope that when we lead our kids in God’s way—and when we model faith and shine our light the way we speak it to them—Jesus is free to move in the ways that only He can.

May we have faith that His wonder, His love, and His way will always win. In the now and the not yet, He is working. Amen.

This article reflects on the theological guideposts and core values of Wonder Ink. This customizable digital curriculum and toolkit helps children’s ministry leaders empower volunteers, engage families, and inspire children on their journey of faith.

Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for children’s ministry—helping leaders empower volunteers, engage families, and inspire children on their journey of faith. Designed by ministry leaders, Wonder Ink inspires kids to experience the wonder of God and discover identity in God’s Big Story. Try it today at WonderInk.org!

EXCLUSIVE: Lecrae and Andy Mineo Talk Deconstruction, Being Labeled Christian, Swearing in Music, and More With ChurchLeaders

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

May 27, 2022

Earlier this year, ChurchLeaders sat down with Reach Records recording artists Lecrae and Andy Mineo on their “We Are Unashamed Tour,” asking the influential hip-hop artists about Christian deconstruction, their feelings about being labeled Christian artists, Mineo’s use of swear words in his music, and what they would tell church leaders today.

Lecrae co-founded Reach Records in 2004 and serves as president of the label, whose roster includes Lecrae, Andy Mineo, 1K Phew, Hulvey, Wande, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and WHATUPRG.

Lecrae has released 11 studio albums and has won multiple awards, including 2 Grammy’s and 9 GMA Dove Awards. Lecrae has also authored 2 books: “Unashamed” and “I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith.”

Mineo has released four studio albums and has won 2 GMA Dove Awards. Mineo has been featured on BET’s Cypher and on the radio show hosted by Sway Calloway, where he has spoken openly about his faith in Christ. Calloway has praised Lecrae and Mineo’s style, lyrics, and production, comparing them to some of the best rappers in the industry.

“[Their] message and substance gives me chills when I can hear somebody rap as good as them and also put God in it,” Calloway has said.

On a cold day in Indianapolis, Indiana, ChurchLeaders sat down for an hour-long discussion Lecrae and Mineo on couches in a church’s youth ministry room. They, along with the rest of Reach Records’ artists, had just returned from visiting a jail, where they shared testimonies and the gospel message to the inmates. Below is our conversation.

ChurchLeaders: Do you consider the music you create Christian music? Does it bother you when someone places the Christian label on your music?

Lecrae: There’s been different iterations in my journey, where there’s been seasons where I was trying to figure out how to participate as a Christian in a mainstream music. And “Christian” was working as a better noun and than adjective, right? Because it was like how do you describe these shoes? Are these Christian shoes? Is a Christian a person or is it an adjective to describe a thing or genre or something along those lines? So I was trying to navigate that.

For me now—I don’t care. I’m kind of like, Alright, whatever, man, whatever works for you.

As far as Reach Records is concerned, we sign people who are Christians and create music. If they want to call themselves Christian artists, then by all means. If they don’t, we understand that as well.

Andy: I think it comes down to each person’s philosophy on what they believe. Like, what do you define as Christian content?

Josh Buice Calls Guidepost Report on Sexual Abuse in the SBC ‘Harmful,’ Abuser Database a ‘Bad Idea’

By

Jessica Lea

-

May 27, 2022

Not everyone is viewing the recent report from Guidepost Solutions on the sexual abuse crisis in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) as a sign that reform within the denomination is long overdue. G3 Ministries founder Dr. Josh Buice sees the report as a step in the wrong direction and encouraging “pragmatism” over the Word of God.

“While any accusation of sexual abuse within a single local church is horrific,” says Buice in a May 26 article titled, “Dear SBC, the Answer to the Sex Abuse Crisis Is Not Pragmatism,” “I find the Guidepost report to be harmful as well.” He continues:

Not only is it a tragedy that $4 million dollars of money given by SBC churches had to be used to form such a report, it’s not a step in the right direction. If the SBC commits to trial by independent investigation reports rather than pointing back to the local church and the civil authorities as the God ordained means of accountability, discipline, and justice—it will not end well.

Josh Buice: This Is Pragmatism vs. Biblical Sufficiency

On Sunday, May 22, the Sexual Abuse Task Force published the full report from Guidepost Solutions exploring whether or not the SBC’s Executive Committee (EC) covered up allegations of sexual abuse. The report found egregious failures among top leaders, who had prioritized mitigating their own liability over the needs of survivors, thereby protecting predators and perpetuating abuse for years.

Among the report’s many shocking findings are credible allegations that Johnny Hunt sexually assaulted another’s pastor’s wife. Hunt is a former SBC president and served as senior pastor of First Baptist Woodstock Church in Georgia for over 30 years. He resigned as Senior Vice President of Evangelism and Leadership of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) on May 13.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) president Danny Akin said in a letter to students he had made the “the decision to remove Dr. Hunt’s name from any association with programs, facilities, and other items.” Akin also announced plans to do the same with the name of Paige Patterson, another former SBC president and a key figure in the Conservative Resurgence.

In a video meeting Tuesday, EC chairman Rolland Slade, said, “This is a new day in the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, and our commitment is to be different.” The EC denounced a 2006 letter from former Executive Committee general counsel D. August “Augie” Boto that criticized survivor Christa Brown and rejected her requests for reform.

Guidepost’s report found that while publicly refusing to keep a database of abusers in the SBC, Boto and others were keeping their own secret database of alleged abusers. The EC has published this list, which is 205 pages, with some of the information redacted. Furthermore, Guidepost’s report found that local church autonomy was a frequent rationalization leaders used to rebuff survivors and avoid following up on abuse allegations.

Yet local church autonomy is one of Josh Buice’s primary concerns. Buice does not believe keeping a database of abusers will be helpful, saying, “Not only is this a bad idea from a legal standpoint (a simple Google search for ‘SBC sex victim report’ will reveal ambulance chasing law firms who are publishing ads seeking to gain clients in the wake of this investigation), it’s also a bad idea from a church government standpoint.”

Americans’ Abortion Views

Why do young people actually walk away from the faith?

10 Ways to Express Your Thankfulness for Volunteers

Not-so-Great Small Group Leaders:

Great Small Group Leaders

Do You Have What It Takes?

Bible Trivia for Kids: 11 Sources of Quiz Material

1. Oodles o’ Trivia Questions

2. Quiz Material Galore

3. Easter Quiz

4. Bible Q&A

5. Scripture Stumpers

Bible Studies for Athletes: Ideas to Engage Teens

1. Biblical Sportsmanship

2. What Sports Can Teach Us

3. Running Well

4. Train & Persevere

5. Faith Fundamentals

Guideline 1 – Talk when it is time to talk.

Guideline 2 – Listen when it’s time to listen.

Guideline 3 – Sing when it’s time to sing.

Guideline 4 – Play when it’s time to play.

Guideline 5 – Have fun.

An altar was built where there was a significant meeting with God and man.

The Significance of Meeting with God Again

Bubble Buddies Object Lesson on Worry

You’ll Need:

Closing

Wonder-Filled Faith

Creating Guideposts for Sharing Scripture with Kids

Children in the Light of God’s Wonder

I am known.

I am loved.

I am led.

I am a child of God.

Wonder-Filled Together

Josh Buice: This Is Pragmatism vs. Biblical Sufficiency

New Articles

New Podcasts