LifeWay Archives - Baptist & Reflector

LIFEWAY, GAINES PARTNER TO CREATE PRAYER RESOURCE

September 13, 2017

LifeWay News Office

NASHVILLE (BP) — LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Southern Baptist Convention president Steve Gaines to create a six-session Bible study, Pray Like This: Living the Lord’s Prayer, scheduled for release Oct. 1.

This Bible study is designed to bring a deep understanding of the text, theology and application of the Lord’s Prayer. It is a follow-up to the SBC’s 2017 annual meeting, themed “Pray! For Such a Time as This.”

“Nothing is more vital to the advancement of the Gospel than rallying God’s people to pray,” said Gaines, who served as general editor of the study. “Prayer changes everything. When we pray, God does things that He would not have done had we not prayed. When God’s people agree in prayer … there is spiritual synergy. The power of our prayers multiplies exponentially.” [Read more…]

PASTORS’ SPOUSES EXPERIENCE MIXED BLESSINGS

September 12, 2017

By Bob Smietana
LifeWay Research

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Being married to a pastor means a life filled with joy, purpose and a lot of headaches.

Most pastors’ spouses feel a call to ministry and enjoy their roles inside and outside their church.

Many also have few friends, think they yell at their kids too much, and worry about money.

Those are among the findings of a new LifeWay Research study about the lives of Protestant pastors’ spouses. The representative study of 720 spouses found their lives are complicated, filled with blessing and stresses, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. [Read more…]

NEW RESEARCH: MOST AMERICANS THINK THEY ARE A SINNER

August 16, 2017

By Bob Smietana
Lifeway Research

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — America is full of sinners—and most of them want to mend their ways.

Two-thirds of Americans (67 percent) say they are sinners, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Most people aren’t too happy about it—only 5 percent say they’re fine with being sinners.

As America becomes more secular, the idea of sin still rings true, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

“Almost nobody wants to be a sinner,” he said. [Read more…]

GOOD DEEDS GO UNNOTICED

July 25, 2017

Lifeway news office

NASHVILLE — Jesus warned his followers to keep their good deeds secret, warning them not to seek attention when doing the right thing.

American Christians seem to be following that advice.

According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, few Americans are aware of many efforts by local Christians or churches to serve their neighbors.

LifeWay Research’s survey of 1,000 Americans looked at 13 service programs often run by churches — from tutoring kids to teaching job skills. [Read more…]

EUGENE PETERSON CLARIFIES COMMENTS ON HOMOSEXUALITY

July 14, 2017

By David Roach
Baptist Press

(updated)

Eugene Peterson
-Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

NASHVILLE (BP) — Author Eugene Peterson, known for “The Message” paraphrase of Scripture, has clarified his beliefs about homosexuality, stating he affirms “a biblical view of marriage” and would not perform a same-sex wedding.

In a July 13 statement released by his agent Rick Christian, Peterson said he “would like to retract” a statement published the previous day by Religion News Service that he would perform a same-sex wedding if asked to do so. In an interview with RNS, Peterson also appeared to indicate he did not regard homosexual acts as inherently sinful. [Read more…]

AMERICANS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT SEX AND RELIGION

June 29, 2017

By Bob Smietana
Lifeway Research

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Americans love to fight about sex and religion.

From shacking up and same-sex marriage to birth control and bathrooms, Americans disagree about what is right and wrong with sex—often based on faith. Those disputes can end up in court, in highly divisive and controversial cases. This week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of a Colorado baker who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding.

When faith and sexuality clash, which side should prevail?

Americans can’t decide.

About half of Americans (48 percent) say religious freedom is more important in such conflicts when faith and sexuality clash, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. A quarter (24 percent) say sexual freedom is more important. A quarter (28 percent) aren’t sure. [Read more…]

SBC IN 2016: MORE CHURCHES, LESS MEMBERS

June 27, 2017

By Carol Pipes
Writer, LifeWay

NASHVILLE — Southern Baptists experienced growth in the number of churches that cooperate with their convention in 2016, according to the latest Annual Church Profile report (ACP).

However, other key measures declined in 2016, including membership, baptisms, average worship attendance, and total giving, according to the ACP compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.

The number of churches cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention grew by 479 to 47,272, a 1 percent increase over 2015. The number of Southern Baptist churches has increased in the last 18 years. Southern Baptist churches also reported 4,492 church-type missions last year. [Read more…]

PIPES TO LEAD EPA

June 13, 2017

Baptist Press

Carol Pipes

NASHVILLE — Tennessee native Carol Pipes, director of communications at LifeWay Christian Resources, is the new president-elect of the Evangelical Press Association, a professional organization of Christian publications and websites.

Pipes, who was serving as secretary of the board, was elected president-elect during EPA’s annual business meeting at its Chicago convention on April 11.

Pipes is a member of Friendship Community Church in Mount Juliet, where her husband Keith serves as director of worship ministries.

2018 VBS AIMS TO HELP KIDS GET THEIR ‘GAME ON!’

June 8, 2017

Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As fans across the nation celebrate the NBA and NHL finals this week, LifeWay Christian Resources is adding to the sports enthusiasm by announcing “Game On!” as its 2018 Vacation Bible School theme.

The theme is designed to help kids gear up for life’s big game by teaching them Jesus has provided all they need for the journey to which God calls them, LifeWay VBS specialist Melita Thomas said.

“Kids are under so much pressure — to perform well, to be the best, to balance schedules that are full to the brim, to excel in every arena,” she said. “From that vantage point, life’s big game can seem like no fun. But when we step back, we realize the goal is not competing in our own strength. God has already given us everything we need.” [Read more…]

GRADY COTHEN, FORMER PRES. OF 2 SBC ENTITIES, DIES

May 24, 2017

By David Roach, Baptist Press and
Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Grady Cothen, who died May 19, served as president of the Baptist Sunday School Board from 1974-84.
-SBHLA photo

RIDGELAND, Miss. (BP) — Grady Cothen — the former chief executive of a state convention, a Southern Baptist university and two Southern Baptist Convention entities — died May 19 at The Orchard retirement home in Ridgeland, Miss. He was 96.

Among his service to Southern Baptists, Cothen was executive secretary of the Southern Baptist General Convention of California (1961-66), president of Oklahoma Baptist University (1966-70), president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1970-74) and president of the Baptist Sunday School Board (1974-1984). The California convention has since been renamed the California Southern Baptist Convention, and the Sunday School Board has become LifeWay Christian Resources.

“Few Southern Baptist leaders have made so deep a mark in so many different places as did Grady Cothen,” New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley said in a news release. “He came to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary when it was in a crisis. He brought stability and a foundation upon which our future was built. We thank God for giving our convention such an excellent leader.” [Read more…]

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