Peoples

We walked up to the registration area for the children’s classes one Sunday at the church we were visiting in North Carolina while staying with family. The woman we met there asked questions to figure out where the boys should go and typed the answers into her computer.

The questions were easy to answer for our older son, but our younger son took more explanation. His birthday does not represent his developmental stage. 

It was our first time visiting a new church after James’ autism diagnosis. We didn’t know what to expect, how to prepare, or even whether we would be able to attend or if they would turn us away. The church wanted to welcome us and figure out a way to include James, but without any options for kids who didn’t fit into the usual ministry structure they were not sure how to proceed. [Read more…]

Dooley

Do you have someone you hope to meet again in heaven? Several friends and loved ones come to mind as I think about the place Jesus referred to as Paradise. Great-grandparents, grandparents, church members, and a childhood hero that I admired are just a few of the friendly faces I cannot wait to see in eternity. The Puritan Richard Baxter, when speaking of heaven, remarked, “it much sweetens the thoughts of that place to me that there are such a multitude of my most dear and precious friends in Christ (who are there).” Indeed.

But will we remember our closest friends in heaven? Will we still know one another? A quick survey of biblical literature answers these questions with a resounding YES! Consider, for example, that after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead all the disciples recognized Him (John 21:1-14). The man some have called Doubting Thomas was able to touch the wounds of the Lord after He was raised from the dead (John 20:24-29). On the Mount of Transfiguration, those closest to Jesus identified that Moses and Elijah were with the Lord (Luke 9:29-33). Furthermore, our forecasted gathering with God celebrates our reunion with fellow Christ followers as well. After telling us that the dead will rise first at the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16), the Apostle Paul explains that “we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Clearly, it is scriptural and appropriate for us to look forward to seeing the people we love again. We are even told to “comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).” The blessing of our friendships doesn’t compete with the joy we will have in God, but it is an expression of it. [Read more…]

Editor’s note: In order to protect the privacy of this family, the names have been withheld. I personally know this wonderful family and the writer is a pastor of a Tennessee Baptist church. Due to the negative publicity this resolution generated in June, I wanted to give Tennessee Baptists a perspective from a family who has experienced the heartbreak of infertility. See pasge 8 for more information on the resolution.

In the aftermath of this year’s SBC annual meeting, many headlines were written claiming that the SBC came out in opposition of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) after passing of a resolution “On the ethical realities of reproductive technologies and the dignity of the human embryo.” 

Many emotions were triggered by those headlines from people whose families have been touched by the struggles of infertility. As someone who was in the room when that resolution was passed and has personally experienced the utter heartbreak of infertility, I wanted to speak to why I voted in favor of the resolution. [Read more…]

Teeter

Is your pastor making a living wage? Our pastors willingly carry many burdens on their congregation’s behalf, but financial hardship should not be one of them. When they answered the call to ministry, they didn’t go in with the expectation of building wealth but they did hope to earn a solid income to provide for themselves and their families and to finish well financially. 

Unfortunately, the pastor’s pay is losing ground. The latest SBC church compensation study revealed that pastors’ compensation has remained flat over the previous four years, while inflation increased by 17 percent during that same time.

We appreciate our pastors and want to ensure they are provided for financially as the Lord leads them in ministry. Proper compensation for our pastors is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our churches. On the other hand, financial insecurity can hinder a pastor’s ability to minister effectively and strain the relationship between him and his congregation. That’s why the careful evaluation of pastoral compensation packages is essential. [Read more…]

The last two weeks seem like a blur with all that has happened in our nation.

On July 13, a 20-year-old Pennsylvanian attempted to assassinate former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump while he was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania.

An assassination attempt on a president or candidate has not occurred since 1981 when at attempt was made on then president Ronald Reagan.

The bullet missed killing Trump by a millimeter, according to most estimates. Many people are saying that God miraculously spared his life. I believe He did. By all accounts of “experts,” Trump should be dead today. 

I don’t agree with the contention that God spared Trump’s life to anoint him as the next president. That remains to be seen. I do believe that God spared his life to avoid our nation plunging into choas. [Read more…]

Dooley

In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Americans are left wanting answers surrounding the tragedy. 

One brave father present at the rally, Corey Comperatore, died protecting his family from a stray bullet. Two other attendees, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, suffered critical injuries but are now recovering in stable condition. 

The near miss on President Trump was nothing less than breathtaking. Had the Republican nominee not turned his head at precisely the correct moment, the sniper’s murderous intent would have been realized. Had the position of the bullet been just one inch to the right, the course of American history would have changed forever in a Pennsylvania field. One cannot come closer to death and emerge unscathed.  [Read more…]