Issue Date: 2009-07-02
Volume: 188
Number: 15

News

Pastors' Conference looks toward unity
Published July 2, 2009

On the second day of the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference at the Kentucky Exposition Center June 22, speakers exhorted pastors to lead with "One Love," "One Spirit," and "One Purpose."

Do new buildings, services lead to growth?
By Mark Kelly
Published July 2, 2009

With two-thirds of all Protestant churches having expanded their ministry space or outlets in the past five years, a study by LifeWay Research shows:

Wynn named to NAMB Great Commission re-focus task force
By Mickey Noah
Published July 2, 2009

Twenty-four Southern Baptists from a broad cross-section of the denomination - theologians, missiologists, practitioners, denominational leaders, and pastors of churches of varying sizes and ethnicities - comprise the new North American Great Commission Task Force, which met for the first time on June 23, prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Louisville, Ky.

Hispanic leaders meet in Louisville
Published July 2, 2009

Survey: Megachurches attract many under 45
By Adelle M. Banks
Published July 2, 2009

Megachurches are most attractive to younger adults, and almost all who arrive at their sanctuaries have darkened a church's door before, a new survey shows.

Giving Back Ministries connects families with God's great outdoors
By J. Gerald Harris
Published July 2, 2009

Giving Back Ministries, based on Acts 20:35, is all about giving men, women, children, and those with special needs a place to enjoy the great outdoors.

The gospel according to Twitter
By Amy Green, c. 2009 Religion News Service
Published July 2, 2009

Do you tweet during church? Isn’t it rude?

Hunt names GCR task force members
Published July 2, 2009

Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt appointed 18 people to the "Great Commission Resurgence Task Force" June 24 during the morning session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Louisville, Ky.

Georgians serving cold drinks, warm fellowship... and Jesus
Crossover reaches Louisville with 95 outreach events
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published July 2, 2009

Jeff and Tanya Coile of Danielsville decided it was time to take their first family mission trip and introduce their eight-year-old daughter, Taylor, to a lifetime of serving others.

WRAP-UP: SBC green-lights Great Commission Task Force
By Michael Foust
Published July 2, 2009

With the goal of finding ways Southern Baptists "can work more faithfully and effectively" together in fulfilling the Great Commission, messengers to the convention's annual meeting June 23-24 gave the green light to a task force to examine the denomination for one year and report back to the 2010 meeting in Orlando Fla.

Kenny Perry sees beyond Masters loss
By Art Stricklin
Published July 2, 2009

Golfer Kenny Perry has a message for fans or media who think he is still crushed or depressed by his recent Masters playoff loss: His faith in Jesus Christ is enough to take care of any professional distress.

Truett-McConnell establishes missions center
Published July 2, 2009

Focusing on leading students to think beyond north Georgia, Truett-McConnell College opened its new on-campus World Missions Center July 1 with H. Edward Pruitt as its director.

More scenes from SBC 2009
Published July 2, 2009

Attendance higher, younger at SBC meeting
By Brian Koonce
Published July 2, 2009

Interest in the Great Commission Resurgence caused an attendance resurgence at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., according to registration secretary Jim Wells. This year's unofficial messenger count was 8,790, more than 1,500 over last year's tally in Indianapolis.

Motions: GCR endorsed; Driscoll criticized
By Keith Hinson
Published July 2, 2009

Messengers offered 31 motions but approved only one during the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting June 23-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Seen around SBC 2009
Published July 2, 2009

SBC Annual Meeting
Published July 2, 2009

WMU envisions a changed world
By Shawn Hendricks
Published July 2, 2009

One changed life for Christ can change the world, Kaye Miller said.

Church needs 'old-timey' revival, Lotz says
By Joni B. Hannigan
Published July 2, 2009

Anne Graham Lotz said she didn't really know what to think 12 years ago when it appeared her life was "unraveling."

Georgia students serve as pages at SBC annual meeting
Published July 2, 2009

Wii want to register
Published July 2, 2009

Obama resolution: prayer/concern
By Tom Strode
Published July 2, 2009

Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting approved a resolution June 24 celebrating the election of the country's first African American president and urging prayer on his behalf, while expressing opposition to his actions regarding unborn life and homosexuality.

Great Commission task force overwhelmingly approved
Georgia Baptist executive director named to historic group
By Mark Kelly
Published July 2, 2009

On a show of ballots, Southern Baptist Convention messengers June 23 authorized their president, Johnny Hunt, to appoint a task force to study how Southern Baptists can work "more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission."

NAAF inaugurates 'Friend of Pastors' award
By Karen L. Willoughby
Published July 2, 2009

The National African American Fellowship presented a new award during its annual meeting and banquet June 22 to recognize individuals who "really deliver" in facilitating relationships between the SBC and African American pastors.

Bott Radio blocks Driscoll, replaces segment mid-show
By Don Hinkle
Published July 2, 2009

One of America's largest Christian radio networks interrupted one of its programs in mid-show on May 18 because it featured the controversial Seattle, Wash., pastor Mark Driscoll.

People and Places

Ministerial Moves
Published July 2, 2009

Revival Report
Published July 2, 2009

Obituaries
Published July 2, 2009

Groundbreakings
Published July 2, 2009

Ordinations
Published July 2, 2009

Cooperative Program Stories

Getting the Word in
Competiton brings scripture to mind for students
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published July 2, 2009

Before competing in the national High School Bible Drill competition, Kristen Harris, 17, calmed her nerves by reciting one of the scriptures she had memorized during another year of Bible drill.

Bible Study

Living in the Spirit
By John Darsey, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst
Published July 2, 2009

Gen. 1:1-2; John 7:10-39; Acts 4:13-31; 5:1-11; I Cor. 12:1-11
Bible Studies for Life, July 19

Exalting the Son
By John Darsey, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Hazlehurst
Published July 2, 2009

Colossians 1:1-23
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, July 12

Columns

The Great Commission Resurgence Committee
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 2, 2009

The messengers attending the Southern Baptist Convention annual session in Louisville seemed to overwhelmingly embrace President Johnny Hunt's appointment of a committee to study and implement his dream of a Great Commission Resurgence.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published July 2, 2009

Some may be asking, "What is the Great Commission Resurgence all about?" In reality, it can be about only one thing: The Great Commission.

Remember the sacrifices you don't always see
By Sara Horn
Published July 2, 2009

You may not have known it but May was Military Appreciation Month, a time each year when our country recognizes the incredible contributions and sacrifices our Armed Forces and their families make through their loyal and honorable service.

With strict oversight, video games can be fun for children
By James Dobson
Published July 2, 2009