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Archives For October 31, 2013

Messengers affirm five resolutions

Meredith Flynn —  November 14, 2013

IBSA ANNUAL MEETING | Messengers in Springfield approved five resolutions this morning without discussion, four of which are online at IBSA.org/meeting2013. The resolutions covered human exploitation, the preservation of marriage, appreciation for WMU’s 125 years, and gaming expansion in Illinois.

Wes Hahn, chairman of the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee, and committee member Bruce Kugler also recommended a fifth resolution on personal evangelism.

Committee chair Wes Hahn is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport

Committee chair Wes Hahn is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport

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Photo Gallery: IBSA Pastors’ Conference and Annual Meeting

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

Chuck Kelley concluded the Pastors’ Conference Wednesday with a challenge about leading the next generation, followed by the first day of the IBSA Annual Meeting. The schedule of business and budgets and reports was interspersed with worship led by LifeWay’s Mike Harland and Gospel trio Sons of the Father. Wednesday evening’s worship service highlighted church planting, including a charge by NAMB’s Gary Frost to be bold for the sake of the Gospel.

Carmen Halsey, Tammie Emerson, and Andrea Cruse at the annual Ministers' Wives' Conference.

IBSA’s Carmen Halsey joined Tammie Emerson and Andrea Cruse, both from Living Faith Baptist in Sherman, at the annual Ministers’ Wives’ Conference.

DeAndre Williams from Eternity Baptist in Centralia reads along with Dr. Chuck Kelley during the final message of the IBSA Pastors' Conference.

DeAndre Williams from Eternity Baptist in Centralia reads along with Dr. Chuck Kelley during the final message of the IBSA Pastors’ Conference.

Outgoing Pastors' Conference president Chad Ozee (left) laughs with new president Michael Allen (right) and newly elected treasurer David Sutton.

Outgoing Pastors’ Conference president Chad Ozee (left) laughs with new president Michael Allen (right) and newly elected treasurer David Sutton.

East St. Louis church planter Barnicio Cureton prays during the opening session of the Annual Meeting.

East St. Louis church planter Barnicio Cureton prays during the opening session of the Annual Meeting.

Messengers approve the 2014 IBSA budget.

Messengers conduct the meeting’s first official vote.

Jonathan Peters, finishing his second year as IBSA President, preached on Jonah to end the Tuesday afternoon session.

Jonathan Peters, finishing his second year as IBSA President, preached on Jonah to end the Wednesday afternoon session.

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams presenting the board's report.

IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams presenting the board’s report.

Les, Chris and Brent Snyder, or Sons of the Father, opened the Wednesday evening session with a worship concert.

Les, Chris and Brent Snyder, or Sons of the Father, opened the Wednesday evening session with a worship concert.

Churches affiliating with IBSA are presented to messengers.

Churches affiliating with IBSA are presented to messengers.

Gene Crume, president of Judson University, shared about a partnership between IBSA and the school that will bring students to the campus this summer for a "Go Week" focused on missions.

Gene Crume, president of Judson University, shared about a partnership between IBSA and the school that will bring Illinois students to the campus this summer for a “Go Week” focused on missions.

IBSA's Van Kicklighter (left) interviewed Alton church planter Steven Helfrich during the worship service focused on Mission Illinois: Churches Together Advancing the Gospel.

IBSA’s Van Kicklighter (left) interviewed Alton church planter Steven Helfrich during the worship service focused on Mission Illinois: Churches Together Advancing the Gospel.

Boldness manifests itself in confidence for a believer in Christ, Gary Frost said. But, "don't confuse confidence with arrogance," added the North American Mission Board's Midwest vice president.

Boldness manifests itself in confidence for a believer in Christ, Gary Frost said. But, “don’t confuse confidence with arrogance,” added the North American Mission Board’s Midwest vice president.

Meeting attenders committed to pray for church planters, partner with them in their work, or explore planting opportunities themselves.

Meeting attenders committed to pray for church planters, partner with them in their work, or explore planting opportunities themselves.

After the session, messengers visited with Illinois church planters at a dessert reception. (Pie was served in the lobby, but attenders had to visit a church planter in order to get a fork.)

After the session, messengers visited with Illinois church planters at a dessert reception. (Pie was served in the lobby, but attenders had to visit a church planter in order to get a fork.)

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What makes a perfect minister’s wife?

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

Ministers_WivesMINISTERS’ WIVES’ CONFERENCE | Christina Batchelor of Bethel Baptist in Princeton, Ill., celebrates a win for her table during the annual gathering of ministry spouses coinciding with the IBSA Pastors’ Conference. The ladies answered questions to determine which table had the most perfect pastors’ wives: Who wore a dress to church last Sunday? How many of you have ever directed your church’s Vacation Bible School? Who has sung a solo in the past year?

Busting stereotypes and being real proved to be the theme of the morning, as speaker Lynda Locke encouraged women to embrace who God has made them to be, and to celebrate how His grace has made an imprint on their lives. Locke, a pastor’s wife from Jacksonville, Ill., also talked about responding to hard times.

“Instead of acting like the world in fear in the middle of a crisis, I can respond with peace in Christ, knowing that every day in my life is part of His perfect plan for me.”

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Do you really believe it?

Meredith Flynn —  November 13, 2013

IBSA ANNUAL MEETING | “Do you REALLY believe that God uses the preaching of the Gospel to save sinful men?” asked Jonathan Peters in his president’s message this afternoon on the prophet Jonah.

“To save sinners, to transform communities, to revive dead hearts and bring them back to life through the preaching of the Gospel? Jonah believed it—he just didn’t want to do it.”

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IBSA Pastors’ Conference, Day 1: In photos

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

Day 1 of the conference has come to a close after seven sermons, two leadership panels, and a focused prayer time led by Illinois church planters. Check out these photos from the day, and come back tomorrow for more leadership-focused messages, and coverage of the IBSA Annual Meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said of leading through disaster, "Trouble for the people of God is always a thruway and not a dead end."

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said of leading through disaster, “Trouble for the people of God is always a thruway and not a dead end.”

"You don’t just do church up here, you do Christianity up here." Bobby Broyles, a church planting strategist from Oklahoma, thanked Baptists in Illinois for their support and faithfulness.

“You don’t just do church up here, you do Christianity up here.” Bobby Boyles, a church planting strategist from Oklahoma, thanked Baptists in Illinois for their support and faithfulness.

The worship team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais led Pastors' Conference attenders in old and new hymns.

The worship team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais led Pastors’ Conference attenders in old and new hymns.

LifeWay Research's Micah Fries preached on leading in the current cultural context. "For far too long we have been trying to position ourselves as counter to society, but have have not been counter to society by the way we live, but by the strange music we listen to and the odd T-shirts we wear."

LifeWay Research’s Micah Fries preached on leading in the current cultural context. “For far too long we have been trying to position ourselves as counter to society, but have have not been counter to society by the way we live, but by the strange music we listen to and the odd T-shirts we wear.”

"We began to realize we had missed a key component of spiritual formation, we could not realize in an hour or two at the church what God intended to done at home - discipleship." Tennessee pastor Jay Strother focused his message on leading a family.

“We began to realize we had missed a key component of spiritual formation, we could not realize in an hour or two at the church what God intended to done at home – discipleship.” Tennessee pastor Jay Strother focused his message on leading a family.

Eric Mason, Micah Fries, Tim Cotler and Chuck Kelley discussed what Mason called the biggest issue pressing in on our culture - fatherlessness.

Eric Mason, Micah Fries, Tim Cotler and Chuck Kelley discussed what Mason called the biggest issue pressing in on our culture – fatherlessness.

Jerry Cain, president emeritus of Judson University, shared how people made clear God's call on his life, and encouraged his listeners to do the same for other young leaders. "There are people in your church that have been called to leadership and they don’t know it yet. It’s your job to hear that call."

Jerry Cain, president emeritus of Judson University, shared how people made clear God’s call on his life, and encouraged his listeners to do the same for other young leaders. “There are people in your church that have been called to leadership and they don’t know it yet. It’s your job to hear that call.”

Philadelphia pastor Eric Mason preached on biblical leadership. "Jesus says in John 1:51, 'You will see angels ascending and descending…' It's a picture of Jacob's ladder. Jesus was saying he is that ladder. 'If you stick with me, you will see broken things connected that were never connected. Don’t ever think my power cannot connect the unconnectable.'"

Philadelphia pastor Eric Mason preached on biblical leadership. “Jesus says in John 1:51, ‘You will see angels ascending and descending…’ It’s a picture of Jacob’s ladder. Jesus was saying he is that ladder. ‘If you stick with me, you will see broken things connected that were never connected. Don’t ever think my power cannot connect the unconnectable.'”

JourneyWorship's rendition of "Build Your Kingdom Here" featured a stumpf fiddle.

JourneyWorship’s rendition of “Build Your Kingdom Here” featured a stumpf fiddle.

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‘Old’ is the new ‘new’

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

IBSA PASTORS’ CONFERENCE | The annual gathering for Illinois pastors and leaders kicked off this afternoon in Springfield, and beloved hymns have ruled the day so far, with a twist. JourneyWorship, the team from Journey Church in Bourbonnais, led the crowd in “Down at the Cross,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Victory in Jesus,” complete with thumping percussion and electric guitars.

Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, brought the conference’s first message on “Leading through Disaster.” His voice breaking several times, Kelley shared how he led the seminary in the days and months following Hurricane Katrina. “In a disaster, you always tell the truth. You don’t act like it’s no big deal. You don’t act like it’s going to be easy,” he said.

“You get in touch with who God is, you get in touch with your mission, and you get to work. And with your heart breaking, and with every day a battle, you simply get after it.”

Follow the Pastors’ Conference and IBSA Annual Meeting here and at Facebook.com/IllinoisBaptist.

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Tuesday News Briefing: Typhoon response, a LifeWay apology, and ‘Son of God’ the movie

Meredith Flynn —  November 12, 2013

THE BRIEFING | Meredith Flynn

Joining Filipino Baptists at work, IMB representative Mark Moses handed out packs of rice, noodles, canned sardines and water to Typhoon Haiyan victims on Panay island Monday, Nov. 11. “We listened to their horrifying stories of pounding winds and walls of sea water sweeping away their earthly belongings,” Moses said. “We prayed and grieved with the people. We made assessments of priority needs.” (IMB Photo by Mark Moses)

Joining Filipino Baptists at work, IMB representative Mark Moses handed out food and water to Typhoon Haiyan victims on Panay island Monday, Nov. 11. “We prayed and grieved with the people,” Moses said. “We made assessments of priority needs.” IMB photo by Mark Moses; from IMB.org

As officials assess the damage from Typhoon Haiyan, Southern Baptist workers in the Philippines are distributing food and evaluating how best to meet immediate and long-term needs. Officials estimate 10,000 people could have died in the storm. International Mission Board representative Dottie Smith said, “Pray for strength for those who are still stranded, low on food and water and are feeling helpless.” Read more at IMB.org.

LifeWay apologizes for stereotypes in ‘Rickshaw Rally’

The Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing arm, LifeWay Christian Resources, apologized last week for the use of racial stereotypes in “Rickshaw Rally,” its 10-year-old Vacation Bible School curriculum.

“I agree with those who have helped us understand the offensive nature of that material,” LifeWay President Thom Rainer said in the video apology presented at the Mosaix conference in California. “And I agree evangelical church and ministry leaders — particularly those of us who are white — need to commit to assuring, as best we can, these offenses stop.”

Rainer became LifeWay’s president in 2006. Read more at BPNews.net.

Coming soon to a theater near you
The producers behind History Channel’s “The Bible” miniseries are repackaging the parts of the story that focus on Jesus for a new feature film. “Son of God” will be released February 28, 2014 by 20th Century Fox. “This is a big story. It deserves a big presentation,” Roma Downey told The Christian Post. The star of “Touched by an Angel” produced “The BIble” with her husband, Mark Burnett, and also starred as Mary, the mother of Jesus. “The stand-alone opportunity of two hours and 15 minutes to follow the birth, the life, the mission, the miracles, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, the Great Commission, the entire Jesus narrative.” Read more at ChristianPost.com.

IBSA Annual Meeting starts Nov. 13
Follow along here and at Facebook.com/IllinoisBaptist or Twitter.com/IllinoisBaptist. The IBSA Pastors’ Conference starts today, with panel discussions and messages by Bobby Boyles, Jerry Cain, Micah Fries, Chuck Kelley, Eric Mason and Jason Strother. For more information, go to IBSA.org/meeting2013.

Writer lists five phrases that are too ‘churchy’ for Millenials
Blogger and author Addie Zierman once left the church, and now she’s back. She shares on The Washington Post’s On Faith blog five church cliches that are “maddening and alienating” to Millenials like her. Read the list here and then tell us how you agree or disagree.

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Pray for the IBSA Annual Meeting this week

Meredith Flynn —  November 11, 2013

MI_logoHEARTLAND | Lisa Sergent

We need every aspect of our IBSA Annual Meeting, Nov. 13-14, to be bathed in prayer. Please look over the prayer prompts below, and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you to return often to this list during the meeting.

Pray all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

  • Give praise for all the ministry the Lord has accomplished through the work of the Illinois Baptist State Association congregations and ministries this past year.
  • Pray for the messengers as they travel to the meeting from across Illinois: safety, discernment as they hear reports, wisdom as they cast votes, and communication of the work of IBSA to their home congregation.
  • Pray for the guests, presenters and exhibitors who will be preparing and traveling to be with us; ears for us to hear speakers’ challenges and presentations, and for divine connections to serve our pastors and messengers.
  • Pray for North American Mission Board Vice President for the Midwest Gary Frost, as he travels and as shares with us; may they hear clearly from us for their work at a national level as we desire to hear compellingly from them for impact in our communities.
  • Pray for IBSA President Jonathan Peters as he leads the meeting and Tim Lewis as he preaches the annual sermon.
  • Pray for the IBSA Pastors’ Conference and Minister’s Wives Conference and Luncheon that precede the Annual Meeting: encouragement, enlightenment, empowerment … And ask the Spirit for a generous offering for Minister’s Relief.
  • Pray for the Annual Meeting Mission Illinois theme to inspire and inform each messenger so they may inspire and influence their congregation.
  • Give thanks for our new fellowship in the Spirit with congregations applying for affiliation with IBSA; pray they will be healthy, reproducing churches.
  • Bring to the Lord the many church plants scattered across our state and request we become known for fruitful new churches.
  • Pray as the messengers elect officers to serve the convention for 2013-14, that each officer will serve with faith and integrity, and will use their authority to build the work of IBSA.
  • Pray for the IBSA Executive Board as they meet to organize for their work for a new year … for IBSA staff members to have the resources they need to equip those who equip the saints for the work of the ministry.
  • Ask the Spirit to direct many to the Annual Meeting Prayer Room (Plaza 4) that they might spend even a few minutes asking the Lord how we can better pray and more effectively serve in the coming year.

Lisa Sergent is communications director for the Illinois Baptist State Association.

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After the marriage vote, what now?

Meredith Flynn —  November 7, 2013

COMMENTARY | Meredith Flynn

For something that we talked about for so long, the debate over same-sex marriage seemed to end so quickly. Tuesday’s vote in the Illinois House was preceded by two hours of debate, sure, but the feeling inside the Capitol was that this decision was a foregone conclusion.

The legislation – officially titled Senate Bill 10 – passed narrowly through the House and zipped back through the Senate and onto to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk, where presumably it will be signed soon. If all goes according to the bill, same-sex marriage is legal in Illinois effective June 1, 2014.

Supporters of the bill stood in line outside the House gallery, hoping to get inside before the vote. As discussion dragged on inside the chamber, they huddled around iPads and cell phones, listening to a live stream of the debate. Eventually, they struck up conversations about what a yes vote would mean.

“It’s a no-brainer,” a young woman in an ILove T-shirt told me. She was polite and hopeful about the day, probably college-age. We chatted for a few minutes about what we thought about the issue, and I told her church leaders are most concerned about redefining something originally defined by God.

“But not everyone believes in God,” she said. For her, religion and the matter at hand were completely separate. And after five or ten minutes, I realized I didn’t have answers to counter her argument.

Before the vote, we heard that people on the pro side of the same-sex marriage won’t be persuaded by debate based on the Bible. In other words, our defense of marriage is rightly grounded in biblical truth, but our arguments need oomph – sociological, philosophical and yes, theological, oomph.

How true that is now that we’re facing a new normal in Illinois. As I continued to think about what I could have said in that line, I realized this is a new day for Christians too. We have to pray harder for our culture, study God’s Word more faithfully, and be more diligent in our thinking. Unlike my friend in line, this has to be a “brainer” for us.

Above all, we have to be more loving. This months-long debate has been divisive. Relationships are frayed between conservative Christians and those who advocated a new definition of marriage. We have to love intentionally in the days ahead. We’ll do that by thinking deeply and compassionately, and with discipline. And letting our words so follow.

Meredith Flynn is managing editor of the Illinois Baptist newspaper.

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Gay marriage legalized, ending conservative Christians’ long protest

Meredith Flynn —  November 5, 2013
Advocates for same-sex marriage packed the House gallery before lawmakers voted to approve SB 10 Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Advocates for same-sex marriage packed the House gallery before lawmakers voted to approve SB 10 Tuesday, Nov. 5.

FULL REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL | Gay marriage will be legal in Illinois starting June 1, after the General Assembly passed the bill today. Lawmakers in both houses approved an amended SB 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. Next, it goes to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk.

“Today the Illinois House put our state on the right side of history,” Quinn said in a statement. “Illinois is a place that embraces all people and today, we are an example for the nation.”

But not everyone agrees. Larry Trotter, pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church, has been a vocal opponent of SB 10 and worked with a coalition of African American pastors in Chicago to fight the legislation. “Regardless of the passage of SB10, we’ll always believe that marriage is between one man and one woman,” Trotter told the Chicago Sun-Times after the vote. “Yet we will still love the members of the LGBT community. We pray God’s grace, mercy and blessings over the state of Illinois and the United States of America.”

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), is congratulated after House members voted 61-54 in favor of it, with two voting present.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), is congratulated after House members voted 61-54 in favor of it, with two voting present.

Needing 60 votes to pass the amended bill, the Illinois House voted 61-54 in favor of it, with two voting present. Same-sex marriage advocates waited in line for a seat in the gallery as legislators debated two amendments. One amendment set the effective date, while the other reiterated protections for private clubs. Even so, church leaders are still concerned the measure may endanger their freedom to choose who can marry in their facilities.

The amended bill passed through the House to applause from a packed gallery, and Rep. Greg Harris, the bill’s House sponsor, got handshakes and hugs from fellow legislators as he exited the House after the vote. SB 10 then moved back to the Senate chamber, where it was originally approved in February. Senators passed the amended bill by a vote of 32-21, with six not voting.

People on both sides of the issue had been alerted that a vote could come this week, but after last week’s turnout for a rally at the Capitol, reporters from the Illinois Baptist saw little presence of conservative Christians today.

Prior to the vote, IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams sent lawmakers a letter urging them to vote against legislation like SB 10 that seeks to redefine marriage. “I’m personally very disappointed in the state legislature’s action, and in its ramifications for churches and their freedom of speech and religious expression,” Adams said after SB 10 passed.. “I believe Baptist churches in Illinois will continue to stand on the Bible’s definition of marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, while continuing to reach out in love with the Gospel message to all people.”

Messengers to the IBSA Annual Meeting will consider a resolution on same-sex marriage when they meet in Springfield Nov. 13-14. The “Resolution on the Preservation of Biblical Marriage and Affirmation of Religious Liberty of Illinois Churches and Faith-based Organizations” is available online here.

 

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