SBC President Steve Gaines to encourage pastors at next week’s E4 Conference
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines is the keynote speaker for next week’s E4 Preaching Conference. Gaines, who is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., will bring messages during three sessions of the annual conference Sept. 20 at First Baptist Church Pineville. In addition to Gaines’ messages and music by the First Baptist Pineville praise team, the conference will also feature breakout sessions on such topics as Biblical examples of how doctrinal preaching helps in discouraging times, preaching through a crisis, preaching on the Trinity and preaching on social issues: how can I preach on social issues without devolving into the social gospel? Professors from Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will lead the breakout sessions. Those attending the conference will have the opportunity to win numerous giveaways, valued at a total of $2,500. The North American Mission Board is providing lunch along with giveaway items including numerous books, an iPad mini, an iPad, blue tooth speakers and an Apple TV. Pastors displaced by last month’s flood in southern Louisiana … [Read more...]
Your church as a greenhouse
By Lane Corley I enjoy gardening. Even though I’m not very good at it. Why? I don’t always have the time to do what’s necessary to grow and multiply plants to their fullest extent. The best gardeners know how and put in the time to create the right conditions for growth and multiplication. The very best gardeners will start with a greenhouse to nurse the plants in early stages before they are ever put in the ground. A greenhouse is a tool where you can create the perfect conditions for multiplication & growth of plants at all different stages and with various needs. I enjoy gardening in part because of the many parallels it has to church planting and ministry. I’ve began to see church as a greenhouse – a tool to create the right conditions for multiplication & growth OF DISCIPLES. Here are five truths I’m learning on church as a GREENHOUSE: Disciples must be nurtured. Like plants, like a garden, like a greenhouse, disciples need time and attention. One of the greatest books on discipleship has in its title a reminder we constantly need – Disciples Are Made, Not Born. While we are not completely responsible for the growth of a disciple, part of our commission from Jesus requires time and attention and energy … [Read more...]
