Thursday, December 21, 2017

• Holiday grief confronts Sutherland Springs, Las Vegas

  by David Roach, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  Image: iStock/license purchase required.

  SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (BP) -- Some churches long have held special Christmas services to acknowledge the pain and loss many people feel surrounding the holidays. But in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and Las Vegas, sadness and grief are particularly intense this year for those impacted by two senseless tragedies.

  Amid the aftermath of deadly massacres this fall in both cities, pastors there are seeking avenues to bring consolation and comfort.

  The "primary" way to minister to grieving people "isn't a five-step method as much ... Read More

• Former Midwestern President Milton Ferguson dies at 89

  by T. Patrick Hudson, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) -- Milton Ferguson, 89, the second president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died today (Dec. 21) in Kansas City, Mo., after a brief battle with cancer.

  Ferguson's tenure as president at Midwestern Seminary began in February 1973, and he served the seminary community in this role before retiring in 1995 at the age of 66.

  "Serving as Midwestern Seminary's president for 23 years, Dr. Ferguson led the ... Read More

• Former Atl. chief gets partial federal court win

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  Photo by Adam Covington

  ATLANTA (BP) -- Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has gained a victory in federal court, where a judge ruled the city's policies under which he was fired are unconstitutional.

  Federal Judge Leigh Martin May granted summary judgment to Cochran Wednesday (Dec. 20), finding Atlanta's pre-clearance rules governing such activities as writing a non-work-related book violate the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment by restraining speech in advance and inviting "unbridled discretion" by the city to approve or deny outside work. Read More

• Gospel parenting prime topic for ERLC in 2017

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  Photo by Kelly Hunter

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Applying the Gospel of Jesus to parenting received significant attention from the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission during 2017.

  The ERLC dedicated its annual national conference to Christ-centered parenting and developed curriculum on the same subject during the year. The other issues that marked the entity's work included religious liberty, racial reconciliation and the sanctity of human life. Read More

• LifeWay celebrates new headquarters in Nashville

  by LifeWay staff, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  Photo by Katie Shull/LifeWay

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- For LifeWay Christian Resources, 2017 marked a historic move and the launch of several new resources and services to meet the needs of churches in a rapidly changing culture.

  In November, LifeWay moved into its new Nashville headquarters celebrating with a dedication ceremony.

  At the same time, LifeWay opened a new store in downtown Nashville, returning a retail presence to a community where LifeWay Christian Store had been a fixture ... Read More

• CHRISTMAS: No need to grieve alone

  by Jesse Campbell, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  Image: iStock/license purchase required.

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- I just wanted to make her smile once. That was all I wanted that Christmas. I wanted my wife to smile again.

  Christmastime has taken a quantum leap toward the better in my family over the past few years. Our 2012 Christmas was mired in grief with few glimmers of glee. Today, it is conversely defined mostly by joy with sparse speckles of pain.

  The climb out took time and a work of God's Spirit through His Word in our hearts. God's Word can do the same for you and I will share with you how. Just know first ... Read More

• 'Game On!': VBS previews slated by LifeWay in January

  by Aaron Wilson, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  

  LifeWay photo

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- As football begins to wrap up for the year, sports enthusiasts need not despair. The season for Smocket is right around the corner.

  Smocket (a made-up competition) is featured in "Game On!" -- the 2018 Vacation Bible School theme from LifeWay Christian Resources.

  In January, several thousand children's ministry workers will get an introduction to Smocket and other Game On! content at one of LifeWay's six 2018 VBS previews. Read More

• Bible Study: Dec. 24, 2017

  by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

  This week's Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.

  Bible Passage: Philippians 2:5-11 Read More

• CHRISTMAS: Herod, Joseph, you & me

  by Michael Kelley, posted Thursday, December 21, 2017 (4 years ago)

  Michael Kelley notes how the Herod, volatile and murderous, and Joseph in his humility had something in common: They both recognized they must respond to this infant born in a meager stable. Read More