| What about the children? |
 Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), the multi-faith National Observance of Children's Sabbaths, October 16-18, is a good time for churches to renew and live out their "moral responsibility to care, protect and advocate" for children through worship, educational programs and congregational activities. Get your congregation involved right here, right now! And while you're at it, check out this blog reflection about a summer CDF internship, sponsored by National Ministries, from Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, a 2009 graduate of Morehouse College and 2007 Biennial speaker at National Ministries' luncheon. |
| How does your church score on meeting and greeting? |
 Church is changing, and our understanding of ministry is moving beyond preaching, singing, evangelism and mission. When it comes to gaining and retaining members, there is no more hiding behind a handshake--the quality of welcome makes a difference. This is the basis for The Work of the Greeter, the newest book in the classic Judson Press "Work of the Church" series. Jump-start your expanded understanding of this important function of church life by participating in a free October 8 webinar hosted by Evangelism Coach International and presented by author Paige Lanier Chargois. |
| Christian center directors gather in Valley Forge |
 Close to two dozen directors of National Ministries' Christian centers from across the country met at American Baptist Churches USA Mission Center in September for renewal, networking and information sharing. Among other presenters, Judson Press author Dr. Kirk Byron Jones led the group in a discussion about taking Rest in the Storm, a tall order for these servants of God who are often more concerned about the families and children their centers serve than themselves. |
| We stand on the shoulders of many faithful American Baptists |
 In this year of celebration commemorating the Baptist movement's birth four centuries ago, it's good to take stock of the past and remember the faithful words and works of those who built the foundation of our ministry and mission today. To that end, National Ministries offers a new FREE resource, "Celebrating Centuries of American Baptist Home Mission." This CDROM PowerPoint presentation with narration, originally presented at the 2007 Biennial in Washington, D.C., traces the development of the Baptist mission societies that have come together since 1824 to form National Ministries. |
