IBSA eConnection: Pastor Appreciation Month, grow your church, free prayer study, more

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

CP Missions: Every dollar touches the world

When you place your offering in the plate, you touch the world. Every Sunday.

That's an amazing thought, that every week, church goers across the nation are supporting missions through the Cooperative Program. And what at first may seem to be "a drop in the bucket" becomes a strong and steady stream for funding missions, missionaries, and ministry worldwide. Starting with that offering plate at your church.

October is Cooperative Program Month. Get free CP teaching resources including an e-book and bulletin inserts at IBSA.org.

2012 IBSA Annual Meeting: Mission Illinois

The IBSA Annual Meeting is Nov. 14-15 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. The meeting's theme, "Mission Illinois" reflects its focus on reaching the state for Christ with an emphasis on the SEND: Chicago and St. Louis partnership efforts with the North American Mission Board. Learn more about the IBSA Annual Meeting at IBSA.org.

The IBSA Pastors' Conference is Nov. 13-14 and also at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur. Get the schedule, a list of speakers and more at IBSAPastorsConf.com.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Pastor Appreciation Month provides an opportunity for congregations to affirm and express its love to the pastor and staff. Single staff churches as well as congregations with multiple ministers will benefit from a special recognition of those who serve. Learn what your church can do at IBSA.org.

Don't forget your pastor's wife. Get practical ideas for supporting her at LifeWay.com.

5 things that keep a church small and how to overcome them

God is not hung up on numbers nor should we be. But God is concerned for the lost, and a church that impacts the lost grows by conversion. Numbers ought to be one indicator of His blessing. The church grows when God and His people are in partnership. Learn how to overcome the way of thinking that keeps a church small at ChurchLeaders.com.

Free prayer study: The power of praying in God's name

God's name tells us what kind of God he is. In fact, there are over 300 names for God given in the Bible. Why so many? Perhaps, it is because no one name can adequately convey all that God is. Each is a revelation of the holy, sacred character of God. Former Illinois Baptist Pastor Rick Ezell uses his church's Wednesday night prayer gatherings to teach short lessons on prayer. Get all 12 of his brief studies free to learn more about the power of praying in God's name at LifeWay.com.

6 ways churches reverse a decline

While researching churches across America, and talking with church leaders in a variety of settings, Thom Rainer has learned many churches are plateaued or declined. Many leaders are frustrated and seeking God's solution to the situation. And a number of churches exhibit common patterns when they break out of their numerical slump. Visit ThomRainer.com to learn six of the most common ways churches can reverse a decline.

Judson University presidential search
A word from IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams: "It's my privilege to serve as a Trustee at Judson University, and to be praying for the University as it seeks a new President. As we seek to reach the vast population of Chicagoland with the Gospel, Judson is a strong, Baptist partner in training young men and women to serve in the hundreds of new churches needed there. Several students from IBSA churches attend Judson, and we are working with them on scholarship programs and a church planting emphasis within the Christian Ministries curriculum. If you know of qualified candidates, submit your recommendations to the Presidential Search Committee." Learn more by watching the Judson University Presidential Search video.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with relevant, useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.