IBSA eConnection

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cooperative ProgramOctober is Cooperative Program Month
Through the Cooperative Program, nearly 44,000 SBC churches support the missions and ministries of the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, 42 state conventions, six SBC Seminaries and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. This includes the nearly 11,000 missionaries serving in the U.S. and in more than 153 countries. Learn more about how your giving through the Cooperative Program touches the world and get free materials at IBSA.org.

SkepticalThe rise of the nones: Reflections on the new Pew Forum data

This week the Pew Forum released a study indicating the number of Americans with no religious affiliation (identified as the "Nones," as in "none of the above") is climbing. According to the study, 1 in 5 Americans now claim no religious identity. Should we be alarmed? Read Ed Stetzer's thoughts on his blog at EdStetzer.com.

IBSA Annual Meeting

Get your IBSA Annual Meeting and Pastors' Conference information

Start planning now for the IBSA Annual Meeting and Pastors' Conference. Meeting schedules, exhibit hall and LifeWay Bookstore hours, dinner buffet information, resolutions, free book giveaway information and more are available at IBSA.org.

Pastor AppreciationMore ways to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month

We've added several more article links to the Pastor Appreciation Month section of our website including a helpful planning worksheet and ways children and teens can let pastors know how much they are appreciated. Visit IBSA.org for even more ideas.

2012 IMOHelp us plan next year's Illinois Mission Offering and Season of Prayer

Your input in our Illinois Mission Offering survey will be very helpful to us. We'd like to know which of the materials and videos you found useful to better serve you. Please complete the short survey at IBSA.org and thank you for supporting the Illinois Mission Offering.

One wayIs Jesus really the only way? An answer to the skeptics

We've all heard the claim, "There are many ways to heaven -- Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, etc." While there may be many religions that claim to hold "the truth," Christianity is the only religion that can truly stake that claim. Learn 5 ways the Christian faith is unique among all religions at ChurchLeaders.com.

ImmaturityLearning to recognize spiritual immaturity
Every church needs a healthy portion of immature members. After all, new believers start out as spiritual babies with a world of learning and growing ahead. But no church should ever place spiritual babies in positions of leadership. Do that, and the news is all bad. Learn what you should do from Joe McKeever at Crosswalk.com.

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.

 

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IBSA Events    

October

1-31 Cooperative Program Month

 

1-31 Pastor Appreciation Month

  

11 Creative Preaching Conference - Logan St. BC, Mt. Vernon

 

12-13 Disaster Relief Training - Lake Sallateeska

 

13 Building Powerful Ministry Teams  - Quincy FSBC

 

14 World Hunger Sunday

 

17-19 Churches Planting Churches Training

 

27 VBS Preview

 

November

2-3 AWSOM (Missions conference for teen girls)

  

3 Building Powerful Ministry Teams - Tabernacle, Decatur

 

13-14 IBSA Pastors' Conference

 

14-15 IBSA Annual Meeting

  

22 Thanksgiving

 

December

2-9 Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

 

25 Christmas

 

28-29 Youth Encounter 

 

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