Wednesday, May 14, 2014

News from the Illinois Baptist

5 church plants sprout in 9 days

Five new churches held their "grand opening" events during the two weekends before Easter. The congregations couldn't be any more different: They are Hispanic, Korean, Anglo, and multicultural. They meet in the inner city, in new suburbs and older neighborhoods, and way out in the countryside. Yet their worship services are remarkably alike: all in English, all contemporary, all enthusiastic, and mostly loud. Learn more about these new plants at iB2news.org.

Is life really 'All about God'?
Christians are pretty good at being self-depricating. We value it as some sort of symbol for holiness. However, every time we say, "Eh, I'm nothing," we discount the powerful work of God in creating humanity in His own image. Find out more at ChurchLeaders.com.

9 rapid changes in church worship services

If you were attending a church worship service in 1955 and then returned to the same church in 1975, the changes would be noticeable but not dramatic. If you, however, attended a church worship service in 2000 and then returned to that same church in 2010, there is a high likelihood you would see dramatic changes in just ten years. Learn more about theses changes and what they mean for your church at ThomRainer.com.

SBC task force suggests solutions for baptism decline

A task force appointed to study declining baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention released its report May 12, detailing five problems they believe have contributed to the recent downward trend. The task force, appointed last year by the North American Mission Board and comprised mostly of pastors, also suggested five solutions focused on prayer, evangelism and discipleship. Get the task force's report at iB2news.org.

7 reasons your church isn't reaching the unchurched

Almost everyone wants their church to grow, but most churches aren't growing, and even the ones that are sometimes experience a majority of their spike from transfer growth rather than from previously unchurched people. So why don't churches who say they want to reach unchurched people actually reach unchurched people? Learn the reasons why at CareyNieuwhof.com.

10/40: Send Me! Super Summer June 24-28, 2014

Super Summer is a training and learning experience for the students in your youth group who have already committed their lives to Christ and who are seeking fresh ways to develop their fullest potential as Christian leaders.

This year's theme focuses on the 10/40 Missions Window -- the area of the world between 10 and 40 degrees latitude north of the equator in the Eastern Hemisphere, covering North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Find out how your student can register at ilstudentz.com.

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