Wednesday, December 10, 2014

10 troubling statements church leaders and members make

If you want your church to move toward a slow yet certain death, make certain your church leadership and membership affirms most of the ten statements found in the article. See if you have ever heard any of these said at your church at ThomRainer.com.

How to predict divorce (Hint: It involves the wedding cake)

As a pastor, Kevin Thompson can predict the likelihood of divorce based on how the couple exchanges their wedding cake. While most cake exchanges are cute, playful, gentle and respectful, some of them get ugly. Read the signs of a marriage in trouble based on the cake exchange at ChurchLeaders.com.

News from the Illinois Baptist
Why my family puts a shoebox under the Christmas tree

Where do babies come from? It's a question children have been asking through the ages and one that parents have found some creative ways of answering. My family has a unique explanation for a baby's arrival to its new family. Read more from Serena Butler about her family's unusual tradition at IB2news.org.

Year-end church missions contributions

Here's an opportunity to catch up on your missions giving! Giving to the Cooperative Program and Mission Illinois Offerings is well behind last year's pace. Help us help our Southern Baptists missionaries serving around the world. Your gift will have impact for the Kingdom well beyond 2015. Get year-end giving deadlines and other information at IBSA.org.

Join us for our greatest student evangelistic event of the year
If you haven't yet registered to attend Youth Encounter, what are you waiting for? Check out these videos from Flame, V-Rose, The Never Claim, Team Word Play, and Bryan Drake. You don't want to miss Youth Encounter 2014! Register now at IBSA.org/student and pay just $45 per person for this two-day evangelistic event.

10 ways to be missional on social media

Social sharing is on the rise, but that probably doesn't come as much of as surprise. As social media becomes more like the Areopagus, the place where ideas are exchanged, of our day, the Church must recognize the importance of being present on social media and take steps to do so. Learn how at ERLC.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.