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AMARILLO, TX (BP) – Many younger pastors often feel two interesting and competing impulses. First, there is a growing sense that denominations aren't that important. Second, there is a strong desire for relationships with others in ministry and a willingness to participate in affinity-based networks. Traditional denominational membership and involvement has declined over the past few years, and yet at the same time new networks have emerged and grown quickly. I think this reveals both young leaders' eagerness to connect with other pastors and churches and also their desire for those networks to be meaningful and effective. In other words, young leaders are willing to participate in denominations and networks so long as they see the value in them. As a Southern Baptist, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in our particular network of churches. We are in many ways like a large (sometimes dysfunctional) family. And yet I continue to cooperate denominationally. I see value in partnership with other churches. Here are five reasons why denominations, conventions, associations, cooperatives, collectives, networks and other affiliations matter: 1. Theological identity Denominations are inherently confessional. There is something powerful when a group of churches say together in unity, "This we believe." It says to those inside and outside the denomination what it is that brings these particular churches together. My children and I love to eat sugar-filled cereal in the mornings. My wife prefers healthy cereal that tastes like cardboard. I'm thankful for cereal boxes that clearly label what kind of cereal is in the box. Because of the label on the box, I know what product I am getting. Denominations are a way identifying the beliefs of a certain group of churches -- a way of identifying what's in the box, so to speak. Labels, however much our postmodern culture hates using them when it comes to theological boundaries, are a clear way of being identified as believing X, Y or Z. This is helpful for those who are trying to decide which church to join. Theological commitments distinguish groups of churches from one another. Clear confessional statements are also helpful for churches and pastors because they make it easier to identify with other churches and pastors of like faith and practice. They help the church at large avoid divisive disagreements about theology because those who are in the denomination or network already know what each other believes about the fundamentals of the Christian faith and the particulars of denominational identity. 2. Missiological partnership There's an African proverb that says, "if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Put another way: We can do more together than we can apart. This is a basic principle of denominationalism. Denominations afford churches the chance to work together in common endeavors such as theological education, missions, church planting and disaster relief. As a Southern Baptist, it is a privilege to partner with over 47,000 other churches across the country. We pool our resources in a giving system known as the Cooperative Program. This allows us to plant new churches around the world, fully fund thousands of North American and international missionaries through our mission entities, and train thousands of future pastors and ministers through our seminaries. The Southern Baptist ecosystem also facilitates cooperative partnerships between churches at a local and a statewide level. 3. Ministerial training Denominations often create various avenues for ministerial, theological and practical training, including institutions like colleges, universities and seminaries, as well other pathways. Whether through conferences, coaching or formal education, pastors and others often find that some of the best theological and ministerial training in the world is available through their denomination. In the Southern Baptist Convention, training is available through denominational colleges and seminaries, national entities and state conventions. Personally, I benefited from attending a college affiliated with my state convention and then a Southern Baptist seminary. As important and as helpful as that training was, I have found training provided through my state convention and other national entities to be just as helpful. In fact, I found that training provided through the convention often had a practicality to it that was sometimes lacking in more formal institutional settings. Conversely, training provided through our formal institutions provided expertise and depth that I greatly appreciated. Taken together, my denomination has been a tremendous source of training both for me as a pastor and for the laypeople in the congregations I have served. 4. Pastoral accountability Denominations have the ability to provide a broad-based network of support and accountability for churches and pastors. This sometimes takes place through formal means, such as when a denomination disassociates from a church for a theological or functional reason. Sadly, this hasn't been done frequently enough. However, the framework exists within voluntary networks to be able to enforce membership standards. More commonly, denominational accountability takes place informally. If a pastor is erring theologically or personally, the pastors around him can admonish, rebuke, challenge, encourage, pray for and approach him both with a level of concern and agreed-upon intentionality that would not be there without a mutual commitment to be bonded together in a relationship. 5. Ecclesiastical fellowship Ministry is tough. It is often lonely. Denominations allow pastors and churches to have an avenue of fellowship that often doesn't exist otherwise. Pastors can draw strength and encouragement from one another. Churches can enjoy the broader unity we share in Christ as we fellowship together. Whether it's a group of local pastors meeting for lunch every month or larger groups of churches or pastors meeting together for annual gatherings and meetings, God often uses these opportunities for fellowship to renew, refresh and reinvigorate us. Together, churches that come together demonstrate to a watching world the power of the Gospel to reconcile and unify people and churches. Denominations can be a source of frustration at times, but they also can be a tremendous blessing. They allow us to embody the spirit of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for the efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." We are truly better together. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Andrew Hébert is lead pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas. This column first appeared at The Hobbs Blog of Oklahoma Baptist University's Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry. #OCTOBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – I recently read a bit of prose by Wendell Berry that speaks to the experience of all of God’s human creations and our inescapable process of growing older. That is, if our Heavenly Father graciously allows us to walk into those mature days. I just celebrated my 66th birthday and as Sly and the Family Stone sang, “I just want to celebrate another day of living.” I don’t feel old. Well, I do have sensations that are new to me, like pain in joints and places, to which I had never previously given any thought. But in my mind, I am still 20 something years young and could assault hell with a water pistol, even though my eyesight may limit the accuracy of my aim. Wendell expressed my feelings well when he wrote: I know I am getting old and I say so, but I don't think of myself as an old man. I think of myself as a young man with unforeseen debilities. Time is neither young nor old, but simply new, always counting, the only apocalypse. And the clouds —no mere measure or geometry, no cubism, can account for clouds or, satisfactorily, for bodies. There is no science for this, or art either. Even the old body is new—who has known it before?—and no sooner new than gone, to be replaced by a body yet older and again new. The clouds are rarely absent from our sky over this humid valley, and there is a sycamore that I watch as, growing on the riverbank, it forecloses the horizon, like the years of an old man. And you, who are as old almost as I am, I love as I loved you young, except that, old, I am astonished at such a possibility, and am duly grateful. "VII." by Wendell Berry from Leavings. © Counterpoint, 2010. Reprinted with permission. “When I wore a much younger man’s clothes,” I just knew that Jesus’ return would take place in a matter of days. I still believe in His imminent return, and know for a fact that His epiphany is closer than it was back in the days of my youth. I was driven to see as many people come to Christ because I knew we just didn’t have enough time remaining. That same urgency remains in my heart today, but with some added reasoning. I don’t have much time left because, well, I DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT. Yes, His return is imminent, but so could be the termination of my earthly tenure. The law of averages is not on my side. I am passionate about making every day count. I may be a bit worn, but I am not out! I may move more slowly, but it is with determination and a more deliberate purpose. I have learned where all the potholes are and the land mines because I have stepped in most of them. In my heart beats the desire to see “just one more” come to Him. The dreams and visions that the Father gives me are just as big and grandiose, and even more so than those of my youth. It is my prayer that I have enough knowledge from my experiences and attained a modicum of God’s wisdom so that I may be able to see those dreams and visions become a reality, in a way that is pleasing to Him, beneficial to His people and advances the Kingdom. I have a vision for 500 healthy, growing and multiplying Southern Baptist churches here in Michigan by 2025. I have a vision that every believer, in every BSCM church would know “who’s their one” and actively share the Gospel with them. I have a vision that every church that is affiliated with the Baptist State Convention would recognize, understand and embrace the greatest mission funding plan in the world, The Cooperative Program. I have a vision that every gathering of our BSCM family’s, whether great or small would fully realize that we can do more together than we can alone. I may be aging, as are many of our churches and congregants, but that does not mean we are done. We may not be as quick or as agile as we once were, but that is no excuse not to stay in the fight. Paul kept proclaiming until the very end, “I have fought the good fight.” He kept swinging, fighting and punching like the prophetic pugilist he was until the very last blow. Age is not a limitation, it is just a number. Now is not the time to quit, but to continue the fight with greater purpose. Now is the time to “Punch Holes In The Darkness.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim Patterson is Executive Director/Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Elected unanimously in May of 2015, Patterson formerly served for 9 years as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served as trustee chair and national mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. #OCTOBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – My stomach tightened as I peeked around the doorframe of the middle school gymnasium from the hallway. The bleachers were filling-up with guys wildly talking and punching one another in the shoulders. There was an excitement as guys yelled to one another about what position they were going to play on the seventh grade football team. I paused. I felt the cool steel and rough brick of the door frame and wall as I imagined myself disappearing into nothingness. I did not know the names of the positions on the field. The pit of my stomach stirred. I felt like an idiot, a zero, again. It was an all too familiar seventh grade kind of feeling for me. It was the end of an autumn school day. Behind me, other students were rushing to the line of yellow buses outside preparing to deliver students to their homes. I had to make a decision. That morning I told my mother, “Mom, I’m going to join an intramural football team at school this year. Will you come pick me up? We’re having a meeting. The teachers who coach will be choosing teams.” My mother replied with a look of shock in her eyes then added her typical, reliable support, “Sure honey, I can do that. It’s good that you’re joining a team. What time and where? I can keep the car after I drop Dad off at work at the shop.” Replaying that conversation in my mind, I calculated that if I got on the bus that I would arrive home before my mother left the house to pick me up at school; so, I turned down the hallway toward the school’s exit, fell into stream of departing students, and silently settled into my familiar bus seat in solitude. The deep sadness calmed my sick stomach. When I appeared in the doorway, at home, my mother was shocked and saddened; but, she intentionally raised her voice to a happy tone to lift my spirits, “I’m glad you’re home, honey. You don’t have to join a team. We’re your team. Come on in here and relax.” Nothing further was spoken about that day back in 1970 something until now. Today, I hear some of the most effective churches say something like, “Get out of rows and get into circles.” Another says, “You grow best when you share life in community with others.” I agree with them, but I wonder does anyone find it as hard to join a small group or a team like I did as a seventh grader? If so, do church leaders work as hard at including people in small groups as they do at increasing the crowd for worship? How does a person snuggled in his or her blanket of solitude get untangled and enter a small group? What needs to happen? During eighth grade, I entered that same gymnasium. The sounds and the scene were similar to the prior year. I was determined to conquer whatever frightened me back into obscurity the previous year. No one helped me. It was a scary experience. My stomach was sick. I had moments of panic; but, I remained there during the entire initial meeting and selection. None of the coaches knew me. I was the proverbial last pick on Coach Thompson’s team. When the football gear was given out, I was handed the baggiest pants and the oldest pads. Those thoughtless gestures said, “You’re not important. You won’t last.” Nevertheless, my personal resolve kept me going to practice and waiting to play. Weeks later, Coach Thompson’s team had the worst record. I heard the other teachers-turned-afternoon-coaches tease Thompson mercilessly during school hours; so, Coach Thompson let our team know what he thought of us. He did not hold back. The team understood he was not only angry; he was disgusted with us. He ran us through drills reassigning players into different positions. He tore us down as a team and as individuals. One afternoon, Thompson screamed, “I’m looking for a defensive nose tackle who is not afraid of contact! Someone who will go after the ball!” Thompson lined up our five best offensive linemen and directed the center to snap the ball to him. The rest of the team lined up single file facing the offensive linemen with Thompson behind receiving the snap. One after another, each of my teammates was stopped from getting to Thompson. He told us what he thought about our pathetic efforts. When it came time for me to line up face-to-face with the center, I was brewing with anger. I went into a down position getting as low as I could. I pulled back my right arm estimating the path of my palms going under the center’s shoulder pads so I could lift him out of my way then lunge at my coach’s legs. I wanted to silence the Coach’s outbursts. I think the offensive line underestimated me, or they may have been exhausted repeatedly going through the drill. When the ball was snapped, I snapped. The moves came just as I had imagined. The only surprise was that I felt a warm burning sensation in the palm of my right hand as my hand was deeply sliced open by a rivet on the center’s shoulder pad. To this day, I remember that astonishing moment when I smeared my bloody hand across the chest of my practice jersey and the coach grabbed me by my facemask, then guided me around in circles like a dog on a leash and yelled into my face, “I found my nose tackle. I found my nose tackle!” My teammates patted me on the back repeating over and over that afternoon, “Good job, Lynn.” The dark storm with our coach was over. It was a significant turning point in my life. I am not the guy who defines himself by a sport, though I enjoyed playing football. I was never the outstanding star. I simply took part in a football community where for a few years I learned more about myself and the value of a team. So, what are some take-aways from this memory? Churches need to intentionally make joining groups easier on shy, frightened people like me when I was in seventh grade. Groups can be a place of tension and stress, however people can discover greater strength when overcoming challenges even within a group. Spectators at a football game do not invest in a game as deeply as the players and coaches who practice, workout, live as a team and strive for excellence. There is something wonderful about getting out of the rows and getting into circles. Community is better experienced in small groups, genuine friendships and even in the stress of life as long as you have company in the midst of those tough times. Join-up. Go deeper. Share life. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #OCTOBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – Her story was gripping. The country where she was born and raised had entered into a crisis that continues to this day. She was near the end of studies in college and facing forced service in the military - a situation that for her was untenable. This woman in her early 20’s told how she waited for the right moment and fled - fled everything for Argentina with only $300 in her pockets. I was moved by the inner strength she possessed to make such a courageous decision. Her words only faltered when she shared how difficult it was to leave her family, especially her mother behind. She started her new life. Starting over in a new country is filled with challenges, but she was thriving in her adopted homeland. She was doing so well that she managed to save enough money to get her mother to move in with her. Her new life was taking shape, but things started to change after a chance encounter on a bus. She met a man who offered her a job. It sounded interesting so she shared her resume and contact information with him. A pleasant first encounter quickly turned sour. The phone calls started immediately, and grew in frequency and intensity. He started to stalk her and followed her on the bus to work. She realized that she had made an incredible mistake. As she shared, my mind feared that the story was heading toward human trafficking. She knew her situation was precarious, and made the decision to flee again. She got on the metro and waited until the last possible moment. She stepped out and the door closed before he could follow. We met her in Mexico, just across the Texas border. She has a valid passport and is following the process to present her case to legally immigrate to the United States. Her story was riveting to hear. Two things stood out to me as she shared. First, this intelligent, courageous, and hard working woman will be an incredible addition to any country that accepts her. Second, I am extremely grateful to the brothers and sisters in Christ in the River Ministry who are meeting needs in the name of Christ. Bob Wood, Sue Hodnett, David Roberts and I were able to see the River Ministry firsthand during a vision tour in the border town of McAllen, Texas. Because the River Ministry missionaries were gathering for their annual meeting, we were able to meet them and hear about their work. We were inspired by their passion, dedication, and creativity to serve people and share Christ. Doctors, dentists, pastors, church planters, and others shared how lives were being touched by Christ. About our time in Texas, Sue Hodnett shares: “The needs are so great and opportunities to minister are limitless. It was enlightening to see that it is possible to make a difference in the lives of these families seeking refuge. From the news stories reported, it seemed as if coming to help would be met with great difficulties and challenges. I don’t see that as the case. There are many pipelines to serving, and it is a very organized ministry.” Bob Wood writes, “The ministry at Senda la Vida stands out to me. The director left a profitable job in Plano, Texas, and returned to Mexico to minister to the needs of migrants. Senda la Vida has a compound where they provide a clean and safe place to live and sleep, regular meals, and a daily worship service where they can hear the Gospel. They minister to people in transition who have nowhere to live, but on the streets. There are many who are awaiting immigration hearings in the U.S., or who have been deported from the U.S. While we were there, we met people from Venezuela, Cuba, and Central America. David Roberts challenges Michigan Baptists to: “Pray about whether God would want you to be on a team going down there to do things such as medical clinics, feeding ministry, first aid training, evangelism, construction, VBS, sports camps, church leadership training, etc. Consider whether you would go together as a group from your church, association, or go with a group made up of Baptists from all over Michigan. There is a huge need there providing almost limitless opportunities for service. Texas Baptists desire for us to serve alongside them, to learn from each other so that, by working together, God will open doors and amplify and multiply the work He is already doing there.” I am grateful that this team and I had the opportunity to see this incredible ministry and the needs. There are multiple ways Michigan Baptists can serve Christ through the River Ministry. Two areas stood out to me; the Colonias and the shelters. Colonias are communities, often on the edge of cities, where hundreds and sometimes thousands of people live. As we drove by row after row of houses, the need for churches to proclaim the Gospel was obvious. Numerous opportunities exist for Michigan Baptists to partner with church planters as they start new churches, and with pastors to strengthen existing churches. The shelters or Respite Centers meet the needs of people in transition. We discovered many ways for mission teams to make a difference: Family festivals, job training, soccer tournaments, crafts, and worship services. The opportunities are endless. If your church is looking for a great place to serve people and share Christ, contact any member of our team. This is an excellent mission opportunity and is part of our partnership with Texas Baptists. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #OCTOBER19

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES – This August, the International Mission Board signed a historic covenant with One Sending Body, the sending entity of the five Southern Baptist conventions in the Philippines. The agreement forges an official partnership between the two missionary-sending organizations and facilitates teaming between Filipino and IMB missionaries to advance the gospel. The covenant was signed by IMB Executive Vice President Todd Lafferty and Vice President of Global Engagement John Brady during the Fourth National Congress for Global Missions, which took place from August 13 to 15 on the island of Bohol in the southern part of the Philippines. “Our vision is that we would strive together for the sake of the gospel to the ends of the earth,” Lafferty said of the agreement. “I hope to see dozens of Filipinos called to missions and partner with our teams to share the gospel, make disciples, plant churches, and train leaders.” One Sending Body Two hundred pastors and church leaders from the five Filipino Baptist conventions gathered at the congress. The Filipino conventions established One Sending Body in 2008, and IMB missionary Steve Hagen said that OSB currently has 21 missionaries serving in other countries. “Some of these have done remarkably well. However, many have struggled, often because they were not connected to a receiving team,” Hagen said. “Sometimes they became frustrated by joining teams who didn’t share their beliefs. Sometimes they couldn’t find any partners and floundered.” At OSB’s request, Hagen began consulting with their board of directors. “As the relationship developed, I saw more and more potential for how God can use Filipinos around the world,” Hagen said. Hagen also heard from IMB colleagues who had pressing needs for more teammates to join them in the missions task. Hagen knew there must be a way to connect the OSB missionaries with the IMB teams who needed them. As it turns out, IMB leaders were pursuing partnerships just like this one. Teaming and training together Representatives from both organizations have acknowledged how their combined strengths can advance the gospel, and they are eager to work together in the new partnership. Among the action points detailed in the covenant, Filipino missionaries will be commissioned to serve alongside IMB workers as seconded team members. IMB missionary teams are prepared to receive Filipino missionaries. The first missionary training program is scheduled for April 2020. IMB will partner with OMB in training the Filipino missionaries, but their funds will come from various other sources, including the five Filipino Baptist conventions. Some of the Filipino missionaries will raise or earn their own support. Southern Baptists in the United States will soon be able to help support our Filipino partners through special-gift funds. The IMB is actively exploring how churches in the United States can be a part of the missions-sending process with OSB. Future U.S. church partnerships could include offering advice, coaching churches and pastors, or providing financial support in a manner that does not result in financial dependency. Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, has already committed to partnering with OSB, and Brentwood’s missions pastor, Scott Harris, helped lead a session during the congress on how best to mobilize the local church. Mobilizing the Filipino church While there are many geographical areas and isolated people groups in the Philippines still in need of the gospel, there is also a thriving national church, Hagen said. He believes the Filipino churches are well-equipped to take on Scriptural challenges to share the gospel with those who’ve yet to hear it. “There is great potential for the Philippines to be an influential sending nation,” Hagen said. “Not only is there a strong national church, Filipinos are incredibly adaptable and amiable; able to fit in and get along in situations where many cannot, with an unparalleled passion for serving others. “Filipinos have the capacity to be a powerful force for sending to Southeast Asia and around the world.” A good culture fit Although the island nation is largely Catholic, IMB missionary Tyrel Kilkenny* said Filipinos share more similarities with evangelical Christians than Asians of other faiths like Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam do. “Their indigenous manifestation of Christianity is more similar culturally to the West in many ways and enables them to relate more easily to Western team members, but they also have an underlying worldview that can [help them] understand and relate more easily than Westerners to the cultures they seek to reach,” Kilkenny said. Kilkenny said Filipinos have multiple cultural influences that have influenced their country, and this positions them to be excellent cross-cultural witnesses. “They are clearly Asian and therefore relate naturally to other Asians, but their culture has over 300 years of Spanish influence with a heavy dose of America as well,” Kilkenny said. “This makes it more natural for them to adapt and relate to both Western and Eastern cultures. Their Asian features enable them to blend in more easily in multiple cultures.” Filipinos’ high proficiency in English – one of the nation’s official languages – enables them to communicate with a broad spectrum of people, especially since English is considered a default language in many countries. Filipinos grow up in multi-lingual environments and learn multiple languages. It’s estimated there are somewhere between 120 to 187 languages in the Philippines. “While it doesn’t make it easy, it is a more natural expectation [for Filipinos] that other languages can and need to be learned,” Kilkenny said. A Filipino future Pastor Jimmy Fundar, President of OSB, led a session at the congress on missions history and the current challenges facing the OSB and Baptists globally. Fundar and his co-leaders in the session, Jess Jennings and Hagen, both IMB leaders in Asia, believe missions history is on the cusp of greatness, and they are confident the Lord will use Filipinos to advance the gospel. Attendees at the congress also participated in a prayer-walking experience led by IMB missionary Nita Kilkenny.* Our Filipino brothers and sisters wept over those who have yet to receive the gospel. Shane Saludez, an OSB missionary in Thailand, Brady, and Lafferty led evening sessions at the congress. On the last evening, six young adults made commitments to serve in unreached areas. One woman is already participating in her first trip to an unengaged, unreached people group in the Philippines with IMB personnel in preparation for longer overseas service. “We believe God is going to use Filipinos and this partnership in mighty ways, for his glory,” Hagen said. * Name changed ABOUT THE AUTHOR Caroline Anderson is a writer with the IMB. She currently lives in Southeast Asia. Her childhood in Asia consisted of two important ingredients: braving hot chili peppers and telling people about Jesus. #SEPTEMBER19

SWARTZ CREEK, MI – “It was sad. One day you go from pulling into a parking lot where nobody knows where to go, to “Oh, you can sit anywhere you want.” When Jimmie Nelson first visited First Baptist Church of Swartz Creek in the late 70’s, there were hundreds showing up on Sunday. But several years later, the church was barely keeping the doors open. It’s the story of many Southern Baptist churches, plateaued or in decline. Scores of churches across North America close for good every week. The low point at First Baptist was when God began to call Jimmie Nelson to pastor the church. It was the high point in Nelson’s personal life. Larry Gatlin wanted him to move to Nashville and write songs for him. To hear more about the Comeback Story of First Baptist Swartz Creek, click here for a podcast about their journey. Swartz Creek is one of three stories of churches that came back from a low point. It’s part of the emphasis of the Frances Brown State Mission Offering. This year’s goal is $100,000, and a portion of the offering will go to strengthening churches like First Baptist. The week of prayer for the offering is September 8th-15th. For more information and resources, go to bscm.org/smo. #SEPTEMBER19

WATERFORD, MI – Summer in Michigan doesn’t last long, so we have to make the most of it. Summer offers many opportunities to connect with neighbors and have warm conversations that the cooler months do not. At Transformation Church our vision is to see lives transformed by the Gospel, and with that in mind we decided to leverage our Summer to that end. Our town, Waterford, has close to 75,000 people and very few Gospel-centered churches. We believe that God deeply loves Waterford and is doing something about that. Over the Summer, God gave us many opportunities to join Him where He is already working through what we called “Mission Weeks.” With the help of 4 out-of-state mission teams, we blitzed our community with the Good News of Jesus in hand and in heart. Over 3 weeks we knocked on close to 1000 doors and had many productive conversations about Jesus and His church. We were able to serve our community through a free car wash, washing 40 cars and 2 bicycles. People insisted that we take their money, but our firm “no” gave us the opportunity to share about God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus. God also gave us the opportunity to connect with 166 of our neighbors (non-TC) through a Community Block Party. It was amazing to connect with people that we had not yet met but have been praying for. While the canvassing and big events were awesome, they were not my favorite part of the summer. During our mission weeks, we engaged in 4-yard clean-ups for neighbors who can no longer do the work themselves. Each neighbor and home were different, but each were overwhelmed by a local church that they do not attend coming to do yard projects that they have watched grow more intimidating over the years. My favorite clean-up was for a lady who is slowly but surely losing her sight, having to read her mail with a magnifying glass. When we arrived, she met us on the front steps with tears running down her face. She apologized for her emotion. One of our team members replied, “It’s okay, we like to see people cry.” That may sound cruel, but it is true. What a blessing it is to have a front row seat to God’s work in people’s lives. Over the next few hours, we cut grass, trimmed shrubs, and cleaned gutters. A few of our ladies even helped sort through her kitchen, checking expiration dates that she can no longer see. When we first arrived, this lady admitted that she doesn’t believe that the Bible is God’s Word, but by the time we left she was open to having a conversation about Jesus and voiced a desire to investigate church. God was at work and His is the glory. Her heart was softened and the tears running down her face told the story. This is why we like to see people cry. With Summer winding down and Fall on the horizon, we have a new season to leverage. With the fall season comes different opportunities to engage our community with the Good News of Jesus. Church fellowships, bonfires, skate nights, and community trunk-r-treats. Please pray for us as we strive to see lives transformed by the Gospel. And, what do you know, we may even get to see more people cry. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Seth Springs. Waterford, MI. Transformation Church. Church Planter and Pastor. Wife Taylor and two daughters, Layla and Lily Joy. #SEPTEMBER19

DURHAM, NC (BP) – For several years now, I have been greatly burdened by the declining number of baptisms across the Southern Baptist Convention. I believe the baptism numbers serve as one of the best indicators of evangelism in our churches. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and that means that proclaiming the Gospel is the core of who we are -- not only as Southern Baptists, but most importantly, as disciples of Jesus Christ. That's why I'm challenging every Southern Baptist church to call for baptisms in services on Sept. 8th, the date our SBC Executive Committee has designated as "Baptism Day" on the SBC Calendar. Baptism Sunday will be an opportunity for thousands of people in our churches to take their step of obedience and faith. Many of them already know they should be baptized, and you can schedule baptism celebrations in advance. Other people in your churches may decide on Sept. 8th that God is calling them to those same baptismal waters. I know that conversations about immediate-response baptism services tend to draw some objections, many of which are grounded in healthy concern about encouraging insincere professions of faith. Trust me, I understand the concerns: I have seen dangerous and irresponsible calls for spontaneous baptisms. God forbid that we ever declare someone "saved" when they aren't. Not only does this give them false assurance, but it also makes them that much more immune to future calls to repent and believe. Our fear of extending these invitations wrongly, though, should never make us shy away from making the invitations at all. After all, every single baptism recorded in the New Testament, without exception, is spontaneous and immediate. For New Testament believers, the pattern was alarmingly simple: Believe, confess, get baptized. There was never a gap between when a person trusted Christ and when that person was baptized. Not one. This follows the example of Jesus' Great Commission: "Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a believer's first act of discipleship, a step of obedience that stands as a witness that we belong to Christ. Baptism is like the wedding ring of salvation. I put on my wedding ring at the moment I decided to publicly declare my commitment to my wife. Putting on the ring did not make me married. I am no more married when I wear my ring than when I don't. But the demonstration of my commitment to my wife that the ring represents was a crucial first step in marriage. Had I refused to do it, my wife would have had reason to question my intentions. In the same way, baptism is an outward symbol of an inward covenant we've made in response to Jesus' offer of salvation. Every one of our churches ought to do everything in its power to ensure that everyone who comes forward to be baptized understands the Gospel and the significance of what they are doing. Just because the decision is more immediate doesn't mean it should be hasty or sloppy. During baptism services at our church, for instance, we individually counsel every person who comes forward. Those conversations take time -- often extending into the next service -- and we always end up turning some people away. But that moment is important, because it starts a conversation about what it means to follow Jesus. Baptism is of tremendous importance, but we need to keep the biblical order in mind: Baptism is the catalyst to spiritual maturity, not the sign of having attained it. When we invite people to be baptized, we are calling them to make a decision. That's exactly what so many of our people need. They come to our churches as consumers, going along with Jesus but never deciding for Him. This is personal for me. My dad became a Christian because he responded to an invitation in the middle of a church service. During the worship service, he didn't think he needed to change. He thought everything was fine. But then one day the pastor called for a decision. It was one of those traditional invitations, too -- the kind where they sing 58 stanzas of "Just As I Am." Well, for my dad, that was the moment the Holy Spirit came after him. He knew in that moment that he had to make a decision. When he let go of the pew and walked forward, his life changed. Several years ago, our church chose to hold our first baptism service after we noticed the biblical pattern of spontaneous baptisms while preaching through a series in the book of Acts. Starting with that service, we saw three times more people choose to be baptized that year than we'd ever seen! I believe that's because our church had been faithful in sharing the Gospel, and we chose to be faithful in calling for a response to that good news. I've been encouraged by the many stories of faithful evangelism in our denomination through initiatives like "Who's Your One," and I believe God is preparing a harvest of souls. Let's faithfully call them to respond by publicly declaring faith through baptism! For resources, go to namb.net/baptism-sunday-resources/. ABOUT THE AUTHOR J.D. Greear is president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of The Summit Church in the Raleigh-Durham, NC, area. #SEPTEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – If you already read my column “Register to Ramp-It-Up” you can skip down to paragraph number two. Inspiring generosity increases when people see their personal contributions solve big problems. Helping others see the epic influence of financial contributions through the local church has never been as easy as it is now. Vibrant images and dramatic stories can be shared within the church community from sources around the world. When people see giving at the local church helps others over the globe generosity increases, locally and globally. People will connect their personal debit cards and checking accounts to the good deeds of God’s Kingdom when they see meaningful causes in real-time that tug at their hearts and minds. Generosity Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 11 - Click to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening Clear Giving is better when people know why they are asked to contribute. When people understand funds are used in meaningful ways in their local church, their region and throughout the world they become enthusiastic investment partners. During September’s meetings on “Generosity” I will highlight some of the seven easy-to-find and easy-to-use videos, images and stories that will inspire generous giving. I will explain how others are using these resources to bring-up the passion for giving within their congregations. If the church, you attend or lead, contributes to any of the following offerings there are many ways to inspire generosity: Cooperative Program International Missions Offering North American Missions Offering State Missions Offering World Hunger Offering Local association of churches Baptist Global Response Convenient Generosity in the church is better when it is convenient. Have you noticed that people pay more often with debit cards? Cash and checkbooks are rarely seen at the stores, restaurants and gas stations. Is it possible those participating in your church have funds in the bank account, but cannot easily access their funds? There are services and smartphone apps that make church contributions convenient. Seventy percent of all Americans now own smartphones. Banks will set-up regular contributions transferring funds from a checking account to a church’s account with the account owner’s instructions. Are you offering multiple pathways to give? Celebrated The power of sincere gratitude is just as overwhelming as it has ever been. Hosting an annual “Generosity Banquet” or highlighting the impact of generosity, one or two times a month, from the podium will create a culture of generosity in the church. The annual or regular celebrations could catapult people’s hearts toward greater charity for future endeavors within the church. Imagine a wife and mother expressing her gratitude to the congregation by saying, “I want to thank you for babysitting my two children after school until I returned home from work for six weeks and for paying our month’s utility bills while my husband recovered from an injury sustained at work.” Or envision the impact of the people who were baptized the previous year standing shoulder-to-shoulder before the congregation. There are many ways to display the outcomes of regular giving within a faith-community. Please, click on the link above to register for a morning or evening discussion on “Generosity” on September 11. There is much more to discuss. On 9/11, I will point you toward helpful resources that will help you go further with those around you serving the Lord. By the time you finish our one-hour, online discussion you will have some personalized action steps for your church and its future. If you have questions about the ZOOM.US meeting you may call my ministry assistant, Andrew Parsons, Monday through Thursday during normal business hours at (810) 714-1907 or send Andrew an email at andrew@bscm.org – see you online in September. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #SEPTEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – If you already read my column “Register to Ramp-It-Up” you can skip down to paragraph number two. Some churches look like cruise ships with something for everyone: entertainment shows, casinos, 24-hour restaurants, pools, personal-massages, deckchairs, gyms, shoreline tours, something for everyone and everyone doing their own thing. However, the most effective churches permit activities, spending and people’s time to be invested in the narrow, well-expressed mission focus of the church. Shouldn’t churches be more designed as rescue watercraft that cruise waterways with well-trained crews ready to save lives? Intensifying mission focus is about less not more. I observe the most effective ministries achieving more with less. Less words. Less calendared activities. Less busyness. More intensity. More precision with their resources. More depth achieved by sharpening the tip of the mission focus. Mission Focus Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 25 – CLICK to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening As a teenager, I received a set of bow and arrows as a gift. Three of the arrows had blunted tips made of soft rubber. They were intended as starter arrows. They did not penetrate wood or straw bales. They simply made a thud sound then dropped to the ground after they hit the intended surface. As you can already imagine my friends and I enjoyed shooting the blunted tipped arrows at one another. We knew that was not the intended purpose of the rubber tipped arrows. Paper notices within the packaging warned us not to shoot at others. Yet, can you envision the difference if we would have shot the sharpened, metal tipped arrows at one another? Those arrows flew well, they hit the intended targets and they penetrated deep into the surface. Isn’t that what we desire of our churches’ mission focus. Wouldn’t it do the members of your church and you well to see the mission focus penetrating the community and the lives of yet unbelieving people around you? We do not want to see people hurt with arrows jutting out of their flesh, but you would love to see the transforming power of the good news of Christ change lives. In the past, church ministries have become chronically weakened by striving unsuccessfully to completely fill-out two popular templates for church. First, some believe every church must be like the other churches within the community. Every congregation must offer an incredible ministry when it comes to five areas: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. Programs are set-up that stumble along because there are too few and poorly trained servants trying to fill the gap and feeling guilty for failing in their tasks. That goal is simply not reasonable nor encouraging. Second, some churches believe the best way to grow a church is to please every age group by thinly spreading out the resources of people, calendar dates, facilities and funds so that no one is left out. Every ministry receives a meager portion. However, those churches, in both cases, come to realize that their mission focus is too broad, too dull and too soft. There is no real spiritual penetration in the lives of early believers and the spiritually lost in the community. Spreading the church too thin creates a thud, and everything becomes mundane with no anticipation of anything great happening. You can prepare to discuss more on this subject, on September 25, by reflecting on a couple of questions. What are the strengths within the people who are in the church? What are the real, obvious needs of those around you? What will it take and who needs to be involved to transform the most immediate need within your larger community? Today, there is a healthy way to look at your church’s future. We will talk with you about these healthy elements on September 25 at 9 AM or 9 PM. Please, click on the link above to register for a morning or evening discussion on “Mission Focus Intensified.” There is much more to discuss. I will point you toward helpful resources that will help you go further with those around you serving the Lord. By the time you finish our one-hour, online discussion you will have some personalized action steps for your church and its future. If you have questions about the ZOOM.US meeting you may call my ministry assistant, Andrew Parsons, Monday through Thursday during normal business hours at (810) 714-1907 or send Andrew an email at andrew@bscm.org – see you online in September. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #SEPTEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – If you already read my column “Register to Ramp-It-Up” you can skip down to paragraph number two. Increasing volunteerism is about raising the bar, not lowering it. There are two ways to enlist volunteers. Sadly, too many volunteers are enlisted with the following discouraging words, “Would you fill this spot for us? Anyone can do it. There is little to no preparation. If you don’t do it, we won’t have anyone else to ask. In fact, we just may quit doing it. I need a quick answer. What do you say?” A better invitation to help sounds like this, “I’ve been meeting and praying with others over a role in the church that impacts people’s lives. You came to our minds. I would love to sit down with you at a convenient time for you. I would like to describe the value of this ministry. I want to invite you to dream with us about the possible outcomes. I want you to know why we believe you’re a great fit for the role. I will give you time to reflect and pray over the invitation after our conversation. We will orient and train you for this important ministry if you agree to serve. When may I meet with you?” Volunteer Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 18 – Click to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening After I served in my first church as a pastor, I implemented what I thought was a very helpful practice in subsequent churches. Except for very few roles, it was stated that volunteer service was for a one-year term. People often think that enlistment to a volunteer role is for a lifetime because many churches do not train-up new leaders and allow people to serve in one role for decades. Recently, a pastor from a very effective and large church in the south explained that even the elders of the church where he leads, are annually elected to 7-consecutive-renewable-terms-of-service. Meaning that each year, no one assumes continual service. I like his idea and wish I would have implemented that one, too. Some refer to this annual habit as clearing the board. I like to think of it as helping people to find their most effective place of service. This practice allows ineffective leaders to be set aside after one-year of trying without success. It also allows faithful servants to exit gracefully when life’s demands create conditions where someone needs to step away from a role or ministry. Before you think of me as harsh, keep in mind that an ineffective volunteer hurts just those she is not leading effectively, she hurts herself by not finding her correct place of service, and she keeps the effective leader away from the role she should rightfully hold. Here is my checklist I work through when I consider enlisting others to serve through the church. These six topics will be a part of our discussion on September 18 at 9 AM or 9 PM. Character Is the person trustworthy and honorable in all that they do in life? Does this person display consistent, godly attitudes during the rough times of life? Does this person bring out the best or worst in others? Calling When this person speaks about their life outside of church, do I get the sense they are on mission with God at work, in their neighborhood and among friends? Is there a fire in their belly to serve the Lord? Competency Am I comfortable enlisting humble people who are willing to learn? Churches fail many volunteers by not orienting them or training them to serve. Does your church provide training for teachers, caregivers, and financial leaders? A church who has difficulty enlisting volunteers is usually weak at training, supervising and thanking their volunteers. Commitment Does the person I am considering have a proven track record of finishing well in whatever they undertake? Do I get the sense they serve others to benefit others or do alarm bells go-off and it appears this person is more interested in making a name for themselves? I need to be convinced the person serves to bring glory to God. Chemistry Often things come down to the simplicity of kindergarten. Does the person I think will make an effective volunteer, play and work well with others? At gatherings, do people surround them and seek out their company and conversation? If so, that person will be an effective influence. Confirmation Before I call someone to have a conversation about service in church, I ask two or three trusted advisors what they think of the person. I ask them, “Would you enjoy working with them?” I look them in the eye and say, “Is there anything I should know about the person before we entrust them with a ministry role in the church?” If you want to learn more about increasing volunteers, please click on the link above to register for a morning or evening discussion on “Volunteers Increased” on September 18. There is much more to discuss. On 9/18, I will point you toward helpful resources that will help you go further. By the time you finish our one-hour, online discussion you will have some personalized action steps for your church and its future. If you have questions about the ZOOM.US meeting you may call my ministry assistant, Andrew Parsons, Monday through Thursday during normal business hours at (810) 714-1907 or send Andrew an email at andrew@bscm.org – see you online in September. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #SEPTEMBER19

PLYMOUTH, MI – Summer is over, and it is time to return to the routine, or is it? Would you like to ramp things up at the church? Would you enjoy seeing some positive changes this next season? Generous contributors? More volunteers? Aspirations turned into actions? Three articles in this issue of the Baptist Beacon may help rev-up the future, and three invitations to which you should respond quickly, may offer some practical solutions. Please, locate the links to September Baptist Beacon articles and register for September’s online meetings if you want to ramp things up at church. Reading the following three articles will offer a glimpse of September’s online meetings: Generosity Inspired Volunteers Increased Mission Focus Intensified Register below for a time slot of these convenient online meetings. The morning and evening meeting are identical, so you need only to register for one time slot for each subject: generosity, volunteer and mission focus. Invite your church leaders to join the meeting too. Select the time slot that best fits your schedule. During the one-hour, online meeting you will create your customized action steps that will help you collaborate with others in your context. Generosity Inspiring generosity increases when people see their personal contributions solve big problems. Helping others see the epic influence of financial contributions through the local church has never been as easy as it is now. Vibrant images and dramatic stories can be shared within the church community from sources around the world. When people see giving at the local church helps others over the globe, generosity increases, locally and globally. People will connect their personal debit cards and checking accounts to the good deeds of God’s Kingdom when they see meaningful causes in real-time that tug at their hearts and minds. Generosity Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 11 – Click to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening Volunteers Increasing volunteerism is about raising the bar, not lowering it. There are two ways to enlist volunteers. Sadly, too many volunteers are enlisted with the following discouraging words, “Would you fill this spot for us? Anyone can do it. There is little to no preparation. If you don’t do it, we won’t have anyone else to ask. In fact, we just may quit doing it. I need a quick answer. What do you say?” A better invitation to help sounds like this, “I’ve been meeting and praying with others over a role in the church that impacts people’s lives. You came to our minds. I would love to sit down with you at a convenient time for you. I would like to describe the value of this ministry. I want to invite you to dream with us about the possible outcomes. I want you to know why we believe you’re a great fit for the role. I will give you time to reflect and pray over the invitation after our conversation. We will orient and train you for this important ministry if you agree to serve. When may I meet with you?” Volunteer Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 18 – Click to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening Mission Focus Some churches look like cruise ships with something for everyone: entertainment shows, casinos, 24-hour restaurants, pools, personal-massages, deckchairs, gyms, shoreline tours, something for everyone and everyone doing their own thing. However, the most effective churches permit activities, spending and people’s time to be invested in the narrow, well-expressed mission focus of the church. Shouldn’t churches be more designed as rescue watercraft that cruise waterways with well-trained crews ready to save lives? Intensifying mission focus is about less not more. I observe the most effective ministries achieving more with less. Less words. Less calendared activities. Less busyness. More intensity. More precision with their resources. More depth achieved by sharpening the tip of the mission focus. Mission Focus Zoom Discussion Registration Wednesday, September 25 – Click to REGISTER for one time slot 9-10 AM Morning 9-10 PM Evening I look forward to seeing your face and hearing your voice on my laptop during September’s upcoming, online LIVE meetings where we will interact with others from around the region. If you have questions about the ZOOM.US meeting you may call my ministry assistant, Andrew Parsons, Monday through Thursday during normal business hours at (810) 714-1907 or send Andrew an email at andrew@bscm.org – he is resourceful and helpful. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #SEPTEMBER19