Three Ways to Help Protect Your Church or Ministry Against Cyberattacks

By John Murphy We can’t seem to go a single week without hearing about a new cyberattack or ransomware campaign affecting the information of millions. Yet, we rarely hear about churches and other nonprofits being impacted — but that is not the case. Cybersecurity statistics from 2019 indicate 43% of all cyberattacks target ministries, nonprofits and small organizations.  If you combine …

Panel Discussion on Race

A few weeks ago, the Pillar Network hosted their annual Unite Conference featuring a Panel on Race and the Future of the GCB. B21’s Executive Director, Nate Akin, guided the discussion which included the following panelists: Dr. Danny Akin, President of SEBTS Dr. Alex DiPrima, Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church Eric Bancroft, Lead Pastor at Grace Church Miami Prof. William …

Pillar Network Adopts GCB Branding

Last Thursday, the Pillar Network, a group of ~130 SBC churches known for helping local churches plant/revitalize, announced they were embracing the Great Commission Baptists name for all official communications. Pillar is an organization that partners with Baptist21 from time to time for content/events. While Pillar has a few member churches abroad, the vast majority of their ~130 congregations are …

Why Study Church History?

By Andrew Davis I love church history! I delight in immersing myself in the world of brothers and sisters in Christ from different eras of history and in different cultures from mine. I love to see how they acted so boldly and courageously for the glory of Christ. I thrill to read how firmly they stood against persecutors, or how …

B21 Podcast: Should We Use the Name “Great Commission Baptists”?

In 2012, the SBC voted to allow member churches and other entities to synonymously use the name “Great Commission Baptists” in place of the moniker “Southern Baptists”. In more recent days, the GCB brand has been gaining steam with numerous past and present SBC leaders showing their support. In our most recent episode of the B21 Podcast, we discuss this …

B21 Podcast: Interview with Scott Charbonneau

In our most recent interview, B21’s Nate Akin had an opportunity to discuss various health topics pertinent to pastors with Guidestone’s Scott Charbonneau. To assist our listeners in some of the finer points related to this field, Guidestone has graciously provided an informational handout which breaks down navigating health coverage into 5 simple steps. This document and the link to …

Being Baptist in the 21st Century: Two Offices: Pastors & Deacons

Understanding the leadership structure presented in the New Testament is critical for healthy church functioning. To explore this topic, we have links to our two-part podcast on this topic, along with an article listed below. By Matt Diaz It’s popular in our day to take business maxims and apply them to the work of the church. While a whole host …

Four Ways You Can Participate in Mission:Dignity Sunday Help Provide Peace to Retired Ministers and Widows During COVID-19 Uncertainty

By Aaron Meraz “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  2020 has had what feels to be more than its share of trouble. Through Christ, though, we are able to view suffering and affliction as opportunities for increased gospel advancement and grace giving.  Here at GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity® ministry, we have the opportunity …

Why Should We Remain in the SBC?

By Jonathan Woodyard The departure of well-known Christians and churches from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) tends to make the headlines. Recently a prominent pastor, one from whom I have benefited personally, led his church to leave voluntary cooperation with the SBC.  There are legitimate concerns with the state of our convention. The SBC is declining numerically, and baptisms are down. The reasons for the …

Being Baptist in the 21st Century: Church Discipline

By Dr. Josh Wredberg PODCASTS: ARTICLE:             What comes to your mind when you hear the words church discipline? Maybe you picture a scene from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter of Hester Prynne slinking down the sidewalks with a large, red “A” embroidered on her chest. Or maybe you envision the torture and death that was part of the Inquisition centuries ago. Many of the …