By Dr. Jonathan SixTheological education is at a point of transition. Some have even called it a crisis. Delivery methods have changed, educational approaches are ever evolving, and seminaries and divinity schools find themselves in some of the most challenging days. In addition to the rise of online learning, the general reluctance for traditional educational practices creates intimidating challenges for …
By Dr. Aaron Meraz, Director of Mission:Dignity, a ministry of GuideStoneWe are on a Mission to provide Dignity to retirement-aged Southern Baptist ministers, workers and their widows — the dignity that comes with knowing they’ve served the Lord faithfully and can pay their bills at the end of the month. Michael and Sandra Dowling have served the Lord together for …
By Seth Hawkins Whether you’re breaking bread with new neighbors, celebrating a joyous occasion or lamenting grief with a trusted friend, what makes a house a home is the people coming in and out of its doors. So it is with vocational ministry; it may begin inside the church building, but ministry often extends to and through the walls of …
By Nate Akin February 10, 2021, I posted a twitter thread about “pastors/complementarianism” due to the amount of conversation I was observing on Social Media (SM) around the topic. This thread preceded both SBC 2021, SBC 2022, and the whole dust up with Rick Warren including the revelation that he was ordaining women as “pastors” but not “elders.” Almost two years later, …
By Dr. Mark Dance, GuideStone Director of Pastoral Wellness After pastoring in a fog of clinical depression for several months, I came very close to walking away from the church I was pastoring — and the ministry altogether. I had been pastoring for 22 years at the time and was burned out and fed up — mostly with myself. At …
By John Murphy, GuideStone Managing Director of Insurance Sales Social media has fundamentally changed the way we communicate with one another. Thoughts are broadcast to followers in a matter of seconds, generating quick public criticism or praise. Posts can be as entertaining as your latest vacation snapshot, as boring as your dinner plate and as controversial as the politics of …
HOW TO LEAD A GREAT BIBLE STUDY BY ANDY DAVIS One of my favorite ways to teach the Bible is in a small group setting in which there is the opportunity for give and take, for dynamic interaction over the sacred texts of Scripture. To prepare for such Bible studies, for years I have written out discussion questions that get …
HOW TO TREAT SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION IN MINISTRY? By Andrew Davis Spiritual Depression Temporary fits of spiritual depression have engulfed some of the choicest servants of the Lord throughout church history. It is amazing to read the list of those who confessed to feeling dark despair crowd into their souls at critical moments: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Adoniram Judson, …
Follow Our Lead on Church Plans for Your Retirement Needs By Stephen Osborne, Senior Relationship Manager in Retirement Solutions Ministers and ministries are unique — both in mission and in operations. As a minister, you received an inspirational calling from God and most likely pursued theological training to prepare for your vocation. But did your seminary offer you a class …
In this episode of our B21 Podcast, we interview Matt Smethurst, managing editor of The Gospel Coalition, a church planter, and author of a new book for 9Marks on Deacons. In part 1, we get to know Matt better and discuss some of the key questions relating to the diaconate and healthy ecclesiology. In part 2, we discuss church planting …
