By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO
Something special is being offered to pastors of Southern Baptist churches across the country by the International Mission Board in cooperation with various state Baptist foundations, including the Kentucky Baptist Foundation, and our legacy giving partner, PhilanthroCorp. This could revolutionize and facilitate estate stewardship in those churches whose pastors choose to participate.
The results of a recent LifeWay survey confirmed what we’ve known for years, namely, many pastors do not have wills and other estate planning documents in place, and most churches make no effort to educate and sensitize their members about including the church and other Baptist ministries in their wills or estate plans.
To develop a biblically generous church, the church must have a pastor who is faithful in his stewardship. To that end, the IMB has arranged a “free” luncheon on June 11 during the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, Texas to the first 1,000 pastors who register. The luncheon will be held from noon to 1:30 at the Hilton Americas Hotel, which is very convenient to the convention center. It is being held at the same time as the pastor’s wives’ luncheon as an added convenience. IMB President Tom Eliff will speak, and the focus will be “The Last Full Measure of Devotion: a Pastor’s Missions & Ministry Legacy.”
Reservations can be made on line at: http://www.regonline.com/SBC_Luncheon. You also can register by calling 1.804.219.1405 or emailing lconnerley@imb.org. Remember, it’s first come, first served.
To those Kentucky pastors who register, please look for a Kentucky Baptist Foundation table when you arrive at the luncheon. I shall look forward to hosting you.
You will be pleased to know no Cooperative Program or Lottie Moon funds are being used to provide this “free” lunch. The event is being made possible by a gift from an anonymous donor in the Houston area who believes the personal blessings, vision and materials shared with you can insure the ongoing expansion of the Great Commission.
If you are a pastor and attending the annual SBC meeting, please register for this luncheon today! If you are not a pastor, please make sure your pastor is aware of this opportunity and encourage your pastor’s participation.
The information in this article is provided as general information and is not intended as legal or tax advice. For advice and assistance in specific cases, you should seek the advice of an attorney or other professional adviser.
Showing posts with label Southern Baptist Convention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southern Baptist Convention. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
His Heart…Hands…Voice
By: Barry G. Allen- President & CEO
As Christ followers we are called individually to be part of the solution to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our churches, as the gathered people of God, also have the missions mandate to extend their witness and ministry beyond their own fellowships.
Acts 1:8 sets forth the scope of our mission task. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This assignment was not intended to be sequential except for the first-century New Testament church and apostles. Today, this Acts 1:8 assignment of our Lord is intended to be carried out constantly and simultaneously. And that’s exactly what we Kentucky Baptists collectively are doing through our local churches and associations, our Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. Cooperation is still the most effective means to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and to carry out His mission assignment.
Throughout the year we are called upon to focus prayerfully and financially on the different aspects of the Acts 1:8 missions task. The annual Christmas season focus is on international missions (to the ends of the earth) and the Lottie Moon Offering. The Apostle Paul reminded us in Romans 1:14 that we are debtors; because we know the Gospel we “owe” it to those who do not know. Even though sharing the Gospel with the whole world seems at first an intimidating thought, we have been commissioned by our Lord to do it.
How fortunate we Southern Baptists are to have 4,887 persons under appointment with the International Mission Board engaged to the ends of the earth with 763 people groups. How staggering it is to realize there are 3,629 unreached people groups not yet engaged. These are people beyond where most of us can ever go or see, but they are God’s children in need of what we have to offer.
So, extend His heart, hands and voice through your prayers and unprecedented current and deferred giving through the Lottie Moon Offering.
As Christ followers we are called individually to be part of the solution to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our churches, as the gathered people of God, also have the missions mandate to extend their witness and ministry beyond their own fellowships.
Acts 1:8 sets forth the scope of our mission task. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This assignment was not intended to be sequential except for the first-century New Testament church and apostles. Today, this Acts 1:8 assignment of our Lord is intended to be carried out constantly and simultaneously. And that’s exactly what we Kentucky Baptists collectively are doing through our local churches and associations, our Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. Cooperation is still the most effective means to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and to carry out His mission assignment.
Throughout the year we are called upon to focus prayerfully and financially on the different aspects of the Acts 1:8 missions task. The annual Christmas season focus is on international missions (to the ends of the earth) and the Lottie Moon Offering. The Apostle Paul reminded us in Romans 1:14 that we are debtors; because we know the Gospel we “owe” it to those who do not know. Even though sharing the Gospel with the whole world seems at first an intimidating thought, we have been commissioned by our Lord to do it.
How fortunate we Southern Baptists are to have 4,887 persons under appointment with the International Mission Board engaged to the ends of the earth with 763 people groups. How staggering it is to realize there are 3,629 unreached people groups not yet engaged. These are people beyond where most of us can ever go or see, but they are God’s children in need of what we have to offer.
So, extend His heart, hands and voice through your prayers and unprecedented current and deferred giving through the Lottie Moon Offering.
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