By Aaron Earls BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Before “Overcomer” debuts in theaters across the country on August 23, Alex and Stephen Kendrick gave audiences at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting a sneak peek of their latest film on Tuesday (June 11). In two different screenings sponsored by Lifeway Films, the filmmaking brothers shared their heart behind the … [Read more...]
Numbers show VBS is as effective and relevant as ever, say Lifeway leaders
By Joy Allmond BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Is Vacation Bible School (VBS) worth it? This is the question church leaders around the country ask themselves every year. And it was the theme of the Lifeway Christian Resources breakfast at the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting in Birmingham. “It’s a lot of work,” said Jana Magruder, Lifeway Kids director. … [Read more...]
Giving Increases for SBC in 2018, baptisms, attendance continue decline
By Carol Pipes NASHVILLE (BP) -- Southern Baptist congregations saw an increase of more than $82 million in overall giving in 2018, according to the latest Annual Church Profile (ACP) report. However, other key metrics declined slightly in 2018, including baptisms, membership, average worship attendance and total number of Southern Baptist churches. The number of … [Read more...]
Analysis estimates contribution of non-reporting SBC congregations
By Staff NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Long-standing patterns continued to dominate the 2017 Annual Church Profile report released in June. The number of congregations affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention increased over 2016 totals, while reported membership and baptisms continued their year-over-year decline. But that’s not the whole story, according to Scott … [Read more...]
SBC President J.D. Greear launches listener-driven podcast through the Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network
By Joy Allmond DURHAM, N.C. -- Although he’s the relatively new president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), J.D. Greear, lead pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, N.C., doesn’t want his added responsibilities to keep him from his first calling—to make disciples and grow the church. On Oct. 22, Greear launched a new podcast, “Ask Me Anything: Honest Answers, … [Read more...]