INDIANAPOLIS — Baptist associations and associational mission strategists (or directors of mission) have an important role in the Southern Baptist Convention, especially when it comes to encouraging and equipping churches and pastors, candidates for the SBC presidency agree. All six presidential candidates were invited to address the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders on June 9 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. In introducing the candidates, Josh

BRENTWOOD — After meeting with church music leaders, Lifeway Christian Resources announced its commitment to continue operating lifewayworship.com. Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell said he and the leadership team appreciated the feedback they received over the last several months. “We’ve held listening sessions with over 200 church leaders from across the country since last fall,” Mandrell said. “Worship leaders told us this is their curriculum for discipling the people

NASHVILLE — If SBC messengers ask a question following this year’s GuideStone Financial Resources report in Indianapolis, health insurance is likely to be the topic. Since 2019, messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting have twice asked GuideStone chief executives questions. Both times the inquiries focused on the rising costs of health insurance. In response to a messenger question last year in New Orleans, GuideStone president Hance Dilbeck noted the difficulty

INDIANAPOLIS — Messengers to the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting are being asked to weigh in a second time on whether to add to the SBC Constitution an amendment regarding churches that employ women in pastoral roles. The amendment’s proponents have often cited a June 2023 report, which listed 99 Southern Baptist churches with female pastors and a total of 149 female pastors from a sample size of 3,847 “randomized” churches.

INDIANAPOLIS — Three Tennessee Baptist pastors are scheduled to speak during the 2024 Pastors Conference in Indianapolis June 9-10 preceding the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. The theme for the event is “Faithful: Pursuing Your Mission,” based on Revelation 17:14. Tennessee pastors speaking at the event include Adam Dooley, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson; Steve Gaines, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova and former SBC president; and Bartholomew Orr, Brown Missionary