The Baptist Courier

1 week ago | baptistcourier.com | Aaron Earls

Most pastors believe their churches will be around for at least another decade, but that’s not the reality for some. According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors, 94 percent believe their churches will still exist in 10 years, 4 percent disagree and 2 percent aren’t sure. Yet, even among the more than 9 in 10 who are looking forward to an extended future, some doubt remains. Fewer than 4 in 5 (78 percent) strongly agree they expect their church to have at least another decade.

1 week ago | baptistcourier.com | Jeff Robinson

Editors’ note: On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves. In so doing, Robinson became the first black player to appear in a Major League game, and his arrival led to the tearing down of the color barrier that had kept black players out of MLB. Below is my review of the excellent movie recounting that historic occasion, “42.” This article was originally published several years ago at The Gospel Coalition.

2 weeks ago | baptistcourier.com | Jeff Robinson

Impact Player: Leaving a Lasting Legacy On and Off the Field (Tyndale, 2012) by Bobby Richardson with David ThomasFormer Yankee Bobby Richardson played alongside Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Joe Pepitone, and Yogi Berra during one of the most prolific dynasties in baseball history, and he remains to this day the only player from the losing team ever to be named World Series MVP.

3 weeks ago | baptistcourier.com | Todd Deaton

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you,” urges the Prophet Isaiah (60:1–2). “For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples.”We don’t need to be told that evil, spiritual darkness, and tragedy pervade our culture and our world. Murder, mass shootings, terrorism, bombings, famine, rape, theft, physical brutality, drug abuse, pornography, racism, natural disasters, and debilitating illnesses scream out from today’s headlines.

3 weeks ago | baptistcourier.com | Todd Deaton

NewSpring Church of Anderson, which meets on 13 campuses across the state, has withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention, according to a recent letter addressed to the SBC Executive Committee. “After prayerful consideration, we’ve decided to withdraw from national SBC participation,” an announcement to church members signed by NewSpring’s Leadership Team states. “This decision is not about disagreement with the SBC’s core commitments but about preserving unity in the body of Christ.