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Articles by Aaron Meraz
Factors of Survivability of Church Plants in the Tarrant, Collin, North Texas, and Denton Baptist Associations
Abstract When I planted Bridgeway Baptist Church, McKinney, Texas, in October 2005, my association put me in contact with two recently deceased church plants to get some of their materials to use in our church. I talked with the two pastors and asked them why their churches died, hoping I could avoid their destiny. Though both churches made it past their fourth birthday, the pastors said that they needed more time to give to the church, a team member, and more financial support.
SBC DIGEST: Mission:Dignity gifts matched; Lifeway online Christmas store
Mission:Dignity gifts to be matched up to $500,000 on #GivingTuesday By Susan Ervien and Aaron Meraz/GuideStone DALLAS (BP) – Gifts to Mission:Dignity made on Nov. 30, 2021, #GivingTuesday, will be doubled up to $500,000 because of matching funds in that amount given by generous donors. Following the typical Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days, #GivingTuesday is a refreshing change of pace at the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Mission:Dignity Sunday is June 27, opportunity to help pastors, widows, others in need
By Aaron Meraz GuideStone Financial Resources One Year. That’s how long it was for retired pastor Homer Hinson and his wife, Doris, to touch each other due to COVID-19 restrictions in Homer’s nursing home. “We blew kisses through the window to each other every day,” Doris said. “Being married for 57 years, it was hard not being allowed to touch, hug or kiss him.” Homer was a pastor for almost 40 years in South Carolina, serving bivocationally for the most part.
FIRST-PERSON: We must find a way forward together
NASHVILLE (BP) – One of the most difficult challenges of leadership is to rise up and lead people forward together. I know I cannot fix every problem in the Southern Baptist Convention. What I can do is rise beyond my own preferences and desires in order to be part of something greater than myself. Anytime we lower ourselves to pettiness in our thinking and conduct, we become deceived into thinking we have to speak to every issue and solve every problem.
Pakistan Christian pair cleared of blasphemy after years on death row
LAHORE, Pakistan (BP) – A Pakistani Christian couple acquitted of blasphemy after seven years in prison should get government protection upon their release, international religious liberty advocates urge. The Lahore High Court on Thursday (June 3) acquitted Shagufta Kausar, 52, and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel, 49, of blasphemy charges that placed them on death row in 2014 and separated them from their four children.
California to pay $2M church legal fees over virus closures
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The state of California has agreed not to impose greater coronavirus restrictions on church gatherings than it does on retail establishments in a pair of settlements that provide more than $2 million in fees to lawyers who challenged the rules as a violation of religious freedom. A deal approved Tuesday (Jun. 1) by a federal judge comes after lawyers for a San Diego-area Pentecostal church took their challenge against the state to the U.S. Supreme Court three times and won.
Financial rebound evident in Cooperative Program, designated giving
NASHVILLE (BP) – The financial upturn much of the country has seen as the COVID-19 pandemic winds down is becoming evident though an increase in giving across the Southern Baptist Convention. Both Cooperative Program giving and designated giving reports for May 2021 showed strong year-over-year increases, and CP giving continues to run above budget for the fiscal year.
Bible Study: Submitting to His sanctification
NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum. Bible Passage: Acts 19:1–20 Discussion Questions: In what areas of your life have you seen God transforming you?
FIRST-PERSON: Pride month calls for a response of joyful truth from Christians
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – In case you failed to notice literally every major corporation changing its logo to a rainbow hue, June is now upon us, and that means 30 days of religious-like devotion to the gods of sexuality and identity politics – what our cultural powerbrokers refer to as “Pride” month. If you’re anything like me, the ironies are too much not to note. A supposedly oppressed minority with every organ of cultural power at its disposal insists on its powerlessness.
Lifetime ministry couple reunites after one year
One Year. That’s how long it was that retired pastor Homer Hinson and his wife Doris were unable to touch each other due to COVID-19 restrictions in Homer’s nursing home. “We blew kisses through the window to each other every day,” Doris said. “Being married for 57 years, it was hard not being allowed to touch, hug or kiss him.” Homer pastored churches for almost 40 years in South Carolina, most of them bivocationally.
Church planter ‘broken … for the people of Utah’
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah – Barry Smith, bi-vocational pastor at Pioneer Community Church, is in his second attempt to plant a church southwest of Salt Lake City. Both plants committed at the outset to allocate 10 percent of their undesignated offerings to missions through the Cooperative Program, the way Southern Baptists work together to advance God’s kingdom work in states, around the U.S. and worldwide. “As a NAMB planter I know where the money goes,” Smith said.
FIRST-PERSON: No spiritual participation trophies
CHATSWORTH, Ga. (BP) – At the end of the season in youth league sports, everybody gets a trophy. From the first-place team to the last-place team, the coach hands every kid a shiny piece of plastic that says, “thanks for playing.” In a recent Wednesday night men’s meeting at our church, the speaker made an important point: There are no spiritual participation trophies. But I must confess. As a pastor, I’ve done many funerals where I felt like I was handing out a spiritual participation trophy.
SBC DIGEST: Oklahoma Baptists to hold abbreviated meeting; North Carolina Baptists dedicate disaster relief hub
Oklahoma Baptists’ board approves abbreviated meeting By Baptist Messenger Staff OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BP) – Members of Oklahoma Baptists’ state convention board of directors gathered Tuesday (Sept. 15) at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City, to meet, pray, hear ministry and financial reports, as well as finalize plans for the upcoming annual meeting in November.
Hurricane Sally unleashes flooding along the Gulf Coast
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) – Hurricane Sally lumbered ashore near the Florida-Alabama line Wednesday with 105-mph winds and rain measured in feet, not inches, swamping homes and trapping people in high water as it pushed inland for what could be a slow and disastrous drenching across the Deep South. Moving at an agonizing 3 mph, or about as fast as a person can walk, the storm made landfall at 4:45 a.m. close to Gulf Shores, Ala., about 30 miles from Pensacola.
Missionaries work toward long-term partnership with Portuguese leaders
PORTUGAL (BP) – In 2017, IMB workers Mark and Hannah Bustrum attended a retreat with missionaries from the region and invited national partners to participate. For more than a decade they had worked to strengthen relationships with Portuguese believers, but inviting them to this retreat was about more than building or maintaining those relationships. “We know that national partners have keen and unique insights into their culture,” Mark says.
NAMB, church leadership coach Will Mancini partner to help pastors
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – The North American Mission Board (NAMB) and church leadership coach Will Mancini have formed a new ministry partnership to help pastors. “We are so excited to have Will serve as a ministry partner with the NAMB family and mission,” NAMB President Kevin Ezell said Tuesday (Sept. 15). “He brings years of ministry consulting, experience and wisdom.
VIDEO: SBC leaders host virtual rally for 2021 SBC Annual Meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Ronnie Floyd hosted a Facebook Live event today (Sept. 15) to share more about the 2021 Annual Meeting and encourage as many churches as possible to send messengers to Nashville. Watch the full broadcast below. Also appearing were SBC President J.D. Greear, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell and International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood as well as Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Executive Director Randy C.
Urban, rural churches benefit from ‘Caring Well Challenge’
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist churches in Los Angeles and rural Tennessee are among those that benefited from the initial year of the “Caring Well Challenge,” and more congregations have the opportunity to do so as the initiative to prevent sexual abuse and care for survivors relaunches.
Christian sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy against Islam
LAHORE, Pakistan (BP) – As a result of strict Islamic blasphemy laws, Asif Pervaiz, a 37-year-old Christian man, was sentenced to further jail time, a large fine, and death because of allegations that he insulted the Islamic prophet Muhammad via text messages to coworker Muhammad Saeed Khokher, The Associated Press reported. Originally accused by Khokher in 2013, Pervaiz spent seven years in jail, awaiting the court’s hearing of the case. On Sept.
FIRST-PERSON: Civility is not enough
NASHVILLE (BP) – I visibly cringe every time the word “civility” is used around me. I hate it. On the face of it, “civility” is one of those things that everyone supports – like “patriotism” or “family” or “honor.” But our civility is often limited to whether or not we agree with the other person. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am repelled by the word “civility” because it aspires to too little. We are called not to mere civility, but beyond civility to kindness.
Trinity is hub for disaster relief, ministry, sharing the Gospel
LAKE CHARLES, La. (BP) – When a hurricane leaves town, the ensuing days evoke whirlwinds of activity for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles is a hub of such ministry, reaching into the community with cleanup efforts, 20,000 meals a day, tons of food and other life necessities, and sharing the Gospel. Chad Gilbert (right) prays with a storm victim Sept. 11 at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, La.. “There’s a desperation that’s in the air for everybody.
Southern Baptists, think carefully about your ways
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ronnie Floyd is president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. NASHVILLE (BP) – Since the end of February 2020, I have carried a deep and increasing burden about the following things: The divisiveness and ongoing strife within our Southern Baptist family, resulting in turmoil and confusion. The ongoing attraction to lesser issues at the expense of our cooperative work to fulfill the Great Commission.
ERLC, others hail federal rule on campus freedom
WASHINGTON (BP) – Southern Baptist religious freedom advocate Russell Moore and other evangelical Christian leaders have commended a new Trump administration regulation to protect the constitutional rights of students and organizations on college campuses. The Department of Education released a final rule Wednesday (Sept. 9) that provides for the protection of freedom of religion and speech at America’s colleges and universities.
Judge bans indoor worship for MacArthur, Grace Community
LOS ANGELES (AP/RNS) — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted a preliminary injunction against Grace Community Church, prohibiting Pastor John MacArthur from holding indoor worship services.
Chaplain walks through mental health hardships with first responders
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today (Sept. 10) is World Suicide Prevention Day. STAMFORD, Conn. (BP) – Chaplain John Revell says first responders and police have “a front row seat to depravity.” Revell, president of Life Line Chaplaincy in Stamford, about 40 miles north of New York City, said the horrors experienced by first responders on a daily basis have deep impacts on the heart, soul and mind.
Pro-lifers prepare for assault on Hyde Amendment
WASHINGTON (BP) – Pro-life advocates are bracing for an assault next year on a federal policy that has protected the consciences of many Americans and saved the lives of an estimated 2.4 million unborn children since 1976. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and another Democratic leader have told some members of their party they will not include the Hyde Amendment in spending bills beginning in 2021, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Floyd to host online rally for SBC Annual Meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Ronnie Floyd will host a Facebook Live event Tuesday (Sept. 15) to share more about the 2021 Annual Meeting and encourage as many churches as possible to send messengers. In 1995, the last time the Annual Meeting was held in Nashville, 11,641 messengers from 4,775 churches attended the event. Floyd hopes to see those numbers increase after the 2020 meeting was canceled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
California churches responding to needs during wildfires
OAKHURST, Calif. (BP) – The smoke surrounding Greg Kilgore’s house is so thick he cannot even see the surrounding hills. Kilgore, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oakhurst, Calif., is one of many pastors feeling the effects of the Creek Fire, a blaze contributing to the worst season of wildfires in California’s history. With the smoke from the surrounding fires drifting in, Kilgore said firefighters have been unable to maintain proper air support for aircraft to drop retardant on the fire.
FIRST-PERSON: The election and beyond
DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – In the course of my day, I have a list of the things that need to get done, divided into areas of urgency. They’re all important, but depending on deadlines and other factors, some get precedence. They’re just too important to ignore. I have my own system for attending to those tasks that involves writing pads, sticky notes and email flags. There is always room for tweaks to the system, but all in all it works. Today, the ability to focus borders on becoming a superpower.
Katrina evacuees return the favor to camp battered by Laura
DRY CREEK, La. (BP) – The winds were still howling as Hurricane Laura blew through Dry Creek Baptist Camp Thursday morning Aug. 27, when camp director Todd Burnaman fielded a welcomed phone call from the pastor of Horeb Baptist Church in Gretna, La., asking how he and his people could lend assistance.
FROM THE SEMINARIES: NOBTS holds delayed convocation; SEBTS to sponsor popular podcast
Task ‘impossible’ apart from Christ, Dew tells students By Marilyn Stewart NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Jamie Dew posed a question to the audience gathered Sept. 3 for convocation, the official start of the academic year. How can believers follow God’s call and fulfill His mission in a world torn apart by hostility and division? The service was delayed one week due to closings in anticipation of Tropical Storm Marco and Hurricane Laura.
DISASTER RELIEF DIGEST: 140 churches damaged; Hundreds of volunteers mobilized
Laura’s toll includes 140 Louisiana Baptist churches By John Kyle ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Laura’s 140-mph, Category 4 winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship. While hundreds of thousands were left without power and water, perhaps just as devastating is the destruction of houses of worship, which often are central to the lives in a community.
As California burns, the winds arrive and the lights go out
SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (AP) – Wildfires churned through bone-dry California today (Sept. 8) after a scorching Labor Day weekend that saw a dramatic airlift of more than 200 people trapped by flames and ended with the state’s largest utility turning off power to 172,000 customers to try to prevent power lines and other equipment from sparking more fires. Three early morning helicopter flights rescued another 35 people from Sierra National Forest as a fire raged, the California National Guard said.
Military wives 'have their cup filled' at WMU retreat
SOPHIA, N.C. (BP) – Military wives and families “share their loved one with the world,” said Mary Gray, a former military wife and current military family advocate. She is committed to serving the families of those she calls “the sons and daughters of America.” Mary Gray, a military wife and mom, has led Bible studies each year at WMU North Carolina’s annual Military Wives Retreat.
FIRST-PERSON: Homeschooling rings our bell
NASHVILLE (BP) – It was a tough decision. For several weeks, my wife and I talked about it at great length. We prayed about it, sweated over it and, occasionally, I will admit, flip-flopped on it. In the end, though, we made our choice and held firm: We decided that our two boys — Jonah (fourth grade) and Luke (first grade) — would be homeschooled this year. Thinking about it was scary. Would the boys be able to concentrate at home? Would cabin fever set in?
Americans hold complex, conflicting religious beliefs, according to latest State of Theology study
NASHVILLE (BP) – More than half of Americans say religious beliefs are a matter of personal opinion, not objective facts. And that’s made clear by examining the varying, and sometimes contradictory, theological doctrines they hold. The biennial State of Theology study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research explores the religious and cultural beliefs of U.S. adults.
Northern California church accrues tens of thousands of dollars in fees for violating pandemic orders
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP/RNS) — A Northern California church has accrued tens of thousands of dollars in fines for defying public health orders that prohibit indoor worshipping. North Valley Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church in Santa Clara County, has so far been fined a total of $25,000 in five notices of violation, a Santa Clara County spokesperson told Religion News Service. According to a video released by the church, the fines totaled $52,750.
Pandemic prompts churches to consider permanent changes
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Every church has adjusted some aspects of ministry since the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic. But even as the effects of COVID-19 continue to press into the modern landscape of the evangelical church, some congregations are already turning from the question of how to shift from the current moment toward changes for the long-term future.
Magnolia could replace old Confederate symbol on Mississippi flag
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi voters will decide whether to accept a new state flag featuring a magnolia to replace an old one legislators retired because it included the Confederate battle emblem. A commission voted 8-1 Wednesday to recommend the magnolia over one other final design that featured a shield with wavy lines representing water.
Bible Study: God's plans will be fulfilled
NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum. Bible Passage: Matthew 13 Discussion Questions: — Why are stories so effective at teaching truths?
Most state conventions redesign or cancel annual meetings during COVID-19
JACKSON, Miss. (BP) — Most Southern Baptist state conventions are either redesigning or canceling their 2020 annual meeting to prevent spread of COVID-19. As of Sept. 1, only 13 intend to proceed with in-person gatherings. In Mississippi, where COVID-19 test results show a 14.51 percent positivity rate, the Mississippi Baptist Mission Board has postponed its annual meeting until further notice. The meeting was previously scheduled Oct. 27.
Kentucky church baptizes 506 in COVID year
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (KT) – Hillvue Heights was heading like a silver bullet toward its goal of 700 baptisms when COVID-19 entered the equation. Hillvue, one of the leading churches in the South when it comes to annual baptisms, was forced to shut down like everybody else. But even without preaching a word to an in-person audience, the Lord was working within the church’s membership.
FIRST-PERSON: The unfinished task
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kie Bowman is pastor of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin and president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. AUSTIN, Texas (BP) — At Hyde Park Baptist Church, we are “rolling out the red carpet” for the 22nd annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. This year our convention will look different, due to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Kenosha churches pray for justice, mercy amid downtown rioting
KENOSHA, Wis. (BP) — Wrecked by rioting and unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police, the city of Kenosha is in desperate need of rebuilding, said Rich Villarreal, discipleship and teaching pastor of Redeemer Parkside church, located near downtown Kenosha. Villarreal said members and leaders of Redeemer Parkside are working to engage and rebuild the community in both practical and spiritual ways. “There’s a big financial need now,” Villarreal said.
Cooperative Program giving tops $16M for second consecutive month
NASHVILLE (BP) — With only one month remaining in the 2020 fiscal year, giving through the Cooperative Program remains steady despite challenges faced by churches and members through the COVID-19 global pandemic. Gifts in August totaled more than $16 million, marking the first time that threshold has been reached in consecutive months since the pandemic began.
DISASTER RELIEF DIGEST: 20 units deployed in Texas; DR video update from Iowa
SBTC teams working in southeast Texas BEAUMONT, Texas (BP) — Volunteer teams with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief continue to provide hurricane relief to Southeast Texas by preparing meals and cleaning up debris. “We have 20 units out in the field,” SBTC DR Director Scottie Stice said. “This is the largest deployment we’ve had since Hurricane Harvey.” Volunteers are preparing more than 11,000 meals a day for survivors in both Texas and Louisiana.
Sex abuse charge dropped against former children’s minister
DALLAS (BP) – A child sex abuse charge against a former Village Church minister has been dropped because of what the district attorney’s office called “a lack of probable cause.” The Dallas County District Attorney’s office filed a motion Aug. 27 to drop the case against Matthew Tonne, who was charged in January 2019 with indecent sexual contact with a child. The DA’s office asserted that the alleged victim could not and never did identify Tonne as the perpetrator.
September update with GuideStone's David Spika
David Spika joined Jonathan Howe on Tuesday (Sept. 1) to review this month’s economic developments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming presidential election. Spika also will be part of a webcast Sept. 9 called “Decision 2020: A special look at elections, markets and the cycles that drive them.”
Union Grove adapts to the times
YADKINVILLE, N.C. (BP) – “There’s no future in the past,” says Kenny Gooden, pastor for the last 30 years of Union Grove Baptist Church. “We have to look forward.” Change is essential, even though change in a rural area like Yadkin County is difficult and takes time, Gooden said. “The message never changes,” he said.
FIRST-PERSON: It is that simple!
CHESNEE, S.C. (BP) — Recently, while discussing the current civil unrest with a friend, I shared with her an account of a man in whose life I had the privilege of planting the seed of the Gospel. The transformation in his life was quite remarkable. Here is his story: We will call my friend “John.” I met him in my medical office one Saturday morning. He suffered from anxiety and panic attacks after the loss of a business and a close friend by suicide.
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