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Articles by Willie McLaurin
McLaurin resigns as SBC's interim EC president and CEO, removed from search consideration
NASHVILLE (BP) — Willie McLaurin has stepped down as interim president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee and is no longer considered to be a candidate for that position by the presidential search team. McLaurin confessed to EC Chairman Phillip Robertson and EC Presidential Search Committee Chairman Neal Hughes Aug. 17 that the education credentials on his resume were forgeries.
FIRST-PERSON: Family reunion
Editor’s note: Willie McLaurin is the interim president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. As far as I can remember, family reunions were a priority in our family. Being a North Carolina native, I remember the many road trips to Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, and Washington D.C. Those gatherings involved travel by automobile, on-the-go lunches prepared by my mother, and the backseat games my siblings and I played during the multi-hour drive.
El revisado proyecto de ley de inmigración cuenta con apoyo bipartidista
WASHINGTON (BP) – La entidad de ética de la Convención Bautista del Sur expresó su esperanza de que la nueva legislación bipartidista se traduzca en un esfuerzo centrado en reformar por fin el sistema de inmigración de Estados Unidos. La Comisión de Libertad Religiosa y Ética (ERLC) acogió con beneplácito la presentación el martes (23 de mayo) de la Ley de Dignidad.
Cómo ayuda la ERLC a las iglesias
NASHVILLE (BP) – Como presidente de la Comisión de Ética y Libertad Religiosa (ERLC, por sus siglas en inglés) de la Convención Bautista del Sur, me entusiasma compartir con ustedes las diversas maneras en que estamos comprometidos a apoyar a las iglesias bautistas del sur como la suya. Nuestro objetivo es ayudarles a pensar bíblicamente sobre los temas culturales de nuestro tiempo, proporcionándoles recursos enraizados en el Evangelio.
Iglesia de Brownsville inicia servicios en inglés y español para conectar brecha generacional
A medida que crece la población hispana en los Estados Unidos, surgen nuevos retos. Por ejemplo, cada vez más niños y adolescentes de hogares hispanos mejoran sus conocimientos de inglés, pero no desarrollan o incluso pierden sus conocimientos nativos de español. Como resultado, en muchos hogares hispanos de EE.UU., los padres hablan poco inglés y sus hijos hablan poco o nada de español.
Compartir el Evangelio a los Hispanos en Nueva Orleans: Una Inversión en el Futuro de la Iglesia
Los Estados Unidos de América es una nación formada por inmigrantes, una nación maravillosa con muchas oportunidades y esperanza. Un político estadounidense describió esta realidad diciendo: “Estados Unidos no es como una manta: una pieza de tela intacta, del mismo color, la misma textura, el mismo tamaño. Estados Unidos es más como una colcha: muchos parches, muchas piezas, muchos colores, muchos tamaños, todos tejidos y unidos por un hilo común.
Traducción en español en New Orleans
Por primera vez, la reunión de SBC en New Orleans será traducida al español. Tendremos traducción simultánea a español para los asistentes que lo desean. Estos podrán conectarse a la red de Wi-Fi SBCespanol, channel 1 y escuchar la traducción de la sesión administrativa al bajar la aplicación WaveCAST Receiver. La persona debe traer sus propios auriculares.
Reseña Histórica de La Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispanoamericana de New Orleans
Han pasado 79 años, y celebramos lo que inició con el sueño de una joven Nicaragüense, Olimpia Fletes, a quien el Señor mostró la necesidad de llevar a este pueblo hispano el mensaje de Cristo, junto al Dr. Robert Mahom Pastor suplente de la iglesia Bautista Coliseum. Se iniciaron los estudios bíblicos en español en el año 1925. En el año 1926 un joven chileno llamado Isaías Valdivia, estudiante del seminario Teológico de New Orleans fue el primer pastor de esta misión.
Don’t Wait to Develop Healthy Habits
It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is true. For most people, responsibilities and time-consumers will not decrease as you grow older—at least, not until you have retired and all of your children (if you have them) are grown.
4 Keys to Creating A Culture of Trust
Trust is eroding in various sectors of our society, including education, government, and even religious institutions. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility not only to possess good character and integrity but also to dedicate our time and efforts toward instilling and promoting these values both individually and corporately as image bearers of God.
Lifeway’s 2024 VBS beach theme places kids on rock-solid truth
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – “Truth can be different for different people. Do what makes you happy. If you don’t agree with me, you don’t love me.” These are just a few of the lies today’s culture is telling our kids. But standing tall amid the changing tides of popular opinion is God’s rock-solid truth. This imagery forms the idea and setting for “Breaker Rock Beach,” Lifeway Christian Resources’ 2024 Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme.
Seminary students engage international summer mission trips
NASHVILLE (BP) – It’s one thing to learn about missions in a classroom, but it’s a totally different experience to share the Gospel face to face with those who’ve never heard. Though summer has barely begun, students from Southern Baptist seminaries have already had that experience. For Emma Cann, a senior at Boyce College studying education, a trip to the Philippines was a time to seek clarity in her calling.
FIRST-PERSON: Family reunion
Baptist Press file photo. Willie McLaurin, interim president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, gives the EC's report to messengers at the 2022 SBC meeting in Anaheim. As far as I can remember, family reunions were a priority in our family.
Catholic charter school approved on second attempt in Oklahoma
Metadata: Topic(s): EducationFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – A Catholic diocese has won approval to open a charter school in Oklahoma slated to become the first publicly funded religious school in the nation amid concerns of separation of church and state.
FIRST-PERSON: Family reunion
Metadata: Series: First PersonEvent(s): 2023 SBC Annual MeetingTopic(s): SBC Annual MeetingsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Editor’s note: Willie McLaurin is the interim president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. As far as I can remember, family reunions were a priority in our family.
NAMB files response in McRaney case
OXFORD, Miss. (BP) — The First Amendment stands as the lead point for the North American Mission Board’s position in its relationship with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCMD) and the 2015 dismissal of executive director Will McRaney. NAMB’s May 18 motion for summary judgment was filed on behalf of the entity in the U.S. District Court of Northern Mississippi.
FIRST-PERSON: Encourage your pastor
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This is a month set aside to honor and show appreciation to those who serve as pastors and ministers in the local church. As a child, I fervently remember the adults in our local congregation making sure they honored the pastor daily and not only one month out of the year. Yes, there was a yearly Pastor Appreciation observation, but the congregation of believers who I observed demonstrated respect and honor toward the pastor year-round.
FIRST-PERSON: Encourage your pastor
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This is a month set aside to honor and show appreciation to those who serve as pastors and ministers in the local church. As a child, I fervently remember the adults in our local congregation making sure they honored the pastor daily and not only one month out of the year. Yes, there was a yearly Pastor Appreciation observation, but the congregation of believers who I observed demonstrated respect and honor toward the pastor year-round.
FIRST-PERSON: Encourage your pastor
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This is a month set aside to honor and show appreciation to those who serve as pastors and ministers in the local church. As a child, I fervently remember the adults in our local congregation making sure they honored the pastor daily and not only one month out of the year. Yes, there was a yearly Pastor Appreciation observation, but the congregation of believers who I observed demonstrated respect and honor toward the pastor year-round.
'Pounding' your pastor - TEXAN Online
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This is a month set aside to honor and show appreciation to those who serve as pastors and ministers in the local church. As a child, I fervently remember the adults in our local congregation making sure they honored the pastor daily and not only one month out of the year. Yes, there was a yearly Pastor Appreciation observation, but the congregation of believers who I observed demonstrated respect and honor toward the pastor year-round.
Billingsley hopes to reach new audience with ‘The Shadow of Your Smile’
LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) – Charles Billingsley, teaching pastor and acclaimed worship leader, has released a brand-new album “The Shadow of Your Smile,” which represents a new chapter in his musical career. The album, released May 13, contains a blend of well-known songs from a variety of genres including Broadway classics, big band hits and light jazz.
California Baptists excited to host SBC annual meeting, ask for Great Commission help
ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – The California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) is asking fellow Southern Baptists to join them in Anaheim and consider taking the next step. In a video called “Consider California,” released by the CSBC, church leaders take viewers on a tour of the Golden State and highlight the need for Gospel impact. “We are excited to be hosting this year’s annual meeting,” said Victor Chayasirisobhon, CSBC president.
Pastor of burned Georgia church: 'God's got this, and we can trust Him'
WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga. (BP) – The pastor of a Georgia church that lost a historic building to fire was back in the pulpit on Sunday (May 15), sharing a message of hope with his congregation. “God’s got this, and we can trust Him,” said Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Pastor Chris Mitchell. The fire that authorities have said may have started in the kitchen destroyed a fellowship hall that dates back to 1879. In a Facebook post on Friday, Mitchell said the damage was disheartening for lots of people.
SBTC funds ultrasound placements in state through Psalm 139
HOUSTON (BP) – The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) presented a gift of $228,000 to the Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics entity Tuesday (May 17) for the placement of six ultrasound machines at pregnancy resource centers in the state. The SBTC grant was made to the Psalm 139 Project, a ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) that provides ultrasound technology to pregnancy centers and trains staff members in its use.
A time for lament and a time for change
Ecclesiastes, one of the great wisdom books in the Old Testament, contains a familiar passage ascribing times for everything and seasons for every activity under the heavens. Among them, there are times to weep, to mourn, to search and to uproot. These are the times in which we find ourselves in the Southern Baptist Convention as it regards sexual abuse in our network of churches.
Mission field success requires prayer, hard work
Prayer, individual work and teamwork with local or U.S. churches are important for effectiveness in the mission to reach souls for Christ. Many are involved in mission work, not by their physical presence on the field, but by prayer that sustains those on the field. Sometimes, a sower becomes discouraged at not seeing fruit or tangible results in their work. However, with prayer and time, for God nothing is impossible.
Sorrow, rescue and recovery in five states affected by severe storms
MAYFIELD, Ky. (BP) – Rescue efforts were underway Saturday as first responders, family members and neighbors worked to find missing people in five Mid-South states. The death toll topped more than 70 as tornadoes and hurricane-force, straight-line winds ripped across Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee during the early hours of the morning. “This will probably be recorded as the most devastating night in the history of the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
FIRST-PERSON: God with us - even during the storms
The Advent season puts a laser-sharp focus on the themes of peace, hope, love, and joy. Those themes are solid biblical principles that provide anchors for our faith. Yet, all of those themes are dependent upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways, Jesus does not simply give peace, hope, love, and joy—He is all of those. Our hearts break over the tragedy that has taken place from the storms of the early morning hour.
FIRST-PERSON: Living a life of significance
By WILLIE MCLAURIN, SBC Executive Committee NASHVILLE (BP) – Sixty-five years ago this week on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks – a 42-year-old seamstress and NAACP member – refused to give up her seat on a crowded city bus to make room for white passengers. She was arrested and jailed. At the end of a day’s work as a seamstress at the Montgomery Fair department store, Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus.
FIRST-PERSON: Living a life of significance
By WILLIE MCLAURIN, SBC Executive Committee NASHVILLE (BP) – Sixty-five years ago this week on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks – a 42-year-old seamstress and NAACP member – refused to give up her seat on a crowded city bus to make room for white passengers. She was arrested and jailed. At the end of a day’s work as a seamstress at the Montgomery Fair department store, Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus.
STATE MEETINGS: BRN casts 'Kingdom vision'; BGAV celebrates ongoing ministry
BRN online conference celebrates growth, God’s ‘Kingdom vision’ By Shannon Baker/Baptist Resource Network HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (BP) – Nearly 150 registrants gathered online for the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey’s Nov. 5 “Kingdom Vision Virtual Mini-Conference,” which replaced what would have been the network’s 50th anniversary celebration and annual meeting.
‘It’s a vital part of who we are’: CP Stories keeps missions up front
NASHVILLE (BP) – When David Sommerville became pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Parkersburg, W. Va., he already knew a practice he wanted to establish. David Sommerville, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Parkersburg, W. Va., uses CP Stories to inform church members of Southern Baptist missions at their Nov. 29 worship service.
School closings threaten gains of students with disabilities
(AP) – Without any in-school special education services for months, 14-year-old Joshua Nazzaro’s normally sweet demeanor has sometimes given way to aggressive meltdowns that had been under control before the pandemic. The teenager, who has autism and is nonverbal, often wanted no part of his online group speech therapy sessions, and when he did participate, he needed constant hands-on guidance from aides hired by his family.
FIRST-PERSON: Living a life of significance
EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization for the SBC Executive Committee. NASHVILLE (BP) – Sixty-five years ago this week on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks – a 42-year-old seamstress and NAACP member – refused to give up her seat on a crowded city bus to make room for white passengers. She was arrested and jailed. At the end of a day’s work as a seamstress at the Montgomery Fair department store, Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus.
SBC’s McLaurin: ‘Lament, listen, love, lead’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin serves as vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee. NASHVILLE (BP) – If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video recording must be worth a million. In the disturbing video of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on Memorial Day while in police custody, words are really hard to come by.
FIRST-PERSON: Lament, listen, love, lead
Posted on June 4, 2020 By Willie McLaurin NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video recording must be worth a million. In the disturbing video of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on Memorial Day while in police custody, words are really hard to come by.
FIRST-PERSON: Lament, listen, love, lead
Copyright (c) 2020 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/54894/firstperson-lament-listen-love-lead NEW - 38 minutes ago Tags: racismGeorge Floydracial reconciliation NASHVILLE (BP) -- If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video recording must be worth a million.
How to Manage Social Distancing Fatigue
The coronavirus has propelled our world overnight into patterns that are not normal. Many of us had never heard the term “social distancing” until health professionals recommended that this is the solution toward “flattening the curve” of new coronavirus infections. The initial rush to stock up on toilet tissue, sanitizing wipes and groceries was unprecedented. Aisle 13 at the local store was left with nothing but price labels and signs with purchase limit restrictions.
FIRST-PERSON: Every church on mission
Copyright (c) 2020 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/54675/firstperson-every-church-on-mission NEW - 21 minutes ago Tags: Cooperative Programstewardship EDITOR'S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
FIRST-PERSON: How to manage social distancing fatigue
Copyright (c) 2020 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/54656/firstperson-how-to-manage-social-distancing-fatigue NEW - 17 minutes ago Tags: COVID-19social distancingmental health EDITOR'S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
FIRST-PERSON: Healthy habits for pastors during COVID-19 culture
Copyright (c) 2020 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/54553/firstperson-healthy-habits-for-pastors-during-covid19-culture NEW - an hour ago Tags: coronavirusCOVID-19mental health EDITOR'S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
NAMB defends lawsuit dismissal in appeals court
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Thursday over a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against the North American Mission Board by a former executive of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCMD). The three-judge panel sharply questioned both sides as to whether and how First Amendment legal precedent protecting churches and religious organizations from state interference applied to the case.
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