Alabama Megachurch Pastor Jimmy Jackson Retires After 53 Years in Ministry

-
0
Alabama Megachurch Pastor Jimmy Jackson Retires After 53 Years in Ministry

(Screenshot: YouTube.com / Whitesburg Baptist Church)Jimmy Jackson preaches at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama in April 2013.

Alabama megachurch pastor and former first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention Jimmy Jackson has preached his last sermon and will retire after a five-decade career in ministry.

The 78-year-old Jackson gave his final sermon on Sunday at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville and plans to officially retire in early June, reports AL.com.

Under Jackson’s leadership, Whitesburg Baptist Church has grown to over 7,000 members and has become one of the most prominent Southern Baptist churches in the Yellowhammer state since he took over as senior pastor in 1978.

“They had gone 28 months without a pastor,” Jackson said, according to AL.com. “They were going through so much strife. The church was having a hard time making its bills.”

“I believe God put me on this earth to be pastor of this church,” he added. “I just felt I was called to be here.”

The church will hold a special retirement celebration to honor Jackson’s 40 years serving the church next Sunday.

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

قالب وردپرس

Open Heavens 1st June 2018 Friday Daily Devotional – What Are You Living For?

CM Editor
-
0
Open Heavens 1st June 2018 Friday Daily Devotional – What Are You Living For?

Topic: What Are You Living For? [Open Heavens 1st June 2018, Friday]

Memorise: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21

Read: Esther 4:5-16 (KJV)

5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.

7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 11, Acts 4:1-22

MESSAGE:

It is important for everyone to know what he or she is living for. When you do not live for something, you will exist for anything – good, bad or ugly. Due to the nature of man, it takes determination to live for good (Ecclesiastes 9:3, Romans 7:21-24). Those who live for God live for good, while those who live for the devil live for evil. In Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14, the Holy Spirit reveals the essence of our living to us when He said:

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

The question today is: What are you living for?

Esther 4:14-16 tells the story of a young lady who decided to live for God and His people. She was ready to die if only the will of God would be done in her life through it. Despite the fact that she was a queen, she declared, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). In a similar situation, the book of Daniel tells of how three Hebrew boys disobeyed the decree of King Nebuchadnezzar when he wanted to lead them into idolatry. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to be thrown into the fiery furnace in order to obey their God (Daniel 3:16-18).

Today’s memory verse offers an answer to the question of what we should live for. When we decide to live for Christ, everything will fall into place spiritually, and when we are settled spiritually, other aspects of our life will receive meaning and fulfilment. This is the reason why our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:31-33:

“31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Some people live for the food they will eat, the cloth they will wear, the house they will live in and the car they will ride in, all at the expense of their soul. However, if you hearken diligently to the words of the Lord to seek Him and live for Him, everything else will follow.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to live completely for You from today in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 31st May 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional – Dry Bones Shall Live Again

Hymn 12: Take My Life, And Let It Be

1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post Open Heavens 1st June 2018 Friday Daily Devotional – What Are You Living For? appeared first on Flatimes.

Church and faith groups save NHS £3 billion annually

-
0
Church and faith groups save NHS £3 billion annually

The Cinnamon Network – which is a charity that connects faith-based organisations – studied 32 church-led initiatives and identified how they tackle issues including mental health, obesity and social isolation.

They found that more than 3,500 churches and 200,000 volunteers were making a significant contribution to the overstretched health service.

 

Matt Bird, founder of the Cinnamon Network told Premier the state of the nation would be worse without the Church’s help.

Speaking during Premier’s News Hour, he said: “Now we have evidence to show actually, active churches help reduce obesity, help prevent loneliness, and address mental health issues and dementia and many other aspects of just normal life for normal people.”

Rt Hon Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London is one of the Cinnamon Trustees and said in a statement: “The NHS is under considerable pressure; increasing public expectation, increasing life expectancy, improvements in technology and limited resources. If we are able to improve our health and the health of the community, we can contribute to the better use of those limited resources.

“The Church’s Impact on Health and Care research is an important contribution to understanding how the voluntary sector and specifically the church and faith-based projects can promote health and create community and belonging.”

Niky Dix, is the founder of Intentional Health, a…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with His Faith after Murder of His Wife and Son

-
0
Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with His Faith after Murder of His Wife and Son


Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with His Faith after Murder of His Wife and Son


In a few weeks (July 1), Les Ferguson Jr. will move on from the pulpit at Lake Harbour Church of Christ in Ridgeland, Miss., just north of Jackson, to a new position in Oxford, home to “Ole Miss,” the University of Mississippi.


The move and the university community, he said, offer the potential for more personal and spiritual growth. It’s also another move toward wholeness for a man whose life was fractured by tragedy nearly seven years ago.


On the afternoon of Oct. 10, 2011 — Ferguson’s 24th wedding anniversary — his wife, Karen, and the couple’s son Cole, 21, were shot to death in the family’s home in Gulfport, Miss., near the church where Ferguson was then preaching.


The apparent killer, Paul Ellis Buckman, 70, had attended the church until being charged three months earlier with sexually assaulting Cole, who had cerebral palsy. The same day that Karen and Cole were killed, Buckman was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his apartment two miles away.


“There were mighty dark days,” Ferguson remembered.


Now, he is the author of the new book “Still Wrestling: Faith Renewed Through Brokenness,” which explores the doubt that consumed him after the double murder.


Ferguson couldn’t imagine ever trusting in God again, much less proclaiming the gospel from a pulpit.


He was brought back in part by the people who…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Cuts All Ties With Paige Patterson, Terminates Emeritus Status

-
0
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Cuts All Ties With Paige Patterson, Terminates Emeritus Status

Expand | Collapse
(Photo: SWBTS/Matthew Miller)Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson presents his semiannual report to the seminary’s board of trustees in Fort Worth, Texas, April 5.

The board of trustees of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, announced Wednesday that effective immediately they have cut all ties with the school’s former president, Paige Patterson, after new details emerged about his handling of a sexual abuse allegation while he was president at another institution.

The announcement comes a week after Patterson resigned from his position as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after public uproar over comments he made in 2000 about how the Bible sees women and why spousal abuse isn’t grounds for divorce.

While the seminary did not reveal specific details about the new information shared with their board of trustees on Wednesday, officials said it was “inconsistent with SWBTS’ biblically informed core values.” The revelation also required swift action to cut all ties with Patterson who served as the 52nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention prior to becoming president of the seminary in June 2003.

“Deeming the information demanded immediate action and could not be…

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

قالب وردپرس

UMC Megachurch Hosts Ramadan Dinner With Muslims to ‘Demonstrate Love of Christ’

-
0
UMC Megachurch Hosts Ramadan Dinner With Muslims to ‘Demonstrate Love of Christ’

(Photo: Facebook/Dialogue Institute of Kansas City)Christians and Muslims gather for the Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas’ iftar dinner, held Tuesday, May 22, 2018 during the Muslim month of Ramadan.

The largest United Methodist Church congregation in the United States hosted a dinner with the local Muslim community as part of the Islamic season of Ramadan.

Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, which is headed by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, hosted the iftar dinner, the meal which Muslims eat after sunset during Ramadan, on May 22.

In an interview with The Christian Post on Wednesday, Hamilton explained that his church wanted to “dissipate fear” and “demonstrate the love of Christ” by holding the event.

“We’ve been trying to look for ways to build bridges with the Muslim community in Kansas City and to demonstrate the love of Christ to them,” said Hamilton.

“There’s an organization here in Kansas City who said [to us], ‘is there any interest you all would have in having an iftar dinner with us?’ We talked about it last year and we said, ‘let’s do that.'”

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

قالب وردپرس

Nigerian bishop says Church is doing more that the government to protect Christians

-
0
Nigerian bishop says Church is doing more that the government to protect Christians

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi said the more than 100 Christians deaths this year alone in the Middle Belt region was a result of the militant nomadic herdsmen being supplied “sophisticated weapons”.

In an interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Anagbe said: “The Fulani tribesmen for the most part live in the forests and cannot afford the luxury of such sophisticated weapons – so who is funding them?

 

“There is a clear agenda – a plan – to Islamise all of the areas that are currently predominantly Christian in the so-called Middle Belt of Nigeria.”

Bishop Anagbe said eleven parishes in his diocese had come under attacks from militant herdsmen in Benue state where predominantly Christians live.

Highlighting the failure of the Nigerian government to quell the extent of violence in the Middle Belt, Bishop Anagbe said: “When the attacks take place, there are never any police or soldiers present.”

Father Tobias Buture, from the Maiduguri diocese also criticised repeated security failures.

He told ACN: “The inhabitants of Maiduguri see a lack of transparency and honesty on the part of the authorities.”

ACN Jaco Klamer

 

Bishop Anagbe said the Church is doing more to help Nigerians than the government, referencing the more than 100,000 internally displaced people living in four separate camps in his…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

How Should Parents Raise Sons in a #MeToo Culture? Russell Moore Answers

-
0
How Should Parents Raise Sons in a #MeToo Culture? Russell Moore Answers

(Photo: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)Women take part in a #MeToo protest march for survivors of sexual assault and their supporters in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California U.S. November 12, 2017.

Southern Baptist Convention leader Russell believes that an important way to raise sons in the age of the #MeToo culture is to redefine masculinity to the standard of Jesus Christ.

During a Facebook live Q&A that aired on Tuesday, a viewer asked the president of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission how he believed parents should raise their sons amid the increased awareness of sexual misconduct by prominent celebrities and politicians.

Moore responded that parents need to work toward “redefining what masculinity means,” going “away from cultural stereotypes” and toward “the example of masculinity” given by Jesus Christ, which Moore explained was a combination of “tough and gentle.”

“It’s a toughness that is not defined by self, self-protection, or exultation of self, but a toughness that is for the sake of gentleness, of pouring Himself out,” said Moore.

Moore saw it as being important to teach sons “from a very early age” about moral dangers associated with power and “the appetites.”

Expand | Collapse
(Screenshot: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary)Russell Moore,…

… Read More

—-

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

قالب وردپرس

Interfaith event attended by Sadiq Khan and Sarah Mullally

-
0
Interfaith event attended by Sadiq Khan and Sarah Mullally

Christians, Jews and Muslims came together to hear from speakers of the different faiths and then eat a meal together – when the sun had gone down – with Muslims opening their fast. 

Hosted in St John’s Synagogue in North London, guests were assigned to a round table and encouraged to ask each other about their different traditions. 

It was the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, whom many were excited to hear from. His speech focused on the message of unity, saying that is the core of the three faiths. He referenced Jesus’ answer about the most important commandment being ‘Love thy neighbour’.

Also speaking were the new Bishop of London, Rt Rev Sarah Mullaly, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Cardinal Vincent Nicholls. 

 

Speaking to Premier after his speech, Khan said: “The wisdom in those three speakers is phenomenal and what’s great is the humility, to go round the room and listen to young people.”

“You’ve got three of the most senior religious people in this country giving their words of wisdom but also listening to young people.”

When asked if there was more of an openness towards religion than the previous generation he said: “Politicians of my generation thought it was to taboo to talk about religion and your faith – I don’t think it is.

“Actually, faith comes from organised religion, but it comes from other things as well. And so I think we shouldn’t be embarrassed…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Five Critical Reasons Church Leaders Need Networks – Revitalize & Replant #043

-
0

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play

Isolation in ministry can be deadly for a church and career ending for a minister. Today we discuss the importance and benefits of having a network of people to help you in ministry.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM WALTER

I know there are church planting networks, but should I try to find a revitalization network or replanted network? How would that benefit my work?

Episode Highlights:

  • When you’re isolated is when you’re most vulnerable to attacks from the enemy.
  • Do not try to revitalize a church while all by yourself in ministry.
  • Don’t get bogged down by the things your church doesn’t have; be blessed by what you do have.
  • One of a pastor’s greatest needs in ministry is accountability.

The five critical reasons we discuss are:

  1. The ministry can be very lonely
  2. Outsiders can offer perspectives clouded by the details of day-to-day work
  3. Networks can suggest a plethora of resources, many of them free
  4. The network can be a source of accountability
  5. It’s just more fun to work with others

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means…

… Read More

—

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

قالب وردپرس

1...2,0732,0742,075...3,893Page 2,074 of 3,893