Yearly Archives: 2015

Unplanned Pregnancies; Being a Church that Cares, Not Condemns

New findings reveal that women who have had an abortion, often feel the church is not a caring place for them, and at the time of their unplanned pregnancy, the church didn’t provide resources for them. In preparation for Sanctity of Human Life Day, we lay-out successful ways churches are ministering to women and men with unplanned pregnancies, or who are dealing with the aftermath of having an abortion.
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Pastor’s Column: The Lament of Nehemiah – Rebuilding Education in our City

Russ Gregg, Head of School at Hope Academy writes that the mis­education of inner city youth is one of the most critical social justice issues of our day. Too many inner-city children are growing up in traumatic and impoverished homes that will sadly go on reproducing themselves for generations. Gregg writes about how the educational situation in the inner-city is desperate, but it is not hopeless. He encourages us to pray like Nehemiah, be moved to tears like Nehemiah and intervene like Nehemiah; knowing there is hope in returning to the Almighty God.
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Evangelical Defined, Do You Fit the Label?

The National Association of Evangelicals recently came up with a new definition for what it means to be "evangelical." Find out if you or your church fits the NAE's new label of evangelical. And read more on how some Lutherans and Catholics are responding to the NAE's new definition of evangelical, now that it is all based on beliefs, not behavior, denomination, race or political affiliation. Those who strongly agree with these 4 statements are considered evangelical: 1. The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. 2. It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. 3. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. 4. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.
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How Should Church Leaders Talk about ISIS, Radical Islam and Jihad?

With recent terrorist attacks in Paris, homegrown terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, and a wave of fear that has overtaken the Western world when it comes to refugees, ISIS’s presence is known and felt in the US. Recently Transform Minnesota held a training for evangelical leaders and pastors on ISIS, Radical Islam, Jihad and our response as Christians. Here is a synopsis of the training, we hope this brief summary helps Christians to better understand recent terror attacks, and that it will address the fears many Christians feel surrounding ISIS and radical Islam.
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Pastor’s Column: The Evangelical Season of Advent

Advent is a season of mournful longing and anticipation. But as Pastor Jason Meyer of Bethlehem Baptist shares, Advent should be one of the most evangelistic seasons of the church calendar. Some people come to church only twice a year (Christmas and Easter). Rather than criticize them, let’s capitalize on this willingness, by focusing church messages on the gospel; repent and believe.
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United in Freedom: Community and Confession

in News. Posted November 24, 2015
In our third part of United in Freedom, we took a look at how community and relationships are key to overcoming racial division in the body of Christ. The floor was opened up for public confession. Participants worshiped together through singing and holding hands, making promises starting with “I will…”
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