Month: June 2017

Resolutions: The Heart of Southern Baptists in Brief

I first attended the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in 1982, early in the days of the Conservative Resurgence. The next few years saw some of our best-attended and most contentious meetings. In those days, news media from everywhere descended on our meeting sites, trying to figure out who we are and what we’re doing. They mostly failed; we are notoriously hard to understand.

Then and now, the aspect of convention business most comprehensible to non-Baptist observers is the resolutions. It is here that the heart of the messengers is most plainly expressed. The emphasis among outsiders always tends toward topics the reporters already understand: boycotts, political issues, moral outrage and the like. We were often ridiculed for our moralizing, but I’m not embarrassed to have been a part of those votes. Outsiders who would understand Southern Baptists would do well to read the resolutions year by year, even the “boring” ones. Resolutions are our best effort to discern the times, and to address with positive effect needs and trends of our churches and our neighbors. Our 2017 slate of resolutions is a fine example of how our denominational heart is expressed. Consider the 10 resolutions passed during our 2017 meeting in Phoenix.

On Prayer: Here we see a call to personal and corporate devotion. Prayer is recommended as the command of God and the power for our ministry. Baptists are mystics who believe that the invisible Maker of the universe works through the prayers of his people.

On the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation: While not Protestants, Baptists are nonetheless children of the revolution of the 16th century. The radical return to biblical authority and salvation by grace through faith caused millions to stumble and millions of believers to rejoice in the centuries that followed. Surprisingly, the theological issues of the 16th century arise in our day.

On the 100th Anniversary of the SBC Executive Committee: This committee is our “decently and in order” body. Our ancestors organized for growth, believing that God can bless those who plan. Southern Baptists are grateful for those who built the foundations of our modern work, and we are reminded of our obligation to future generations who will build on our current efforts.

On University Ministry: Our “comprehensive approach to evangelism and discipleship” must include university campuses. It is here that our culture is most crucially engaged with the gospel. Southern Baptists are on mission for the lost in the most difficult places imaginable.

On the Necessity of Penal Substitutionary Atonement: The most basic elements of Christian doctrine must be reemphasized when some who call themselves Baptist deny them. This resolution cites Scripture 20 times. Baptists know that biblical theology undergirds our missionary work. There is no gospel ministry if we do not know the gospel.

On Defunding Planned Parenthood and On the Sin of Gambling:  The most basic elements of Christian doctrine must be reemphasized when some who call themselves Baptist deny them. This resolution cites Scripture 20 times. Baptists know that biblical theology undergirds our missionary work. There is no gospel ministry if we do not know the gospel. 

On the Importance of Moral Leadership: Some will read this resolution and see a criticism of only those with whom they disagree; but it’s intentionally not written that way. This resolution calls all of us to the high standards of the God who appoints kings, pastors and church members. Southern Baptists are committed to personal holiness, starting with ourselves but reaching outward to the most powerful among us. Because we have a biblical understanding of holy God and fallen man, we know that we are susceptible to temptation. We also know that God is the judge of all men. 

On Appreciation: We always include a resolution thanking the host city and its churches. Writing thank you notes is basic though uncommon courtesy, an expression of gratitude for the way God provides through other people. We roll into town after thousands have prepared the way for us. The work falls heavily on a smaller state convention, like Arizona. Southern Baptists, on our best days, appreciate the kindness and generosity of those who serve us.

On the Anti-Gospel of Alt Right White Supremacy: Another prophetic word but also one that speaks to those within our fellowship who hold racist attitudes. This is a great example of a snapshot of our current year. Issues, even groups, become prominent and in this case, toxic. This is the convention taking a timely stand. Southern Baptists believe, to quote President Steve Gaines, “There is one race, and that is the human race.”

Every year’s slate of resolutions is unique to the convention seated for that meeting, but this year’s slate is not atypical. This report touches the issues of the day, even though those issues may be unique to a particular time. Resolutions are important as a record, not of our actions so much as our denominational mind year by year. Those from inside and outside our fellowship who would ask “What happened at the SBC this year?” will have a pretty good answer if they’ll start by reading the resolutions. 

Look Like Heaven: Unity Around Jesus





A resolution was passed in the last session of the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix where messengers once again voiced their affirmation of the dignity of all human beings. Resolution #10 was a call to oppose the “Anti-Gospel of Alt-Right White Supremacy.” Praise God for clarity by the SBC. It is inconceivable that anyone with the Spirit of Christ within them would seek to dehumanize another person on the basis of race, religion or any other qualifier.

In regard to African-Americans in particular, the founding of the SBC is an unimaginable hurt. The SBC was founded due to controversy concerning sending missionaries who were slave owners. For almost a century afterward many Southern Baptists were a part of repressing African-Americans. Steps have been taken in recent years to show true repentance in the present.

In 1995 the SBC messengers made a clear statement of repentance for the historic acts of evil such as slavery and racism. While specifically addressing the horrific practices toward African-Americans, it began to bring greater awareness of the need to keep our hearts directed in love toward all people. The Baptist Faith and Message (2000), in Article 15, added a statement that racism should be opposed. Opposing racism is more than calling out the bad; it is a clarion for us to be active agents for change.

The SBC elected Fred Luter the first African-American president of the convention in 2012. Resolutions in 2014, 2015 and 2016 addressed the vigilance needed in rejecting racism in any form. These resolutions emphasized the primacy of the gospel and the evil of racism. Words are needed but action is better. This year the first African-American was elected president of the Pastors’ Conference. The 2017 Committee on Nominations was comprised of the most ethnically diverse group ever. It takes intentionality on the part of all to move toward a fully racially inclusive Southern Baptist Convention.

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention has attempted to be a leader in promoting gospel equality. Rudy Hernandez was the second president of the SBTC. Pastor Terry Turner of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church was the first African-American elected president of the SBTC. He led us to establish July as “Look Like Heaven” month. Churches are encouraged to cross cultural, linguistic and racial barriers to worship our Lord together. African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians serve on the SBTC Executive Board. The SBTC staff reflects the same broad representation. Not just diversity but inclusive unity around the Lord Jesus Christ is the desire.

Unfortunately, we live in a climate of hostility. Civil debate in the public square is almost impossible. Rather than being a thermostat to change the culture, believers are often thermometers reflecting the culture. It is time for us to not just voice our disdain for overt racism in resolutions but to put in practice our love for all people. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the change agent that can make that happen. Keep telling the old, old story. One day people from every nation, language, and race will stand before the Lamb. If we are going to be there for eternity together, we need to have the Spirit of God enable us to love one another while we are here. Let’s make it “Look Like Heaven.”

Send Luncheon: “Evangelize or fossilize”

PHOENIX—A full-capacity audience gathered at the Phoenix Convention Center June 12 for a discussion about evangelism at the North American Mission Board’s 2017 Send Luncheon.

“NAMB exists to come alongside churches and help them be on mission,” NAMB president Kevin Ezell told pastors. “The mission of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ—to push back lostness in North America; to see that every man, woman, boy and girl can hear the gospel. Everything we do is about evangelism. We as a convention need to focus on having gospel conversations.”

Ezell shared some sobering statistics based on an analysis of 2015 Annual Church Profile numbers. Eight percent of SBC churches, he said, baptized nine people or fewer. Fifty percent of churches baptized two or fewer, and 25 percent baptized none.

Ezell then invited pastors Vance Pitman, Greg Laurie and James Merritt to the stage to discuss their experiences sharing the gospel and leading others to do the same. Each man stressed how crucial evangelism is to the survival of the church, and they challenged pastors to lead by example in their own lives by intentionally and regularly having gospel conversations.

Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., began the conversation by explaining how he motivates his church staff and members to share their faith.

“If you want to start a fire in the pews, it has to start in the pulpit,” Laurie said. “Evangelize or fossilize. New believers are the lifeblood of the church. If you show me a church that does not have a constant flow of new believers coming in, then I will show you a church that’s stagnant.”

Laurie explained that older believers stabilize the church while newer believers mobilize the church.

Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Ga., added, “The gospel is still a fire that can melt the coldest heart. It is still a rock that can break the hardest heart.”

Vance Pitman, NAMB ambassador and pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, shared his experience with evangelism as a church planter.

“What changed for me in the arena of evangelism was moving to Las Vegas to plant a church,” Pitman shared. “When I moved to Las Vegas, there was no church. I didn’t have a choice but to build relationships with people in the city.”

Pitman said it was then that he became more active in meeting lost people, cultivating gospel conversations with them, and building relationships with people in the city. He addressed a problem he said is common among Baptist churches today: Members are only surrounding themselves with fellow church members.

“Can you name people in your city who don’t know Jesus that you’re building relationships with?” Pitman asked.

He suggested restructuring the ministry to allow more time and opportunities for members to build relationships with people outside the walls of their congregation.

Pitman then introduced a video of Martin Haghani, a church planter from his church who excels in evangelistic work. A former Muslim, Haghani has devoted his life to reaching out to the Islamic community in Las Vegas in order to share the gospel and the hope of Jesus. In 2015, he led 26 Muslims to Christ, and in 2016, his church baptized 54 more.

Merritt offered a concluding comment, saying, “The single greatest thing you can do for another person is introduce them to Jesus Christ.”

—with reporting by Keith Collier

Crossover & Harvest America share timeless gospel message

PHOENIX—It started Friday, June 9—the rumblings of an awakening. More than 700 voices worshiped at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix, Ariz., kicking off the weekend’s Crossover Arizona and Harvest America events.

The North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Crossover Arizona and Greg Laurie’s Harvest America joined forces to host a three-day evangelistic outreach involving training, street evangelism and service projects before culminating in Harvest America’s Sunday night crusade.

By the end of that evening, Harvest reported 2,904 salvation decisions at the event with another 494 indicating decisions online. In total, the Harvest crusade and Crossover street evangelism resulted in 3,549 professions of faith.

The events were held in conjunction with this year’s Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix.

“Welcome to Crossover,” said Jason Powell, pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, during Crossover’s Friday-evening gathering. “This is for you to learn tips and tactics to tell someone else about Jesus. While we’re excited about the opportunity for 35,000 people to hear the gospel at the crusade, it’s very important we learn how to share and get out there every day.”

Fifty Crossover volunteers gathered Saturday, June 10, to work on Arizona homes. They repaired plumbing, cleaned houses, painted walls and landscaped yards during the “Love in Action” service project at several transitional houses owned by Dream City Church and its affiliate, Dream Center.

One homeowner, Ryan Dubia and his wife Alexandra worked alongside volunteers sweating in unison in the 98-degree heat.

“Our house was a blessing,” Dubia said. “It gave me and my wife Alex a break when we got our lives together and stopped using drugs. We’ve been clean for 22 months. This house, and the opportunity to have it maintained by volunteers, is a relief for our soon-to-be family of four.”

But the day wasn’t over for Crossover participants. As the sun set, the streets of Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale and Ave Mesa filled with groups sharing the gospel during the “Tell Someone” evangelism portion of Crossover.

Steve Gaines, president of the SBC and pastor of Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., served alongside his wife Donna and Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary students and alumni Saturday night in Glendale. SWBTS students had hit the streets earlier in the week to begin their annual evangelism efforts in conjunction with Crossover and the SBC annual meeting.

“With our group, we visited over 1,000 homes,” Gaines said. “We had well over 200 gospel conversations and were out for about three to four hours. We had a great time.”

Frank S. Page, a past president of the SBC who now serves as president of the SBC Executive Committee, also participated in door-to-door evangelism Saturday with First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch Park and SWBTS students. Sunday, he preached two sermons at Mountain Ridge Church’s Arrowhead campus in Glendale.

“I was delighted to go with a group of students from Southwestern Seminary, my alma mater, in sharing the gospel,” Page said. “I did not get to lead anyone to Christ, but I did have several great gospel conversations. I have participated in Crossover for many years and love the privilege.”

The weekend’s events came to a crescendo Sunday night as approximately 38,000 gathered to hear the good news of Jesus live at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Another 3,000 host sites joined the crusade event online.

The event started with prayer for the nation and then attendees experienced a night of worship with musical artists NEEDTOBREATHE, Trip Lee, MercyMe, Jordin Sparks, Phil Wickham and Brennley Brown and heard a gospel presentation from Greg Laurie.

Many attendees had been invited to the crusade by friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members or even strangers.

“I came to the crusade because my friend started asking me about Jesus, and Harvest America was the perfect opportunity to have her hear the gospel,” Tammi Gauthier, an Arizona native, said. “The friend I brought was my daughter’s nanny. We fell out of touch for a while. Then, out of nowhere this year, she started reaching out and asking about Jesus. I’d been to a few crusades before but nothing this big. I was so happy to bring her and have her be completely immersed in worship and the Word.”

In his message, Laurie shared about the anxieties and fears most Americans live with. In Arizona, the number of suicides is significantly higher than homicides, resulting in 810 deaths annually, he said.

“We’re living in a crazy world right now,” Laurie said. “Our nation is lost in every state including Arizona. The threat of terrorism is real.

“People are scared, worried, in anxiety. But let’s have theology without apology. People are hungry for that; they’re hungry to have an honest and hopeful conversation. The last thing that God wants is any man or woman created in his own image to go to hell. Heaven is his place for all forgiven people and all people can be forgiven at any time if they believe and receive him into their lives. That’s the message we aimed to share during Crossover Arizona and at Harvest America—a message of hope to the nation.”

Laurie ended the evening by inviting people to the stadium floor if they wanted to begin a relationship with Christ.

“No matter what, come with your sins, come with your questions,” Laurie said to a quiet crowd. “He will take you as you are.”

NAMB is planning a similar partnership next year as the Southern Baptist Convention meets in Dallas.

REVIEW: “Cars 3” one of the most family-friendly films you”ll ever see





For years, Lightning McQueen dominated the Piston Cup circuit. He’d zoom past cars at will, celebrate in the winner’s circle, and then remind everyone that he ate “losers for breakfast.”

Today, though, our legendary champ is like so many other pro athletes who compete beyond their prime. He just doesn’t have it anymore.

Thanks to advances in technology, the newest cars are slicker, smarter and faster.

“The racing generation is changing,” we are told.

One car that has benefited from the changes is rookie Jackson Storm, who has won multiple races and reminds everyone of a younger Lightning McQueen. His speeds regularly top 210 mph. And Lightning’s? A mere 198.

The losses are embarrassing enough for Lightning, but things get even worse during one race when he blows a tire, flips several times and wrecks in what appears to be a career-ending crash.

Cars 3 (G) opens this weekend, recounting the latest exploits of such favorites as Lightning (Owen Wilson), Sally (Bonnie Hunt) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), along with a new cast of talking car characters.  

One of the newbies is Cruz (Cristela Alonzo), a racing wannabe-turned-personal trainer who has been given the assignment to get Lightning back on the road by using the same groundbreaking technology that has made Jackson Storm so dominant. She’s perky, yes, but also clueless, and Lightning is left wondering if he should just do it all alone.

Here’s the bad news about Cars 3: It’s not as good as its predecessors. But there’s plenty of good news: It’s still quite entertaining and is among the cleanest, most family-friendly films you’ll ever see.

It even comes with a few solid lessons about life.

Warning: spoilers!

Violence/Disturbing

Nothing, other than a few car wrecks (one involving Lightning, another involving a retired driver as seen in film footage, and still another in a demolition derby).

Sexuality/Sensuality

One passing joke about “fast women” (told in reference to a car). Nothing else.

Coarse Language

None. One reference to a car’s “butt” (bumper) during a race. Lightning also says, “life’s a beach, and then you drive”—while he’s on the beach.

Christian Images/Dialogue

None.

Life Lessons

Lightning McQueen’s reaction to his wreck—and his elimination from the Piston Cup series—is not unlike how we often react to adversity. He sulks. He sits around. He watches tapes of past races, thinking of what might have been. (He does all of this in his gray primer coat—his version of a bathrobe.)

It isn’t until his friends encourage him that his outlook on life changes. “I miss you Lightning,” one says. Essentially, they do what Scripture tells us to do: “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). That’s a good lesson for our kids.

Later, after Lightning talks down to Cruz and makes fun of her career choice, he apologizes and displays an impressive level of humility. Lightning’s ability to put others first, particularly Cruz, plays a key role in the film’s final minutes. There’s also a lesson about mentoring.

Worldview

Too often, Hollywood movies, particularly animated ones, carry a similar theme. It goes something like this: Dream big, never give up, and you’ll succeed. Some will say that’s what happens in Cars 3. But I would argue just the opposite. Cars 3 does not end the way we all guessed it would, and that’s good. This isn’t La La Land or even Star Wars (1977).

Sure, there’s a happy ending in Cars 3, but it’s not the one we imagined. I like that. Life doesn’t always work out the way we hoped it would, and often, there are detours and roadblocks. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control (Isaiah 14:24) and has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

Family-Friendly?

If only every animated film was this clean. There were no crude jokes. No potty humor. No coarse language. Thank-you, Pixar! I took my 9-year-old and 5-year-old sons and had no regrets. It’s family-friendly.

Thumbs Up … Or Down?

I didn’t laugh as much in this one as I did in Cars and Cars 2. The middle of the movie, in particular, is a bit dull. Perhaps I needed more Mater. But it recovers quickly and has a solid ending. This one gets a big “thumbs up.” There’s also a Pixar short film, prior to the movie, that has a nice anti-bullying message.  

Discussion Questions

1. Would you have made the same decision Lightning made at the end of the movie?  

2. Do you think it was difficult for Lightning to do what he did? Why or why not?

3. How does mentoring benefit young adults and teens? How does it benefit older adults?  

4. What do you think about the trend in movies with lead heroines?  

Entertainment rating: 3.5 out of 5. Family-friendly rating: 5 out of 5.

Cars 3 is rated G.

Ezell seeks “Gospel Conversation Resurgence” in report to trustees

PHOENIX – Now that the North American Mission Board has been “completely transformed” by the Great Commission Resurgence, NAMB President Kevin Ezell told trustees it’s time for another GCR—this time a “Gospel Conversation Resurgence.”

Delivering his report during the plenary session of the June 12 meeting of the board of trustees prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix, Ezell said of the GCR that, “some liked it and some didn’t, but God used it to get us to where we are today.”

Seven years ago NAMB started “beating the drum to focus on church planting,” and now, more than any time in SBC history, churches are so aware of the idea that a banner can hang from church rafters, Ezell said.

That said, with 15,000 of 47,000 churches not baptizing a single person last year, Ezell said part of NAMB’s ministry assignment is to also emphasize the importance of personal evangelism so that people can come to faith in Jesus Christ.

“Everything we do is about sharing our faith so that people will come to know Christ,” Ezell said. “I think it’s one of the best times to be a Southern Baptist. But it’s also a time to help churches focus.”

Ezell said Send Network for church planting and Send Relief will continue, but he also pledged “every ounce of energy that we possibly can in helping our convention see the importance of having gospel conversations.”

NAMB will be producing podcasts and other resources that capture pastors and entity leaders sharing their recent gospel conversations.

“We are going to do everything we have at the North American Mission Board to stir … the passion for evangelism in our churches,” Ezell said. “The North American Mission Board has never baptized anybody. We are not a church. We come alongside of churches; we come alongside associations; we come alongside state conventions. I am thankful for that work. We are not going to step back one inch.”

After hearing a report about Canada, Ezell wondered aloud whether the North American country should be represented on the board. Trustees affirmed a resolution calling for the ad hoc bylaws and policy committee to study and make recommendations to the board regarding its makeup, specifically as it relates to smaller conventions and Canada.

SBC bylaws specify the number of church members each state or territory must have to qualify for trustee representation on various entities, with that number set at 20,000 at both NAMB and the International Mission Board. A trustee subcommittee of the IMB is currently studying the impact of decreasing numbers of Southern Baptists in several states.

The Executive Committee of the SBC addressed the problem by granting exceptions to four areas that lack the number of churches stipulated in Bylaw 30, a move approved by messengers to this year’s annual meeting. A motion referred to NAMB, IMB and LifeWay asked each entity to amend their governing documents to ensure their trustee boards include members from each state convention.

NAMB board chairman Mark Dyer of Plano recognized the value of hearing how a sister entity handled the matter but stated, “We ought to be a group and a body making these decisions on our own.”

The board elected new officers, including Stephen “Spike” Hogan of Jacksonville, Fla., as chairman; Danny Wood of Birmingham, Ala., as first vice chairman; and Daniel de Armas of Orlando as second vice chairman.

3 keys for discipling unchurched women

For the past 15 years, God has planted our family in places with hard soil—places hostile to the gospel and rife with the weeds of biblical illiteracy. This type of soil has become increasingly common as secular philosophies encroached on the Bible belt and gave rise to a segment of the population that goes by many names: ‘unchurched,’ ‘de-churched’ or even ‘nones.’

Serving overseas and in a North American church plant, we were forced to operate outside the typical ministry toolshed to these populations. Sometimes we got it right, and sometimes we got it dreadfully wrong. But, over time, God gave me three very important lessons for rethinking discipleship among unchurched women.  

1. CONCENTRATE ON SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

When unchurched women come to Christ, they start their Christian walk from scratch, lacking both a shared worldview and language of faith. 

When we lived overseas, our discipleship efforts began with the larger story of the Scriptures—creation, fall, redemption and restoration—which provided a framework for helping women understand their identity in Christ and role in his story. This approach was easily replicated and helped us sidestep the inadvertent transmission of our own American church sub-culture.

Similarly, while discipling unchurched women in the northern U.S., we discovered that healthy spiritual roots were best developed by teaching women what Christ had done in and for them rather than what they were supposed to do next. This approach grounded women in truth before moving them into fruit-bearing discipleship. It reduced the temptation for them to manufacture the fruit of obedience in their own strength without first understanding its purpose and power.

So, when an unchurched woman came to Christ, we focused on three areas of biblical instruction:

  • Who she is (her identity in Christ)
  • What she believes (how to study God’s Word)
  • What she does (kingdom living)

Whatever the cultural context, an unchurched woman must receive adequate spiritual nourishment to remain rooted in her faith when harsh conditions come her way. Intentional discipleship must ground women in the truth of salvation, teach them to feast on the Scriptures and help them discover their places in God’s story for the world. 

2. CULTIVATE LONG-TERM FRUIT

When I began piecing together a discipleship strategy for unchurched women, I canvassed the women in our church plant’s core group. I discovered most of them had never been formally discipled, and only a few said they felt competent to make disciples.

Too often, we assume discipleship is already happening or even that our people know how to disciple. Discipleship must not be delegated to Sunday school classes or life groups without giving leaders a clear picture of what discipleship is and how to make disciples. 

Many women show up on Sundays overcommitted and overstressed. Because of this, churches must grapple with fitting special events into their overall discipleship strategy.

A retreat or tea can serve a good purpose yet still not produce lasting spiritual fruit unless it equips attendees to live out the gospel in their own context. A weary soul uplifted at a retreat can succumb to the flesh when life gets hard again. The seeking woman who jumps from one feel-good Bible study to the next may stop attending church altogether when she hears something she doesn’t like from the pulpit. 

Biblical women’s ministries produce long-term fruit by equipping a woman to sow gospel seeds where she’s been planted. Few churches, however, have a formal discipleship strategy for women—complete with a model, goals, measurables and a clear path forward for new disciples and their disciplers.

Discipleship should include more than what we’re teaching women but also encompass how we’re teaching it and the order in which it’s being taught. 

Connecting women to the body of Christ means more than offering a mentoring program. Mentoring is not the same thing as replicating disciples. Clearer guidelines are needed to anchor women’s ministries to the greater mission of the church.

3. CONNECT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST 

Unchurched women often struggle to find their place in church. If they are single or divorced, traditional ministries to women often widen the gap. Women’s ministry leaders must work with pastoral staff to connect these women to the greater body of Christ. 

Connecting women to the life of the church, however, entails more than finding them a place to serve. Women must also understand their role in God’s mission and use their unique gifts in fulfilling the Great Commission. 

Connecting women to the body of Christ means more than offering a mentoring program. Mentoring is not the same thing as replicating disciples. Clearer guidelines are needed to anchor women’s ministries to the greater mission of the church. 

Women’s ministries need systems for helping unchurched women develop deep roots. This strategy must begin immediately after conversion, encompass one-on-one discipleship relationships, and include knowledge of their role in the church and redemptive history—to make more disciples.