Racial Reconciliation Sunday bulletin inserts available

By BP Staff

NASHVILLE — The Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has provided bulletin inserts for Racial Reconciliation Sunday, which is Feb. 23 in the SBC.

“Racial Reconciliation Sunday is a powerful reminder of our calling as the body of Christ to reflect his love and unity in a divided world,” Pastor Micah Gaston said in a piece at erlc.com. “As followers of Jesus, we celebrate the beauty of every nation, tribe, and tongue and commit together to be help churches actively pursue racial unity and healing in their communities and beyond.”

To read Gaston’s piece about serving in a city “scarred by its racial history” and to download the bulletin insert, go here.

Pastoral wellness leaders collaborate for resilient ministers

By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources

DALLAS — More than 60 pastoral wellness leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) — representing the four historic boards and all six seminaries of the SBC, along with many local associations and state conventions — gathered at GuideStone to collaborate on identifying and finding solutions to pastors’ top challenges and well-being needs.

“The success of a church is deeply connected to the well-being of ministers — financially, physically and emotionally,” GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck told attendees in opening remarks. “We have learned through 107 years of ministry that financial wellness is a leading indicator of overall pastoral well-being.”

GuideStone shared new research the enterprise conducted last year among members that found pastors overwhelmingly wished they had started saving for retirement earlier. That research and feedback from the Southern Baptist entity’s first Pastoral Wellness Summit in 2023 led GuideStone to create a resource hub with articles, videos, workbooks and other content that can help them and their churches be more financially secure and resilient.

“In three hours of listening sessions, leaders identified top challenges pastors face: isolation, financial stress, burnout, leadership struggles and mental health,” said Mark Dance, director of pastoral wellness at GuideStone. “They need friendships, mentorship and intentional community. No pastor should — or has to — go it alone. One of the great strengths of our Southern Baptist family is our interconnectedness amid autonomy.” 

Three panel discussions included representatives of Southern Baptist entities who discussed key findings in their own efforts to encourage minister and missionary resilience and representatives of all six seminaries who discussed their findings among their 25,000 current students enrolled nationwide.

Speakers indicated a desire for more pastoral longevity — ultimately finishing well in the ministry they have received from the Lord.

“To help pastors serve effectively in the work to which they have been called requires intentional investment,” Dance said. “Encouraging rest, retreats and sustainable ministry rhythms will help pastors start well, stay well and finish well.”

Brotherhood’s Kingdom Advancing Grant application now open

By Brotherhood Mutual Staff

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — What gap could your church fill with a portion of the $150,000 available through the Kingdom Advancing Grant? That’s what the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation  is hoping to find out. A total of $150,000 in Kingdom Advancing Grants  is being awarded to church programs that not only help solve a problem in their community, but also connect people to Jesus.

“We’re looking for churches that are doing something creative and unique in how they are extending love and support to people in need within their community,” said Kathy Bruce, director of the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation. “The program should be sustainable, with a well-thought-out strategic plan. And it must be something that other churches can replicate.”

Apply January 6 through March 31, 2025, at this link. The granting council will make final decisions by July 31, 2025. The granting council is made up of more than a dozen pastors, administrators and executive leaders from some of the most influential churches and ministries around the country. In addition to the funding allotted to them, some recipients also receive a year of mentorship from members of the granting council.

Over the past three years, 18 church programs have received grants, with nine being awarded last year. Those grants ranged from $4,000 to $35,000. Number of grants awarded each year varies, based on the scope and financial need of the projects.

Eligibility 

The grant is designed to support church programs or initiatives that demonstrate the following:

• Directly overseen by a church based in the continental U.S.
• Intended to help build the kingdom by introducing people to Jesus or strengthening their relationship with Jesus.
• Involves a unique idea that’s innovative, creative and new, and that other churches are not already doing.
• Can be sustained over time. 
• Can be replicated by other churches. 

For an initiative or program to be considered eligible for a Kingdom Advancing Grant, it must be directly overseen by a Christian church that meets each of the following requirements:

• A tax-exempt charitable organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• In good standing with the IRS; If the 501(c)(3) tax exemption was previously revoked by the IRS, it must have been reinstated for at least one full year prior to applying for the Kingdom Advancing Grant.
• Based in the continental U.S. 

To see if your church is eligible to apply and to learn more about the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recipient programs, visit brotherhoodmutual.com/foundation/grant-requirements. Potential applicants also can watch a video hosted by Kathy Bruce, where she gives insight about writing an exceptional grant application.