ERLC to host online event on Christian political engagement
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention will host an online event April 22 at 1 p.m. CST on “Bringing Hope to an Election Year: Christian Political Engagement in 2024 and Beyond.”
The free event will feature a conversation between ERLC President Brent Leatherwood and Daniel Darling, director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Leatherwood and Darling will discuss what it means to live out Christian convictions in the public square and how to engage in a messy political landscape. They will also give an overview of the issues the ERLC is advocating for this election year and beyond.
Specific issues they plan to discuss include:
- A new chapter of the pro-life movement
- Foreign policy and international conflicts like Ukraine and Israel
- Civic engagement and how to seek the good of neighbors and our communities
Register for the online event here.
Ben Mandrell guest on ‘Road to Indy’ episode
NASHVILLE (BP) – Lifeway Christian Resources President Ben Mandrell joined SBC Executive Committee Interim President/CEO Jonathan Howe on the latest episode of the “Road to Indy” video series leading up to the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
The two discussed Lifeway’s plans for a majorly overhauled exhibit and store area in this year’s annual meeting exhibit hall. The redesigned space will feature different areas geared toward different aspects of church ministry.
“The whole strategy of Lifeway right now is arranged around the key church leaders,” Mandrell said. “So we’re thinking through the lens of a senior pastor, a worship pastor, a children’s minister, a student pastor. And we’re trying to think through what tools can we design that will help them do their jobs.”
The exhibit, which Mandrell said will be “far more beautiful, far more aesthetically pleasing” than the “close-out sale” look of prior years, will feature plenty of Lifeway staff on hand to answer questions and guide visitors through Lifeway products that can help in their ministry contexts.
Each area will feature 30-40 curated Lifeway items designed for specific ministry needs, he said. The exhibit area will also feature free coffee.
“I think it’s really going to be a place where people can come and say, ‘Hey, here’s the struggle I’m having at my church. What do you got in the toolbox?’” Mandrell said.
Lifeway also will host a free screening of the new Kendrick Brothers’ film “The Force” during the Tuesday afternoon dinner break June 11.
