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David and Mike discuss Mike's new book No Contest, which examines the problems of competitiveness, comparisons, and cynicism in the Christian life from a Biblical perspective. No Contest is available now from Regular Baptist Press.

Mike and Bob discuss the many issues surrounding the difficult decision to leave a church.

Mike interviews Steve DeWitt on the subject of Christ's supremacy and beauty.

How should the church corporately and Christians individually think about the COVID-19 crisis? How can we follow Jesus while in a state of lock-down and what resources are available to help us do so? David and Mike discuss these questions in this episode of the Baptist Bulletin podcast.ArticlesWhy We Care about COVID-19 (Mike Hess)Spiritual Stimulus—Finding Renewal in a Time of Mandatory Rest (Mike Hess)COVID-19 and Anxiety (Ryan Frank)How God's Love Helps Us When We Are Afraid (Rob Green)Church Polity and the Coronavirus (Mark Snoeberger)CARES Act Offers Forgivable Loans and Financial Assistance to Churches (Mark Johnson)Educational ResourcesStrong Kids Curriculum at HomeAt-Home Discipleship Resources from Kids4Truth ClubsCOVID-19 and Vacation Bible School

The Magi feature prominently in nativity scenes, Christmas cards, and the imagery typically associated with the Christmas story, but who were they really? In this episode we discuss the historical identity of the Magi and offer some reflections on the account of their visit to the Christ-child in Matthew 2.

This episode features a panel discussion on pastoral recruitment and the call to ministry from the Moving Together for the Gospel conference at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Toledo, Ohio. This was a joint conference of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and Crossroads Fellowship.The following pastors and ministry leaders comprised the speakers panel:Ken Floyd (MDiv, Grace Theological Seminary), executive director of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist ChurchesMike Hess (MMin, Baptist Bible Seminary), national representative of the General Association of Regular Baptist ChurchesDuke Crawford (MA, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary), pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Toledo, OhioPaul Golden (MDiv, Baptist Bible Seminary), executive director of alumni and development, Clarks Summit UniversityDean Taylor (DSM, Northland International University), chair of the pastoral studies department, Faith Baptist Bible CollegeJeremy Pierre (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), associate professor of biblical counseling and chair of the biblical counseling and family ministry department, Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryThomas White (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), president of Cedarville UniversityChuck Pausley, state representative of the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist ChurchesDoug Schroeder, executive director of the Crossroads Fellowship

Mike discusses marriage in ministry with former national representative John Greening and his wife Daria. The Greenings' book on marriage, Love Your Spouse, is available from Regular Baptist Press.

David and Mike discuss the GARBC's proposed updated purpose statement and how it better answers the question, "What is our purpose and our mission?"Current statement (adopted 1972):To maintain an association of sovereign Bible-believing, Christ-honoring Baptist churches; to promote the spirit of evangelism; to spread the gospel; to advance Regular Baptist educational and missionary enterprises at home and abroad; to raise and maintain a testimony to the truth of the gospel and to the purity of the Church; to raise a standard of Biblical separation from worldliness, modernism and apostasy; to emphasize the Biblical teaching that a breakdown of divinely established lines between Bible believers and apostates is unscriptural and to be a voice repudiating cooperation with movements which attempt to unite true Bible believers and apostates in evangelistic and other cooperative spiritual efforts.Proposed new statement (2019):The GARBC exists to glorify God by assisting churches in biblical and dynamic disciple-making as an association of autonomous, Bible-centered, Christ-exalting, gospel-proclaiming Baptist churches. Based on our commitment to doctrinal purity, we collaborate with likeminded ministries that share our beliefs and our passion for making disciples of Jesus Christ.Older Purpose Statements:1934–1948To spread the Gospel, advance Missionary enterprises, do Evangelistic work, provide fellowship for Baptist Churches.1949–1971To spread the Gospel, advance Baptist missionary enterprises, promote evangelism and provide Fellowship for Baptist Churches. (This statement governs the policy of the Association only, and in no wise makes mandatory any like policy in any fellowshipping church).

Prophecy, speaking in tongues, healing, and other signs and wonders are a source of frequent conflict and disagreement among Christians. How should Regular Baptists understand and think about this issue? David and Mike make a case for cessationism and Biblical sufficiency in this episode, and discuss some of the practical ramifications that flow from this viewpoint.Additional Resources:November/December 2018 Baptist BulletinSpeaking in Tongues and Divine Healing, by Robert LightnerCharismatic Confusion, by Ernest Pickering

Pat Nemmers (pastor of Saylorville Church, Des Moines, Iowa) and Chuck De Cleene (pastor of evangelism and outreach, New City Church, Ankeny, Iowa) discuss the importance of evangelism and how Christians can overcome some common evangelistic inhibitors.

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of a coming Kingdom? And how should Christians understand the Church's relationship to that Kingdom? David Gunn discusses these questions with Andy Woods, author of The Coming Kingdom.

Mike chats with Mark Vroegop, lead pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis, about a variety of issues including pastoral ministry, worship, and lament.

How should Bible-believing Christians understand ecclesiastical separation? What about the issue of secondary separation? In this episode we discuss these issues, keeping in mind that our guiding authority is God's Word and our ultimate goal is God's glory.

What does it mean to worship according to Scripture? How should Christians approach the subject of worship? Jon Jenks, state representative for the Wisconsin Association of Regular Baptist Churches, is our guest as we consider these vital questions.Be sure to join us at the GARBC conference in Iowa this June for a more detailed look at the essence of worship!

Should Baptists celebrate Lent? Mike and David discuss this question by examining the history of Lent, New Testament teachings on food, fasting, and spirituality, and the sacramental context in which Lenten observance usually occurs.

In this episode we interview Mike Hess on challenges facing the Church today and the importance of authorial intent in the interpretation of Scripture.

In this inaugural episode of the Baptist Bulletin podcast, we discuss what it means to be a Regular Baptist and give a quick overview of the history and purpose of the GARBC and its network of ministries.