In the wake of the COVID-19 virus and amid other declining metrics, Southern Baptist Convention institutions have enacted budget cuts for the 2020-2021 budget year. LifeWay eliminated its World Changers mission projects for this summer and closed all future operations due to declining numbers. The entity also announced a series of budget freezes, cutbacks, and […]
LifeWay cancels June camps in response to coronavirus
LifeWay Christian Resources announced that FUGE, StudentLife, Student Life for Kids and CentriKid camps, as well as World Changers projects scheduled for June have been canceled due to concerns stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. “We’ve been closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and following the guidance of government and health authorities to ensure we […]
LifeWay announces budget cuts, staff reductions amid COVID-19
LifeWay Christian Resources is implementing a series of budgetary freezes, cutbacks and staff reductions in response to the economic crisis resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. LifeWay CEO Ben Mandrell cited a steep and steady decline of sales since mid-March, as well as uncertainty in the ability to host camps and events this summer as […]
Ridgecrest for sale following special-called meeting of LifeWay trustees
LifeWay Christian Resources trustees have authorized exploring the sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps despite the conference center and camps operating at a profit in recent years. The trustee board’s executive committee presented the recommendation to the full board during a special-called meeting held virtually and in executive session April 23. The board […]
Livestreaming Services Hasn’t Been Option for Many Churches
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for groups during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people (the CDC later changed this to 10 people or less) for eight weeks. As churches scramble to make decisions on how to move forward, new research finds many congregations are […]
Denying self is key to serving Christ, most churchgoers say
A majority of Protestant churchgoers believe making sacrificial decisions to serve Christ is essential to their faith, and most try to avoid situations that might lead to immoral thoughts or actions, according to a new study. The 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment study from LifeWay Research found two-thirds (66 percent) of Protestant churchgoers agree with the […]
Mandrell to lead LifeWay Christian Resources
LifeWay Christian Resources’ trustees unanimously elected Ben Mandrell as the organization’s 10th president during a special-called meeting June 28 in Atlanta. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead in such an important season for LifeWay,” Mandrell told trustees. “My first priority is to get our family to Nashville and begin loving the people at […]
Ben Mandrell nominated as LifeWay president
Colorado pastor Ben Mandrell has been unanimously recommended as the next president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources by the trustees’ presidential search committee. Mandrell, 42, is the lead pastor of Storyline Fellowship in Arvada, Colo. Trustees will vote on the recommendation during a special called session Friday, June 28, in Atlanta. If elected, Mandrell […]
Abuse aftercare resource available to churches
As more stories of sexual abuse involving evangelical churches and pastors — including the Southern Baptist Convention — come to light, SBC leaders have recognized the need to be responsive and educated in caring for those within their ministries who disclose abuse experiences. LifeWay Christian Resources, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and those working […]
87-year-old pianist achieves dream of publishing song
For the past 15 years, Wynness Thomas has been homebound, battling daily pain from arthritis of the spine and Parkinson’s disease. But this former church pianist and choir member at Tilly Swamp Baptist Church hasn’t let her age or ailments rob her of her love of music. Thomas, 87, is now living out a dream […]