Illinois Baptist Nov. 1-3 eeting nnual M
IBSA A
le ardsvil in Edw e w insid
previe Special
Why are we angry? Table Talk with Heath Tibbetts P. 13
Neighbors
mission
The people in our neighborhoods are changing. How churches are reaching them.
There shall be buckets of blessings
A STATEWIDE MISSION PROJECT
P. 7
P. 5
P. B-2
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
OCTOBER 1, 2022
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Springfield, Illinois Permit No. 964
Leatherwood elected
ERLC trustees tap interim as new president
Vol. 116 No. 10
IllinoisBaptist.org
sbc news
IB
Nashville, Tenn. | Brent Leatherwood says he senses a new spirit of cooperation among Southern Baptists. Previously “people were quick to criticize…to assume the worst,” he said. “My sense is that may be diminishing…. I think Baptists are realizing we can work together and be a voice that helps improve the situation” in the LEATHERWOOD current culture. If that’s the case, it will benefit Leatherwood as he takes the reins permanently at an SBC entity whose previous leadership was called fractious. Leatherwood was elected to head the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission at the ERLC Trustees fall meeting in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 13. His nomination and approval came after a year as Acting President following the resignation of Russell Moore. Moore had
opposed leaders of the SBC Executive Committee (EC) over their handling of sexual abuse claims in SBC churches. Before that Moore drew fire from pastors and leaders who opposed his political positions on immigration and other Trump administration policies. Leatherwood will spend his early days rebuilding relationships. “I’m actually going to be speaking to pastors across the SBC to listen to them, hear from them” before speaking on behalf of 14 million Southern Baptists, he told Baptist editors. Leatherwood came to the ERLC staff in 2017 after four years as Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party. He was first Director of Strategic Partnerships, then Vice President of External P. 4 RELATED STORY ON P. 5: Abortions, clinics increase in Illinois
My flowers for the Queen
Meredith Flynn P. 15
NATE ADAMS
What do you say? Lessons from 2-year-olds P. 2
IBSA NEWS
‘Shifts’ required Looking ahead at 2023, and abuse prevention P. 3
SALARY STUDY
Inflation hits pastors Only support staff keep up P. 6