Empires of the Future Jackson Van Dyke & Denton Ice

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to encourage the Church in a time of change. 
Law Amendment, In Vitro, Sex Abuse Reform - SBC Annual Meeting 2024 Recap
What is the SBC Annual Meeting?
·         Messengers are elected from churches, starting at 2 per church and adding more dependent on giving to the cooperative program, with a maximum of 12. 
Link to kentuckytoday.com summary:
https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/wrap-up-2024-sbc-annual-meeting/article_f23f9cc4-29b1-11ef-bedb-27acbbb11f5e.html
Link to In Vitro Resolution:
https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-the-ethical-realities-of-reproductive-technologies-and-the-dignity-of-the-human-embryo/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3jYwrmfT7uJ__8qjE1MF9SMCCvGI5rjN5L8Vs1C9mGa4VySOPt2tgq06o_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Link to SBC Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force Ministry Toolkit:
sbcabuseprevention.com
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill 

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to encourage the Church in a time of change. 
We will all suffer.  Life is not suffering, but suffering is a part of life.  In this episode, Jackson interviews Matt Higgins, the worship pastor of Northwoods Church on the north side of Evansville concerning the Doctor of Ministry that Matt is working on at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.  The conversation ranges from trauma and sadness to joy and hope.  It was an encouragement to us, and we hope it will be an encouragement to you. 
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill 

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change. 
“What Good are Children?”
In a recent New York Times opinion piece called “The Birth Dearth and the Smartphone Age”, Ross Douthat speaks to the precipitous fall in the birthrate that marks all of the western world in our day.  
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/04/06/opinion/the-birth-dearth-and-the-smartphone-age/?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral
What are the possible reasons for this decline?  Is modern western culture itself hostile to children?  What good are children, after all?  We consider all these questions and more in this episode of Empires of the Future. 
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change. 
“10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” by Donald Whitney
Donald Whitney, popular author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, also wrote this very helpful book called Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health.  Here are his 10 questions: 
Do you thirst for God? 
Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?
Are you more loving?
Are you more sensitive to God’s presence?
Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?
Do you delight in the Bride of Christ?
Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important for you?
Do you still grieve over your sin?
Are you a quicker forgiver?
Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change. 
“Rest - What it is and How to Do it”
What’s the difference between “rest” and “sleep”?  Why, with all of our modern conveniences and with all the advances in medical care that have taken place over the last hundred years are we seeing such increases in anxiety and struggles with stress, work, and peace?  How much peace does God even want us to have?  All these questions are considered in this episode of Empires of the Future, which uses the Holman Treasury of Key Bible words by E.E. Carpenter and P.W. Comfort (2000) as a references. 
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill

This is Empires of the Future, conversations to understand culture and encourage the Church in a time of change. 
"Five Challenges Now Facing the Church"
Hershael York retired from 43 years of pastoral ministry just a couple of weeks ago in January of 2024.  In an article at Southern Equip, he speaks to five ministry challenges he didn't anticipate in his time as a lead pastor.  In this article he speaks candidly about new challenges facing the church in the twenty-first century and encourages christians to face these issues with courage and wisdom.  
https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/magazine/five-ministry-challenges-i-didnt-anticipate/
"The Empires of the future will be Empires of the Mind." - Winston Churchill