It is an average Sunday at First Baptist Church in Columbia, Missouri, when fourth grader Gideon steps up to the lectern and says, “As the bell is rung, I invite you to center yourself in worship.” Then he reaches for the handbell and calls us to worship. Gideon has been ringing...
A Voice for Singing at FBC! In Martin Shaw's classic anthem "With A Voice of Singing," the composer adapts text from Isaiah, calling God's people to "declare ye this and let it be heard: Alleluia!," meaning "praise" or "adore." How blessed are we at First Baptist of Columbia? In a day and...
What Is a Church? As a pastor, I've become increasingly fascinated by a simple question: What is a church? At first, the answer seems obvious. A church is a community of people who follow Jesus and worship the God whom Jesus revealed. But the longer I serve in ministry, the more I realize...
