I am writing this column from an International Mission Board (IMB) trustee meeting and missionary appointment service in Richmond, Va. After the trustees close their sessions Wednesday around noon, David Platt has scheduled a press conference for 3 pm to report the number of missionaries who took the Voluntary Retirement Incentive (VRI) and the number who took the Hand Raising Opportunity (HRO). The Biblical Recorder has previously reported that the number of VRI missionaries were expected to be from 600 to 800. HRO estimates were not reported. Platt’s announcement is likely to provide a broad picture of the present financial health of IMB and the resulting future direction of the mission organization. We will be reporting this to you as soon as possible.

Charlotte City Council made a very bad decision for the city Monday night when they approved an ordinance that codifies immorality and eliminates personal privacy in public restrooms and locker rooms. Watch BRnow.org for a story on this and on Governor Pat McCrory’s response. The door is now wide open for other municipalities to follow the same pattern, unless they are more morally astute than the Charlotte council.

Only a few days will pass before the Reveal Disciple-making Conference opens at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro. Did you read my editorial in this week’s Biblical Recorder? I believe disciple-making is the key to spiritual growth, or getting "unstuck" as I wrote. Click here to read it now. You might be able to help a friend who is stuck.

I hope to see you Monday in Greensboro.