By Communications Staff, LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Compensation for full-time Southern Baptist pastors is rising slightly faster than inflation, but the mounting cost of benefits is forcing churches to provide fewer pastors with medical insurance. These and other findings are part of the SBC Church Compensation Study, a survey of 11,674 staff positions in Southern Baptist churches. LifeWay Research conducted the survey in cooperation with GuideStone Financial Resources and Baptist state conventions through June 2010. All the data acquired by the study has been compiled into a Web-based tool (www.lifeway.com/compensationsurvey) that can help churches as they begin planning staff compensation packages for their 2011 budgets. COMPENSATION Adjusting for church size (see Methodology below), the average full-time Southern Baptist senior pastor’s compensation (salary and housing) rose 0.78 percent between 2008 and 2010. That rate of change was only slightly higher than the compounded 0.67 percent inflation rate for the same two-year period, according to figures supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index. With no adjustments for church size, compensation for other … [Read more...]

By Sam House, LifeWay Communications NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Join God where He is working. That simple premise hasn’t changed during the two-decade history of “Experiencing God,” an interactive Bible study first published in 1990 that taught a radically God-centered way of life. Initially written by Henry Blackaby and Claude King, the material was revised and expanded in 2007 by Richard Blackaby, Henry Blackaby’s son. Now, 20 years since its debut, the workbook is available in more than 45 languages and has sold 7 million copies. Internationally, reader testimonials describe deeper and more intimate understandings of God’s desire for relationships with them that will change their lives forever. On a larger scale, Experiencing God has affected entire organizations, many of which credit the study with helping turn bad situations into good and bringing hope to tragic circumstances. [img_assist|nid=6550|title=Experiencing God|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100] IN PRISON In 1995, Burl Cain became the new warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, arguably the most violent and dangerous prison in America. Knowing how God had used Experiencing God in his own life and believing that real change … [Read more...]

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – International Mission Board trustees moved toward the future while honoring the past during their July 20-21 meeting in Richmond, Va. Trustees formally recognized Jerry Rankin for 40 years of service, and voted unanimously to recommend modifying the IMB's primary ministry assignment to reach people groups globally, including North America. This was Rankin’s final board meeting as IMB president. Trustees awarded Rankin the title of president emeritus and paid tribute to his 23 years on the mission field and 17 years as IMB president during a banquet in his honor. At the meeting, trustees took action on recommendations from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF) report, which was approved by messengers at the SBC annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., in June. Trustees voted unanimously to recommend that the SBC’s Executive Committee modify the IMB’s primary ministry assignment, removing wording that excludes the organization from working with people groups in North America. “The world continues to change, and unreached people groups aren't defined by geographic boundaries,” said Gordon Fort, IMB vice president for global strategy. “Our strategies and structures must also change if we want … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BP) – At a garbage dump on the northern outskirts of Port-au-Prince, gaunt and weary-looking Haitians formed two lines to wait in the searing sun for Buckets of Hope to be unloaded from a truck near Eglise Baptiste Canaan. The church, named for the Promised Land, ironically is planted at the garbage dump where a makeshift city of displaced Haitians has sprung up since the Jan. 12 earthquake. The Buckets of Hope were among the thousands that had been languishing in the capital city’s port for two months before Haitian customs officials, overwhelmed by the processing of other shipments of supplies since the earthquake, would release the shipping containers transporting the buckets. Five containers filled with 6,750 buckets have been released by government officials as of June 25. Thirteen more await release. At the garbage dump, Moreno Robert, pastor of Eglise Baptiste Canaan, coordinated the food distribution to the tent city. “Normally we don’t ask strangers to give food to our families,” he said through a translator. “But since Jan. 12 there is little work so there is little food. We are obliged.” … [Read more...]

MELDER/ALEXANDRIA – When the Women’s Missionary Union group at Pine Ridge Baptist Church learned at their monthly May meeting that the woman they were studying that month was sick, they decided to make her a quilt. Hand-tied lap quilts are one of several ongoing ministries of this WMU group. With each of 60 or more ties per lapquilt, a prayer is given for the recipient. [img_assist|nid=6554|title=Hand-tied lap quilts are one of several ongoing ministries of Pine Ridge Baptist WMU|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]“I have just the fabric – it’s angels,” said Callie Lance when the suggestion was made to make a quilt for Cindy Boney, who is a missionary with multiple sclerosis now serving with her director of missions/church starter strategist husband, Joe Boney, in Tongass Baptist Association, southeastern Alaska. “The quilt is just beautiful,” Cindy Boney said in a telephone conversation on July 26. “It came just when I needed it the most as far as physical strength and just moving to a new place, leaving our children and grandchildren. The realization was setting in how far away we were from family. “The scripture they sent with it – Isaiah 41:10 – along with them saying they prayed for me with each tie, … [Read more...]

Compiled by Joanne Brechtel COMINGS & GOINGS Craig Beeman (wife Susanne), new as pastor at First Baptist, Winnsboro, from Calvary Baptist, Natchitoches. Michael Murray, new as pastor at Haile Baptist, Marion. Richard Abel resigns as pastor at Canaan Baptist, Spearsville. Wendal Dorman (wife Betty), new as pastor at Holden Baptist, Holden. Todd Free, new as pastor at First Baptist, Dubach. NEEDED Youth pastor at First Baptist, Livingston; send resume to First Baptist Church, Attention: Tim Norris, PO Box 610, Livingston LA 70754; Tim Norris, pastor. Part-time music minister at Faith Baptist, New Orleans; send resume to Music Committee, 7902 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans LA 70125. ANNIVERSARIES AND HOMECOMINGS SHREVEPORT – Rose Park Baptist: Anniversary Celebration honoring B. J. Maddox  for 25 years of ministry as pastor 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 8. GREENSBURG – First Baptist: 144th Homecoming 10:30 a.m. Sunday Aug. 10; Jerl Watkins, speaker; Chuck Brown, music; dinner on the grounds. JONESBORO – Ebenezer Baptist: 160th Homecoming 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15; Tuck Roberts, speaker; Tom Williams, music; lunch; Randy Lee, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Amite Baptist: Terry Booth honored for 25 years of ministry as … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor WOODWORTH – The seven FAITH Riders chapters in Louisiana mounted their motorcycles July 24 for their first-ever statewide ministry. In all, 49 riders on 36 motorcycles roared around the recreation area at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center during the last day of the High Pursuit youth camp. The bikers revved their bikes as they rode nearly fender to fender almost menacingly around the 220 seventh- through twelfth-graders, who minutes before had been lounging on the grass. Instinctively the teens began drawing closer to each other for protection, eyes widened in heightened awareness, and still the motorcycles roared. Until they stopped and the bikers disembarked and started walking toward the youth. High Pursuit leaders quickly directed the teens to the nearby basketball court, where the tension eased as Dwayne Rogers, police chief at Louisiana College, stood in jeans and t-shirt and talked about feeling trapped. The only answer is Christ – finding and knowing him, Rogers said. “It was a phenomenal success,” said Matt Coussan, associate director of Tall Timbers. “It was one of those pieces of the puzzle that makes everything fit.” Camp Pastor Casey Johnson didn’t preach … [Read more...]

By Michael B. Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Louisiana College [img_assist|nid=6559|title=Michael Shepherd|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=78|height=100]The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art. From the depiction of Moses (left wall) to the life of Christ (right wall) to the sequence from creation to judgment (ceiling and center wall), it is like walking into the Bible itself. Michelangelo’s artistic portrayals of the events of the Bible are in many ways like the textual renderings of the same events by the biblical authors. Reading of Scripture informed Michelangelo’s work to the extent that the Sistine Chapel has long since occupied an important place within the history of biblical interpretation. One of the most intriguing features of this great work of art is the presentation of the biblical prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Jonah, Zechariah, and Daniel (Matthew 24:15). All but Jeremiah and Jonah have a biblical text of some sort in their hands. This is noteworthy given the fact that the Hebrew Bible as a whole is the product of the prophets (Daniel 9:10; Ezra 9:10-11; Romans 1:2; 16:25-26). Isaiah, for example, has the fingers of his … [Read more...]

By Archie England, PH.D., NOBTS Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew Q: Are there any significant themes that bridge from the Old Testament to the New Testament? A: Yes, four major concepts bridge both Testaments: Creation, Covenant, Kingdom, and Redemption. Though numerous other concepts exist, these four emerge as dominate bridges between the testaments. Creation conveys several key ideas: (1) creation of all things new (Genesis 1-2) versus the new creation of believers in Christ; (2) first Adam (through whom sin entered, Genesis 3) versus second Adam (Jesus, through whom many will gain eternal life, Romans 5:15); and (3) Sabbath, as the seventh day’s rest and adoration of God, further alludes to the eschatological goal of eternal blessing once God has re-created all things new – the heavens and the earth – eradicating the ruin of sin. This event itself Jesus compared to “the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37). Paradise lost will indeed become paradise regained. Covenant controlled most every aspect of Jewish life. One’s relationship with God, others, and even self, was governed by this covenant. Its laws served as instructions for obedience and blessings; its sacrificial system, a means for restoring those who failed to … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer EROS – When most people hear the words “O.K. Corral,” they tend to think of the famous shootout.  In Eros, those words have a different connotation. Pastor Gary Brewster and the congregation of Cowboy Church at the O.K. Corral “shoot” for the souls of those who need Jesus and not at the bodies of hostile enemies, the pastor said. [img_assist|nid=6562|title=Gary Brewster|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]“We’re proud such famous words can be used to symbolize God’s glory rather than just refer to a legendary shootout,” Brewster said. “We love to ride for the Lord.” Brewster talked about the origin of Cowboy Church at the O.K. Corral and revealed how it got its name. “God led us to start this church three and a half years ago,” Brewster said. “The family we bought this piece of property from first invited us to start a church in their home and to use their arena. Purchasing fifteen acres of land, including the arena, was the natural progression. “These people were cowboy-type people who were very active in the western heritage culture in this area. The arena location was well-known since Mrs. McCurdy and her sons were the founders of the Northeast … [Read more...]