The hardest part about witnessing is turning a casual conversation into a spiritual one. Someone I once heard called it, “Going from golf to God.”  ALEXANDRIA (BP) – The hardest part about witnessing is turning a casual conversation into a spiritual one. Someone I once heard called it, “Going from golf to God.” As an obedient follower of Christ, I should want to have these kinds of conversations. The key is to think about ways to do so in advance. It’s not incredibly difficult, but like a high school boy learning how to ask a girl to a movie, it helps to plan ahead. Let me share with you a new way I am learning to do this. It’s based on three questions that I learned from an evangelism strategy called CROSS Training. Question number one is an ice-breaking question. “What is the most important thing I need to know about you today?” I asked a young lady this question the other day and she told me she got engaged over the weekend. I had a great time listening to her recount this wonderful event and she loved telling it. I particularly like to use these questions in a restaurant. After I get the answer to the first question, I tell the person helping me, “I’ve got another question to ask you. I don’t know if you can … [Read more...]

The hours are long, and the work is hard, but for bivocational pastors, it is their calling. STATEWIDE –  The hours are long, and the work is hard, but for bivocational pastors, it is their calling. And there is a growing demand for bivos as many smaller churches – consisting of 125 members or less –  do not have the numbers or the finances to be able to afford a full-time pastor. In Louisiana, there are 1,600 Baptist churches, of which 1,200 are considered to be ‘smaller’ churches. More than half  (900) of those churches have bivocational pastors leading them. “It is amazing number,” said Gary Mitchell, bivocational/smaller church strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “And we have some very amazing men here in Louisiana doing the work of God. “In the Southern Baptist Convention, there are 44,000 churches and 24,000 bivocational pastors,” Mitchell said. Jesus was not a fully compensated pastor, nor a denominational employee. The Apostle Paul, a tent maker, was also bivocational. God has shown he uses bivocationals ministers to effectively do his work. Statistics show bivocationals have, on an average, a higher baptism rate than full-time pastors (4.3 to 3.9) and, on average, have a higher enrollment … [Read more...]

Two online learning initiatives – a degree completion program and the creation of the center for online theological education – were announced by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley during an Oct. 10 meeting of NOBTS’ trustees.  NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Two online learning initiatives –  a degree completion program and the creation of the center for online theological education – were announced by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley during an Oct. 10 meeting of NOBTS’ trustees. “We are passionately committed to making theological education as accessible as possible for God-called Southern Baptists,” Kelley said. “We want to strengthen our [course] offerings through the Internet.” The degree completion program, administered by Leavell College, the seminary’s undergraduate school, allows students who have completed an associate degree through NOBTS to earn a bachelor of arts in Christian ministry. While much of the completion program can be attained through online studies, a minimum number of on-campus, short-term courses also are required. “We are excited about the opportunity to help students complete a bachelor of arts through Leavell College while maintaining the … [Read more...]

She lives in a glass house. WOODWORTH – She lives in a glass house. Her appearance, parenting skills, relationships, overt spirituality, and work ethic are tirelessly scrutinized. Multiple expectations often leave her feeling inadequate and vulnerable. She is a minister’s wife. “I’m always introduced as the pastor’s wife,” one woman complained. “Sometimes I want to shout, ‘I have a name, you know.’” She was in attendance at the annual Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat hosted by the Louisiana Baptist Convention each October at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. At the event, faithful pastoral helpmates have an opportunity to share the unique blessings and challenges that come with their role. Their stories are as varied as their looks. Some were called into ministry before they married and judged prospective suitors by the call God had on their lives. Others were determined never to marry a minister; these were usually the children of ministers. God married them off and then called their spouses. Some had been in the ministry for most of their married lives. Others were called late in life, perhaps even after retirement from a secular job. What most shared were two desires: 1) the freedom to be oneself, … [Read more...]

Jamila Brewer was one of 49 people baptized recently in the Ouachita River by First Baptist West Monroe. Jamila Brewer was one of 49 people baptized recently in the Ouachita River by First Baptist West Monroe. “This was an exciting day in the life of our church,” says Kaye Cloessner, outreach associate. “Our church fellowship turned out in record numbers. We had over 800 people attend.” First West baptized 198 people in the 2006-07 church year that ended Aug. 31. John Avant is pastor. … [Read more...]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – Is preaching still central to Christian worship? This question is asked again and again as contemporary evangelicalism is observed. How can this be up for question? LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – Is preaching still central to Christian worship? This question is asked again and again as contemporary evangelicalism is observed. How can this be up for question? In some circles, preaching has fallen on hard times. An open debate is now being waged over the character and centrality of preaching in the church. At stake is nothing less than the integrity of Christian worship and proclamation. How did this happen? Given the central place of preaching in the New Testament church, it would seem that the priority of biblical preaching should be uncontested. After all, as John A. Broadus – one of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s founding faculty – famously remarked, “Preaching is characteristic of Christianity. No other religion has made the regular and frequent assembling of groups of people, to hear religious instruction and exhortation, an integral part of Christian worship.” Yet, numerous influential voices within evangelicalism suggest that the age of the expository sermon is now past. In its place, some … [Read more...]

Have you ever opened the mail and discovered a special invitation to a significant event? Have you ever opened the mail and discovered a special invitation to a significant event? Perhaps it was an invitation to a wedding or graduation or even an inauguration. If it was logistically possible, Patty and I would send every messenger from every church a personal invitation to this year’s Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. We hope every church will determine to send its full complement of messengers to this year’s Convention. The Lord has done great things among our churches and through our cooperative ministries. We have much to celebrate about the greatness of our God at work through His people. All we have to do is look back over our shoulder to our humble beginnings in 1848 and recognize how God has powerfully used the cooperation of Louisiana Baptists to touch our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. While we celebrate, we also have some very important issues to communicate with you about the work that is yet to be done. Like many other places in North America, the lostness in our state is overwhelming and yet we sense a yearning in the heart of our churches for God-breathed revival … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA –  Emmanuel Baptist’s Heritage Club is to host Theron Jones of the Central Louisiana Red Cross as guest speaker at the 12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, meeting. A First Aid and CPR Training course is set for 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Pre-registration is required. Chris Thacker is pastor. BATON ROUGE – A trip to Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is set for Friday, Oct. 26, by First Baptist. Burn Page is pastor.  BATON ROUGE – A Fall Family Gathering was held at Broadmoor Baptist, Sunday, Oct. 21. A Men’s Fall Prayer Breakfast is set for Saturday, Oct. 27. Major Stephen Long of the Baton Rouge Salvation Army is to be the guest speaker. Reservations are needed for the event. Children three years – 5th grade are to participate in the  church’s Trunk or Treat at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. All children and adventuresome adults are encouraged to wear non-scary costumes and prizes are to be awarded for best adult costumes. DENHAM SPRINGS – Hebron Baptist is to conduct a “Fall Distribution Blitz” and “Prayer Walk” in area neighborhoods at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. Packets will contain a fall festival flyer, Upward Basketball and Cheerleading form and church services/information brochure. Joe Alain is … [Read more...]

Former cottage dad Don Estep sorts through food gathered during the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home’s 2007 Fall Food Roundup. Former cottage dad Don Estep sorts through food gathered during the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home’s 2007 Fall Food Roundup. Between Sept. 17 and Oct. 16, LBCH cottage dads drove across the state to pick up food collected by local churches. This year, 361 churches participated in the food drive. Food collected during Fall Food Roundup is used to feed the boys and girls of LBCH for an entire year. Items still needed are: syrup, cooking oil, ziplock bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, dishwashing liquid. “Our children are blessed daily by the efforts of Louisiana Baptists during Fall Food Roundup,” says Executive Director Perry Hancock. “This support helps us meet needs and share God’s love with hurting children. We are sincerely thankful to all who faithfully participate each year.” … [Read more...]

Youth are to take youngsters through a maze in various parts of the church that are to depict earth, heaven and hell. First Baptist Baker produces a fall festival each year for children of the church and community. This year from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, the youth are to take the youngsters through a maze in various parts of the church that are to depict earth, heaven and hell. Dennis Allen is pastor; Amelia Pilcher is youth minister. … [Read more...]