Christians live in an age where there is a gap between “what is” and “what should be.” Unfortunately, we do not fully know what “what is” really is. By Thom S. Rainer President, LifeWay Christian Resources Christians live in an age where there is a gap between “what is” and “what should be.” Unfortunately, we do not fully know what “what is” really is. We do not truly understand the health of our churches, the level of commitment of their members, or the level of impact churches are having in their communities. As a result churches become inefficient in reaching the spiritually lost with the gospel. We do come closer to having an idea of what should be, but we don’t know how to close the gap. LifeWay Research will help churches, Christians, culture and the unchurched clearly identify their respective realities. Additionally, LifeWay Research will propose ways to close the gap so that what should be becomes the new “what is.” I announced the launch of LifeWay Research a couple weeks ago at LifeWay’s semi-annual trustee meeting, six days after officially becoming LifeWay Christian Resources’ ninth president. I do not state this lightly: My goal is to make LifeWay Research the premier Christian … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Looking to God and not to headlines, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee prayed Feb. 20 for the work of the SBC’s two mission boards. By Art Toalston Baptist Press editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Looking to God and not to headlines, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee prayed Feb. 20 for the work of the SBC’s two mission boards. Addressing controversies that have buffeted the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board in recent weeks, EC President Morris H. Chapman asked EC chairman and California pastor Rob Zinn to lead in a time of prayer for the two entities. The IMB had called for the removal of one of its trustees over accountability issues, but the board’s executive committee recently called for the request to be dropped in light of accountability guidelines to be proposed by a trustee committee. NAMB, meanwhile, has challenged the accuracy and fairness of an analysis piece in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention, alleging deficiencies in the entity’s work in evangelism and church planting and its retention of fulltime missionaries. NAMB also challenged the paper’s … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Director of Missions Fellowship met Feb. 21 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville for its quarterly meeting. The gathering was characterized by warm fellowship and an emphasis on ministry. By Kelly Boggs Editor PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Director of Missions Fellowship met Feb. 21 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville for its quarterly meeting. The gathering was characterized by warm fellowship and an emphasis on ministry. Following a light lunch, Fellowship president, Herb Dickerson – DOM for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Associations – provided leadership for a program that included updates on recovery efforts in New Orleans as well as introductions to ministries taking place in Louisiana. Joe McKeever, DOM of BAGNO, the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, indicated the situation is still very difficult in the Crescent City. “If you really want to hurt someone in our city,” McKeever said, “just say to them, ‘I hear things are back to normal in New Orleans.’” Freddie Arnold, a church planter missionary with BAGNO, whose responsibilities now include coordinating the disaster relief and recovery operations, reported there is still much … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – For 10 years, David Crosby tried to get the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to consider the Crescent City. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS – For 10 years, David Crosby tried to get the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to consider the Crescent City. The pastor of First Baptist Church of New Orleans was chairman of an interfaith effort to make that happen, but somehow, it never did. “I think the Graham name is the name that is most able to unite the largest number of people in the New Orleans area for a spiritual event,” Crosby said. But because not enough of a cross-section of the Christian community would commit to being involved, the Graham organization said the time wasn’t right. Then Katrina hit, and within days Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse organization was on the ground, with chaplains, food and water. “They have made a long-term commitment to the Gulf Coast,” Crosby said. Some of the pastors spoke to Franklin Graham about the 10-year effort, and by November, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association agreed to fully underwrite a festival now set for March 11-12 in the New Orleans Arena, which seats 18,500. In late January, Crosby … [Read more...]

WEST MONROE – Three weeks after Claiborne Baptist Church here closed its doors forever, Faith Baptist Church was born. In all, 35 people participated in the first service of the new start; the charter rolls remained open until March 1. WEST MONROE – Three weeks after Claiborne Baptist Church here closed its doors forever, Faith Baptist Church was born. In all, 35 people participated in the first service of the new start; the charter rolls remained open until March 1. “This is a work God has been doing for three years,” said founding pastor Mike Thompson. “I wouldn’t have tackled this on my own for a million dollars, but it’s exciting to see what God is doing.” Claiborne Baptist started in 1951 as Nelson Baptist, and was renamed Claiborne Community in the mid-1970s when what some said was a charismatic faction took over. The North Louisiana congregation dwindled by 1981 to five families, and after a two-year legal tussle, the property reverted to Southern Baptists. Twenty years after that, the congregation asked Thompson to lead a mid-week Bible study; four months later, he was called as pastor. Since then the congregation has made great strides in spiritual maturity, and has begun to witness in the … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – With an emphasis on “frangelism,” Pastor Fred Luter led the 8,314 pre-Katrina resident members of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church to baptize 309 people in the 2004-05 church year. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS – With an emphasis on “frangelism,” Pastor Fred Luter led the 8,314 pre-Katrina resident members of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church to baptize 309 people in the 2004-05 church year. Other leaders included Airline Baptist, Bossier City, an 837-member congregation, with 128 baptisms; Lighthouse Baptist, Shreveport, a 200-member congregation, with 58 baptisms; and Crossroads Community in Kenner, a 108-member congregation, with 56 baptisms. The evangelism team of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Feb. 22 released tentative figures for baptisms in the 2004-05 church year. The “tentative” was because with the destruction of New Orleans, many records were lost that might have changed final totals, said Wayne Jenkins, evangelism team leader. In all, 12,586 people are known to have made their faith public by being baptized in Louisiana Baptist churches during the 2004-05 reporting year. “We’re excited about what God has done through the ministry of Louisiana … [Read more...]

TIOGA – I was at the evangelism conference when a man offered me his business card. “You look like someone who would like my church,” said Clark Taylor, pastor of Faith Baptist. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor TIOGA – I was at the evangelism conference when a man offered me his business card. “You look like someone who would like my church,” said Clark Palmer, pastor of Faith Baptist. What a line – but I was hooked by my curiosity. And what a blessing I received from Sunday morning worship with the warm-hearted folks of Faith. They meet in a simple, first-unit building with a wooden cross behind the baptistry,  four stained-glass windows on either side of the building, and pews, even. Truly I felt like I was in church. “Father, we come today to reconnect with you, and to fellowship with each other,” prayed the pastor with a Ph.D. who calls himself “Brother Clark.” We sang a medley of older choruses, and then hymns such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Sweet Sweet Spirit.” Much as I loved these songs many churches have gotten out of the habit of singing I appreciated even more the pastor’s clear words from I Corinthians 13. “Love restrains responses that are harmful,” Palmer preached. … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – After months of delay, Joe Aguillard Ed.D. is to be inaugurated March 22-23 as the eighth president of Louisiana College. PINEVILLE  – After months of delay, Joe Aguillard Ed.D. is to be inaugurated March 22-23 as the eighth president of Louisiana College. Aguillard was elected president in January 2005 but the normal fall convocation of a new president was delayed because of the hurricane damage in New Orleans. “I’m thrilled the Lord has led Dr. Aguillard to lead our college,” said David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which owns the college. “We’re excited about what has already taken place under his leadership. It’s an honor to be part of his inauguration and his leadership of the school.” An inaugural worship service is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in Guinn Auditorium on the college campus, with a reception following. An inaugural convocation is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 23, in Guinn Auditorium with a reception following. A prayerwalk on the campus is set for noon Saturday, March 25. … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Even before out-of-area law enforcement personnel began gathering at the headquarters of Troop B in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the church across the parking lot had offered use of its building for housing, showers and three meals a day for what ended up being about 500 men. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS – Even before out-of-area law enforcement personnel began gathering at the headquarters of Troop B in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the church across the parking lot had offered use of its building for housing, showers and three meals a day for what ended  up being about 500 men. Williams Boulevard Baptist Church was one of several Southern Baptist churches large and small that were in the right place at the right time to help minister to the needs of Katrina victims and First Responders. Their churches will never be the same, and that’s a good thing, pastors say. “We’ve still got a lot of people coming who came during the storm, including several Catholics,” said Jim Caldwell, pastor of Riverside Baptist in River Ridge. “They’re still a bit leery of us, I think, but they see something different here.” The First Responder … [Read more...]

TOLEDO BEND, La. – For spunky, fast-talking, fast-walking Mary Gore, it’s just another Saturday in bass-fishing paradise. Gore is busy doing what she does best. She’s out fishing – not for largemouth bass, but for souls. By Mickey Noah North American Mission Board TOLEDO BEND, La. – For spunky, fast-talking, fast-walking Mary Gore, it’s just another Saturday in bass-fishing paradise. Gore is busy doing what she does best. She’s out fishing – not for largemouth bass, but for souls. To say “Miss Mary” – as she calls herself – has a passion for winning others to Christ, is like saying seafood prepared by Louisiana chefs is just another meal. Both fall into the “gross understatement” category. On this particularly gorgeous Saturday afternoon, she’s making the rounds of about 70 campsites at North Toledo Bend State Park, just outside Zwolle. At each campsite, she’s inviting campers – who’ve come from across the nation – to be her special guests at an 8:30 a.m. worship service the next day. Some Sundays, Gore may lead 30-minute worship services in as many as five different campgrounds. The services may take place in one of the lake’s gazebos or in a local bait and tackle shop. A native of Silsbee, … [Read more...]