Forgive Southern Baptist Convention messengers if they do not grasp all the intricacies of the sole membership issue to be presented to them at the 2005 annual meeting. Forgive Southern Baptist Convention messengers if they do not grasp all the intricacies of the sole membership issue to be presented to them at the 2005 annual meeting. It is not an easy issue. The vote to be put to messengers is straightforward enough – to change the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary charter and approve a legal structure known as sole membership for the institution. A “yes-or-no” vote – it seems simple enough. But the question remains – what does the proposed change mean and why has there been so much talk of it? The background of the issue dates back eight years. (See column to the left) But even in that time, everyone has not been able to get on the same page. SBC Executive Committee leaders support the sole membership move as a uniform way to tie the seminary – and all other agencies – to the convention. They also argue it affords legal protection for the convention so it cannot be attached to a lawsuit affecting an agency. In turn, New Orleans Seminary leaders say the sole membership model is a step … [Read more...]

The son of slain Southern Baptist workers Larry and Jean Elliott said he does not hate the people who killed his parents in Iraq on March 15, 2004. The son of slain Southern Baptist workers Larry and Jean Elliott said he does not hate the people who killed his parents in Iraq on March 15, 2004. Instead, Scott Elliott said he desires to see them saved. In a recent commissioning service at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., Elliott urged a host of missionary families preparing to deploy around the world to love the lost with that same kind of unconditional love. “Somehow, I feel no anger toward those who took my parents’ lives,” Elliott said. “Instead, I long for their salvation. They sent my parents home to their homecoming, and yet, they face something so horrific. “That (love) is the kind of love that God gives, ... and that is the love you’re taking to a lost world.” Larry and Jean Elliott were former Southeastern Seminary students. After more than 25 years of service to Honduras, the Elliotts followed God’s call to a turbulent and unstable Iraq in 2003. The following year, the couple was killed with two other Southern Baptist workers – Karen Watson and David McDonnall … [Read more...]

Week of June 6, 2005 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled almost $16.8 million last month, an increase of $87,611 (0.5 percent) from the previous May. Eight months into the convention’s fiscal year, overall gifts total $132.4 million, an increase of some $2.7 million (2.1 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands $10.3 million (8.5 percent) ahead of budget at this time. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled $26 million last month, an increase of $5 million (24.1 percent) from the previous May. For the year, gifts total $157.3 million, an increase of $4.8 million (3.2 percent) from the same time last year. Bangladesh violence A Baptist lay pastor has been beheaded in Bangladesh, the second Christian leader to lose his life in that country in a year, reports indicate. Dulal Sarkar, 35, was attacked as he returned home from discussing his faith with local villagers. One source later identified the assailants as a group of 10 local Muslim extremists. After reporting the incident, Sarkur’s wife, mother and five children reportedly have been forced to move from place to place in fear for their lives. Local Christians say three arrests have been made, but … [Read more...]

Does your church have unrealistic expectations of its minister(s)? Most surveys indicate it does. Does your church have unrealistic expectations of its minister(s)? Most surveys indicate it does. One carefully conducted survey indicates that to satisfy the minimal expectations of the average church, a pastor would have to work 138 to 145 hours a week! And, the survey does not indicate the level of performance church members expect. Interestingly the size of the church does not matter that much in its expectations. The survey simply asks: “How many hours a week should your pastor work in each area of his responsibilities for you to feel he is doing his job?” Then the survey lists areas such as: • Sermon preparation • Prayer • Bible study • Personal enrichment reading • Vocational enrichment study • Visiting people in the hospital • Visiting shut-ins • Counseling • Preparing for and conducting funerals and weddings • Administration • Denominational work • Community relations • Evangelistic visitation • Prospect visitation • Etc. The survey totaled the minimal number  hours in each category to come up with the minimal number of overall hours it would take to satisfy … [Read more...]

One attending the 2005 Southern Baptist Convention will have a hard time missing the emphasis of the annual meeting. Souls. One attending the 2005 Southern Baptist Convention will have a hard time missing the emphasis of the annual meeting. Souls. The focus of the two-day session set for June 21-22 in Nashville, Tenn., will be the “Everyone Can Kingdom Challenge,” a bold emphasis that has the goal of winning to Christ and baptizing 1 million people in one year. The denomination-wide goal for evangelism is the vision of SBC President Bobby Welch, who emphasized it during a nationwide bus tour and visit to all 50 states and Canada to underscore the importance of evangelism. Video vignettes from that trip, featuring the testimonies of Southern Baptists, will be shown at the annual meeting. “I think we have the potential of having one of the most thrilling meetings we’ve had in a long, long time,” said Welch, pastor at First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Fla., and outgoing president of the Southern Baptist Convention. “The purpose is to create a unity of purpose in the convention and to do so around evangelism, ...” Welch said of the Everyone Can Kingdom Challenge. “It is my view that the … [Read more...]

Jennifer Rothschild wants everyone who attends pre-Southern Baptist Convention Crossover events in a few days to leave infected – with the “evangelism bug” of renewed passion for sharing the gospel. Jennifer Rothschild wants everyone who attends pre-Southern Baptist Convention Crossover events in a few days to leave infected – with the “evangelism bug” of renewed passion for sharing the gospel. “My hope is that the participants will become infected with the evangelism bug – that they’ll realize that this is not as intimidating as it seems, that it will ignite in them excitement ... so that they’ll go home contagious and infect their entire church,” said Rothschild, a popular Bible study author and speaker. Rothschild is set to speak during the closing Crossover rally on June 18 prior to the convention. At that time, she likely will challenge participants to continue meeting the challenge of evangelism. After all, Rothschild knows something of meeting challenges – at the age of 15, she was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that eventually took her sight. She also knows something of evangelism, having grown up helping her preacher/father through the years. During the Crossover rally, Rothschild … [Read more...]

It seems there is yet another way Louisiana may have to pay for its recent infatuation with legalized gambling. It seems there is yet another way Louisiana may have to pay for its recent infatuation with legalized gambling. Opponents of gambling already have a long litany of costs – including the financial and emotional toll it is taking on residents of the state. However, the state now could pay for refusing to expand gambling. The Jena Band of Choctaws filed a lawsuit against Gov. Kathleen Blanco last week, seeking damages for the state’s role in the tribe’s unsuccessful efforts to open a land-based casino. The lawsuit claims that former Gov. Mike Foster entered into a contract with the Jena tribe by saying he would support its efforts to open a casino, only to renege on the deal later. The suit blames the former governor for refusing to honor an agreement with the Indian tribe even after it received federal permission to open a casino in Logansport. Instead, Foster began making additional demands on the tribe. In turn, Gov. Kathleen Blanco has failed to honor the prior agreement as well, instead holding steadfast in her opposition to an expansion of gambling, even if it is an Indian … [Read more...]

Lt. Cmdr. Scott Morton talks on his cellular telephone, navigating through rush hour traffic on a Friday afternoon in New Orleans. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Lt. Cmdr. Scott Morton talks on his cellular telephone, navigating through rush hour traffic on a Friday afternoon in New Orleans. While the average American’s work week usually ends on Fridays at 5 p.m., this Louisiana Baptist’s work week is not yet complete. Throughout the week, Morton’s duties range from counseling numerous servicemen to teaching a suicide prevention class. His weekend schedule then may consist of administering a wedding and leading the prayer at a graduation. This is just a typical week for the 2005 U.S. Coast Guard Chaplain of the Year. “I stay on the road two weeks every month,” Morton explains. “It can be difficult and tiring at times, but I know this is God’s will for my life.” When he is not on the road, Morton could opt to improve his guitar playing skills, his favorite hobby. But he spends any free evening with his wife, Melinda, and two young sons, Garrett and Ethan. “As long as my kids want me around to hang out with them, I’ll be there,” says Morton, a member at Edgewater Baptist Church in New … [Read more...]

The George Lucas universe may be back in balance with the release of Star Wars, Episode III, but a real conflict that began a decade before Darth Vadar drew his first evil breath, still rages. By Lowell Snow Freelance speaker/writer The George Lucas universe may be back in balance with the release of Star Wars, Episode III, but a real conflict that began a decade before Darth Vadar drew his first evil breath, still rages. Worship Wars, Episode I began during the 1960’s Jesus Movement as baby boomers began pushing for radical changes in worship, bringing youth musicals, lively choruses and variety to the order of service. Episode II followed in the eighties and nineties with praise teams, seeker friendly services, and PowerPoint. These changes have helped many churches grow, but survey after survey reveals that the folks in the pew are worldlier now than then. At a time when society is desperate for authentic spirituality, Christians have learned to grow bigger churches but not bigger Christians. What is needed is an Episode III to bring these Worship Wars to a climactic and victorious conclusion. It already may have begun. Evangelical Christianity presently is experiencing a groundswell of … [Read more...]

Exactly what is corporate prayer – and why is it seen as such an important element for the contemporary church? Exactly what is corporate prayer – and why is it seen as such an important element for the contemporary church? Essentially, corporate prayer is the coming together of two or more believers for the purpose of focusing on a specific need or needs. It clearly is a biblical practice, with leaders usually citing Jesus’ statement in Matthew 18:19 – “If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV) Leaders also cite the example of early Christians joining together in constant prayer. One ministry resource describes a benefit of corporate prayer as the setting aside of “personal agendas to hear the heart of God and pray in agreement with him.” Another notes that corporate prayer moves one away from selfishness, helps clarify God’s will and builds a unity of purpose and vision and love among believers. Numerous resources exist related to corporate prayer. Materials are available at LifeWay Christian Bookstores or via the Web site for LifeWay Christian Resources of … [Read more...]