For the week of December 12, 2002 Potpourri • JONESBORO - First church: Sherry Blackwell, former missionary to Brazil, guest speaker; Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.; Matthew D. Wohlfarth, pastor. Youth • ALEXANDRIA - Temple church: Christmas drama/musical; Dec. 15, 6 p.m.; Rachel Langston, youth director; Bill Broadwater, pastor.   • NEW IBERIA - Highland church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Rich Murray, minister of youth; Zack Young, minister of music; Steve Horn, pastor.   • HOUMA - Coteau church: Children’s choir presents "Meet Me at the Manger," Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m.; J. P. Cox, children’s choir director; Steve Neesley, pastor.   • PITKIN - First church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 15, 6 p.m.; Kimmerly Laughlin, director; Stephen Laughlin, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Goodwood church: "What Child Is This?" children’s drama and special music; Dec. 15-16, 7 p.m.; Dana Lux, minister of music; David Campbell, pastor.   • LEESVILLE - East Leesville church: "Yo! Christmas Tree" musical; Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Barry Pounds, minister of music; Gil Arthur, pastor.   • ST. FRANCISVILLE - First church: Children’s choir presents "It All Happened in the … [Read more...]

Do church youth groups serve a beneficial purpose - or are they simply babysitting services for teenagers?   They definitely serve a purpose, a recent report by the National Study of youth and Religion indicates. Do church youth groups serve a beneficial purpose - or are they simply babysitting services for teenagers?   They definitely serve a purpose, a recent report by the National Study of youth and Religion indicates.   Indeed, the report shows that regular religious service attendance, a high emphasis on faith and years spent in religious youth groups are clearly associated with high self-esteem and positive self-attitudes for young people, the report shows.   American 12th graders who participated in religious youth groups for at least six years are more likely to have positive attitudes toward themselves and feel that they have something to be proud of than those who had never participated in youth groups, the recently-released report concludes.   Similarly, high school seniors who participated in youth groups for any number of years are significantly more likely to feel good to be alive and to enjoy school than those who have never been in a religious … [Read more...]

Twenty years ago, one could not find more than a handful of missionary-sending organizations or ministries dedicated to recruiting blacks, T.P. Perrin said.   That was then. Twenty years ago, one could not find more than a handful of missionary-sending organizations or ministries dedicated to recruiting blacks, T.P. Perrin said.   That was then.   Now, while the number of such groups remain small, they are growing, said Perrin, president of Great Commission Global Ministries, an organization dedicated to training and empowering African-Americans and other people of color as global missionaries.   Indeed, more and more independent and parachurch leaders and missionary-sending agencies actively are courting black Christians for long-term assignments and short-term domestic and global mission projects.   Jim Sutherland still does not describe the change as a movement but "the front end of a groundswell. ...   "We have a tremendous pool of resources (among African-American churches), but for now, they are a sleeping giant that’s just beginning to stir," said Sutherland, president of Reconciliation Network Ministries in Chattanooga, … [Read more...]

Do we need gasoline?" my lovely bride asked. She referenced something about me running out of gas on I-49 at the midnight hour, on a Saturday, 15 miles from the nearest gasoline station, and emphasized she did not want to have a similar experience today. Do we need gasoline?" my lovely bride asked. She referenced something about me running out of gas on I-49 at the midnight hour, on a Saturday, 15 miles from the nearest gasoline station, and emphasized she did not want to have a similar experience today. "No, we do not need gasoline. I checked when we went through Raton, New Mexico, and we have enough to get us to Alamosa." We were on our way to Creede, Colo., as we have been dozens of times. She gave me that wifely look that says, "I know better, but I am going to trust you, so you had better not be wrong." We left Walsenburg, Colo., headed west. We passed a couple of gas stations but I was discouraged, even at my wife’s urging, from stopping by the line of cars waiting to buy gasoline, and the high prices. "We can make it to Alamosa. It is just some little ways. " Actually, 72 miles of virtually uninhabited wilderness. We were in the truck. The car we drive is a technological wonder with a computer that … [Read more...]

For the week of December 19, 2002 Message trustees Louisiana Baptist Message trustees approved a 2003 budget of $931,987 last week, an increase of just $9,800 (1.1 percent) from the current year. Trustees noted that the almost standstill budget is a reflection of state Cooperative Program giving, which looks to close the year at about $2 million behind budget. Despite the shortfall in Cooperative Program giving this year, trustees were told the state newspaper expected to close the year in the black, with expenses not exceeding revenue. In other action during the recent meeting, trustees also elected a new vice chair by acclamation. The action was necessitated when former Chair Glenn Price moved out of state and had to resign from the board. Vice Chair Jim Garlington then assumed the position. Garlington is pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in Pollock. Last week, trustees elected Naida Sexton to serve as vice chair. Sexton is a member at Trinity Heights Baptist Church in Shreveport. Clergy ratings The Roman Catholic sexual abuse scandal has sent the public’s view of clergy spiraling down to its lowest point ever, 12 points lower than last year’s rating, a new Gallup poll indicates. Asked to rate the … [Read more...]

The combined ability of all human minds, the sum of their creativity and the united power of their imaginations could never have conceived of something as marvelous as Noel.   What happened in that simple Bethlehem stable some two-thousand years ago was part of the ultimate revelation of a God filled with grace and mercy who reaches down in love and redemption to sinful human beings. Lynn P. Clayton, Editor   The combined ability of all human minds, the sum of their creativity and the united power of their imaginations could never have conceived of something as marvelous as Noel.   What happened in that simple Bethlehem stable some two-thousand years ago was part of the ultimate revelation of a God filled with grace and mercy who reaches down in love and redemption to sinful human beings. On that day, one God became one newborn not just any newborn, but a particular newborn. The power and presence of the Godhead were in Joseph and Mary’s babe, Jesus.   If we had seen the babe that day, we likely would have seen nothing more than a tiny baby with wonderful, protective, caring, proud parents. The couple was far from home, apprehensive as any parents having their first baby … [Read more...]

When Jonathan Linman helps theology students seek the true meaning of Christmas this year, he does not caution them against the perils of materialism.   On the contrary, he urges them to heighten their awareness of their primary material possession - their bodies.   "We’re trying to recover respect for the body," said Linman, a Lutheran pastor and director of the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary in New York City. When Jonathan Linman helps theology students seek the true meaning of Christmas this year, he does not caution them against the perils of materialism.   On the contrary, he urges them to heighten their awareness of their primary material possession - their bodies.   "We’re trying to recover respect for the body," said Linman, a Lutheran pastor and director of the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary in New York City.   "After centuries of mortifying the flesh, it’s very important to do that. And the Word-made-flesh is all about that."   Linman seeks to accomplish his goal in a variety of ways. For instance, he leads students in breathing exercises prior to prayer, emphasizing to … [Read more...]

When residents in one McMinnville, Tenn., subdivision go to their area park, the first thing they think of is CrossRoads Fellowship Church.   Shortly after the Baptist mission was launched, it surveyed the subdivision - which represents one of its target communities.   One of the survey questions asked residents, "How can our church be valuable to you and your community?" When residents in one McMinnville, Tenn., subdivision go to their area park, the first thing they think of is CrossRoads Fellowship Church.   Shortly after the Baptist mission was launched, it surveyed the subdivision - which represents one of its target communities.   One of the survey questions asked residents, "How can our church be valuable to you and your community?"   Response after response indicated work needed to be done on the local playground, badly in need of repairs and renovation. The park had been started by the area developer but never completed.   Church members decided to do so.   "Surveys are pointless if you don’t respond," pastor Mike Gay points out.   "I advocate doing more servant evangelism. It means more to the people because they see you … [Read more...]

It was one of those muggy mid-May days in South Louisiana, with its pale blue sky and motionless clouds of humidity hanging high.   The temperature was warming up for its summer stretch, and the only air moving was what blew in the open window of the truck as it rolled on its way.   In other words, it was one of those late spring training days Louisiana residents use to prepare themselves for the unforgiving rigors of July and August.   The driver accelerated down the two-lane back road, feeling his sweat-wet tee-shirt pressed against his back as he glanced left at the open country scenery. Note: The following is the third of three devotions on the Nativity published in the Louisiana Baptist Message in celebration of Christmas. This devotion was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson.   It was one of those muggy mid-May days in South Louisiana, with its pale blue sky and motionless clouds of humidity hanging high.   The temperature was warming up for its summer stretch, and the only air moving was what blew in the open window of the truck as it rolled on its way.   In other words, it was one of those late spring training days Louisiana … [Read more...]

For the week of December 19, 2002 Potpourri • BAKER - First church: Kathy Overfield and Rita Williams in concert; Dec. 22, 6 p.m.; Jim Bain, interim pastor. Youth • BATON ROUGE - Goodwood church: "Carols and Candles" children’s drama/special music; Dec. 22, 5 p.m.; Dana Lux, minister of music; David Campbell, pastor.   • PITKIN - First church: Preschool and children’s choir presents Christmas cantata; Dec. 22, 6 p.m.; Kelley Stewart, Sharon Jordan and Laurie Jordan, directors; Stephen Laughlin, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Youth dinner theatre; Dec. 20-21, 6:30 p.m.; Vickie Arthur, youth director; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • JONESVILLE - First church: "Away In a Manger" children’s play; Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Gary Norris, interim pastor.   • HAUGHTON - Koran church: Children’s musical; Dec. 22, 11 a.m.; Ester Hall, children’s choir director; George Rogers, pastor. Christmas Programs • HOUMA - Mulberry church: Special Christmas caroling service; Dec. 22, 6:15 p.m.; Montez Coyle, minister of music; Tommy Harrell, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Ridge Avenue church: "Christmas Shoes" musical; Dec. 19-20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 22, 6 p.m.; Grant Blakeney, minister of … [Read more...]