An advertisement by a Mr. W.M Gurley in the May 9, 2002 Baptist Message made an appeal for a more decision-oriented approach to evangelism, concluding that if one out of every 15 Southern Baptists would "witness and lead one to the Lord," 1 million people would be saved each year. As compelling as Mr. Gurley’s suggestions may be, much would be gained by rethinking some of his key points. An advertisement by a Mr. W.M Gurley in the May 9, 2002 Baptist Message made an appeal for a more decision-oriented approach to evangelism, concluding that if one out of every 15 Southern Baptists would "witness and lead one to the Lord," 1 million people would be saved each year. As compelling as Mr. Gurley’s suggestions may be, much would be gained by rethinking some of his key points.   While the prospect of 1 million people coming to faith in Christ is exhilarating, such a use of statistics reveals a deficiency in our thinking about evangelism. Since when is one out of every 15 Christians sharing the gospel something to strive for when Scripture makes it clear that all of God’s people are to be equipped for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-12)? The early church was a fully-participating body of believers … [Read more...]

For the week of June 6, 2002 Potpourri • DEQUINCY - New Hope church: "Experiencing God; The Musical," June 15-16, 6 p.m.; Glenn Price, minister of music; Jerry Chaddick, pastor.   • HAUGHTON - Koran church: The Texans in concert; June 9, 6:30 p.m.; Hardy Yeatts, minister of music; George Rogers, pastor.   • MONROE - Lock Arbor church: Northeast Association Bass Tournament; banquet; June 14, 6:30 p.m.; Mark Davis, 2001 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, guest speaker; Andy Myrick, pastor; tournament; June 15 at Lake D’Arbonne, 5 a.m. launch and 3 p.m. weigh-in; $40 per boat entry fee; for information or to enter, call Andy Myrick at (318) 343-1558 or (318) 283-8667; Jerry W. Price, director of missions.   • ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: Amanda Martin in concert; June 9, 6 p.m.; David Brooks, pastor.   • BOYCE - Wilda church: In Harmony in concert; June 7, 7 p.m.; Joey Rudisill, pastor. Youth • WEST MONROE - Highland church: "Father Knows Best" children’s musical; June 16, 10:30 a.m.; Stan Taylor, minister of music; Gordon E. Dean, pastor.   • EUNICE - Acadian center: Liferoads Youth camp; grades 7-12; July 7-11; Glen Whatley, guest speaker; Praise Band, music; $87 per … [Read more...]

Two bills in the United States Congress are well intended by their sponsors and supporters, but they harbor grave dangers that make them unwise in the long run. Two bills in the United States Congress are well intended by their sponsors and supporters, but they harbor grave dangers that make them unwise in the long run.   The May 23 Baptist Message reported hearings on the House of Worship Political Speech Protection Act (H.R.2357), sponsored by Walter Jones, R-N.C., and the Bright-Line Act of 2001 (H.R. 2931), sponsored by Phil Crane, R-Ill. Both of these bills would allow churches to endorse particular political candidates without losing their federal tax exemptions. In addition, Crain’s bill would allow a church to spend up to 20 percent of its annual revenues on political causes, including as much as 5 percent on behalf of - or in opposition to - a particular candidate.   This may appear attractive when particular candidates seem to exemplify Christian virtues and ideals - or non-Christian attitudes and beliefs. Some church leaders may feel those candidates they believe exemplify Christian beliefs deserve to be endorsed and those who do not should be opposed.   But the dangers … [Read more...]

With anger, despair and hunger soaring among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, Southern Baptist volunteers are bringing food - and hope.   "Project Future and Hope" will send up to 20 Southern Baptist volunteer teams into Palestinian towns and refugee camps through the summer months to work with Arab Baptists. With anger, despair and hunger soaring among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, Southern Baptist volunteers are bringing food - and hope.   "Project Future and Hope" will send up to 20 Southern Baptist volunteer teams into Palestinian towns and refugee camps through the summer months to work with Arab Baptists. They will distribute food and minister to families and children traumatized by the increasingly bloody street battles between Palestinian and Israeli forces.   "People are in need, and we want to share God’s love in a concrete way," says Paul Lawrence, a Southern Baptist worker among Palestinian Arabs who is coordinating the project. "There is a real feeling of hopelessness among the Palestinians. They don’t see their lives going anywhere. There’s no future in their dreams."   Months of attacks and counterattacks by Israelis and Palestinians have … [Read more...]

Ansley Union Church recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, but that is not what sets the church apart from other congregations in Louisiana.   Ansley is just what its name implies - a union church. Ansley Union Church recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, but that is not what sets the church apart from other congregations in Louisiana.   Ansley is just what its name implies - a union church.   The congregation is a union of Baptist and Methodist members who meet as one congregation but maintain separate memberships. The Baptist and Methodist pastor rotate and preach two weeks out of each month to the same congregation.   Located in the town of Ansley about 15 miles south of Ruston, the church "still operates pretty much in the same manner as in the beginning," member Shirley Walsworth says.   "We all still worship together every Sunday," she adds. "There has never been any confusion or disagreement between the two denominations. For new members, it takes a while to determine who is Baptist and who is Methodist."   And that is what makes the congregation a "strong union," Baptist pastor Larry Hatcher explains.   "It’s very true," … [Read more...]

Re: Baptist Message report on SBC appointments and nominations, May 9, 2002.   A statement made in the article is not correct. "The Committee on Committees is comprised of a pastor and a layperson from each qualified state convention." Re: Baptist Message report on SBC appointments and nominations, May 9, 2002.   A statement made in the article is not correct. "The Committee on Committees is comprised of a pastor and a layperson from each qualified state convention." This could be the case, but this is not required by the bylaws of the SBC. Bylaw 19 only requires that, "Persons named to the Committee on Committees shall have been resident members for at least one (1) year of Southern Baptist churches either geographically within the states or affiliated with the conventions of the states from which they are appointed."   There is no layperson and pastor requirement for the Committee on Nominations. Bylaw 15 requires that "one (1) person nominated to the Committee on Nominations from each state shall be a person not employed full time by a church or denominational entity." This person could be a layperson or a person like myself, who is not employed by a Baptist church or a … [Read more...]

Congratulations on the excellent editorial in the May 16 edition of the Baptist Message, titled "Search committee can help keep minister from being scapegoat." It would be well for every pastor search committee, in the present or the future, to take the advice of your column seriously. Congratulations on the excellent editorial in the May 16 edition of the Baptist Message, titled "Search committee can help keep minister from being scapegoat." It would be well for every pastor search committee, in the present or the future, to take the advice of your column seriously.   Your recommendation that the "search committee should be open and frank with any prospective pastor" is good advice. The other side of this story is true also, that the prospective pastor should be open and frank with the search committee. There is oftentimes too much hidden below the surface of any negotiations that make strife between a new pastor and the church inevitable. If the church, search committee and prospective pastor cannot be honest with each other, there is little hope of a longterm and successful relationship to ever develop.   Alas, it will be God’s work that will suffer the most from any lack of openness and … [Read more...]

For the week of June 13, 2002 Potpourri   • NEW ORLEANS — First church: Ginny Owens in concert; June 23, 7 p.m.; $12 tickets in advance, $15 for Gold Circle seating (limited), $15 at the door; for information, call (504) 895-8632; David Crosby, pastor.   • WEST MONROE — McClendon church: Legacy Five in concert; June 25, 7 p.m.; $10 per ticket; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • MONROE — Ouachita High School auditorium: Selah in concert; June 21, 7 p.m.; co-sponsored by Highland Park church; tickets $5; for ticket information, call Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association office, (318) 322-6760.   Youth   • PELICAN — Clara Springs camp: Younger Youth camp; grades 6-9; July 7, 3 p.m. registration - July 11, 7 p.m.; $115 per person/includes $10 snack ticket; to register or for information, call (318) 796-3875 or (888) 514-6959; Randy Festervand, camp manager.   • PELICAN — Clara Springs camp: Girls camp; grades 2-6; July 15, 9 a.m. registration - July 19, 10 a.m.; $115 per person/includes $10 snack ticket; to register or for information, call (318) 796-3875 or (888) 514-6959; Randy Festervand, camp manager.   • EROS — Seeker Springs camp: Seeker Day camp; boys … [Read more...]

A federal court takes it upon itself to use a simple case to launch a study of whether ministers should be allowed a housing allowance tax exemption.   Another court decides churches and religious organizations in Louisiana are not entitled to a sales tax exemption of the sale of Bibles and religious literature – or on lodging and meals at religious camps. A federal court takes it upon itself to use a simple case to launch a study of whether ministers should be allowed a housing allowance tax exemption.   Another court decides churches and religious organizations in Louisiana are not entitled to a sales tax exemption of the sale of Bibles and religious literature – or on lodging and meals at religious camps.   And in Alabama, public debate grows regarding whether churches should have the benefit of a property sales tax exemption – especially when they led the charge that defeated a state lottery designed to raise taxes for the state’s schools.   Welcome to the brave new world of churches and taxes – where everything is in flux and everything once thought settled appears up for grabs once more.   Talk to those on one side, and they insist that government – … [Read more...]

Messengers called for churches and civil authorities to hold clergy members guilty of sexual abuse accountable in a resolution adopted at the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention. Messengers called for churches and civil authorities to hold clergy members guilty of sexual abuse accountable in a resolution adopted at the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention.   The resolution addressing sexual integrity among spiritual leaders was one of 10 approved at the annual meeting. Messengers passed each of the 10 either unanimously or with only a few opposing votes.   The approved resolutions included:   • One refusing to commend the Today’s New International Version of the Bible, describing it as an "inaccurate translation."   • One defending the existence of Israel and calling for religious freedom and peace in the Middle East.   • One supporting the United States’ anti-terrorism campaign and affirming salvation through Jesus as the "only ultimate answer to all forms of terrorism."   • A call for President Bush to make enactment of a ban on partial-birth abortion a "high priority."   • A call for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to consider the … [Read more...]