A long-term ministry initiative to "seek first the king and his kingdom" was approved by Southern Baptist Convention messengers last week. A long-term ministry initiative to "seek first the king and his kingdom" was approved by Southern Baptist Convention messengers last week.   "I’m not trying to be negative at all; I’m just sounding an alarm," outgoing SBC President James Merritt of Snellville, Ga., said. "It is time for Empowering Kingdom Growth, because when you seek first the king, then his kingdom, you will have a burning, passionate desire to bring other people into his kingdom. Southern Baptists need to be reminded over and over that missions and evangelism is why we exist.   "We believe that we have not the best gospel in the world, (but) we’ve got the only gospel in the world," Merritt continued. "There may be other denominations out there that can preach the gospel better than we can, but nobody can preach a better gospel than we can."   The "Empowering Kingdom Growth" plan took shape in an eight-member Cooperation Task Force formed two years ago.   The approved plan is described as "an initiative designed to call individual Southern Baptists to renew their … [Read more...]

President George Bush last week heralded Southern Baptists as champions of the faith who "believe as America’s founders did - that religious faith is the moral anchor of American life." Bush delivered his remarks via satellite to messengers gathered at the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis. President George Bush last week heralded Southern Baptists as champions of the faith who "believe as America’s founders did - that religious faith is the moral anchor of American life." Bush delivered his remarks via satellite to messengers gathered at the 2002 Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis. Bush’s address contained references to his personal faith in God, his commitment to preserving the traditional family and social issues important to evangelicals. Bush told Southern Baptists that he shares common commitments with them. "We believe in fostering a culture of life and that marriage and family are sacred institutions that should be preserved and strengthened," Bush said as messengers interrupted him with applause. "We believe that a life is a creation, not a commodity and that our children are gifts to be loved and protected, not products to be designed and manufactured by human cloning." Bush also … [Read more...]

For the week of June 20, 2002 Potpourri • RIDGECREST - Ridgecrest church: David Freeman in concert; June 27, 7 p.m.; Bobby Cruse, pastor.   • HOUMA - Mulberry church: "Sweet Land of Liberty" patriotic musical; presented by combined choirs of Mulberry and Coteau churches; June 30, 1:30 p.m.; Montez Coyle, minister of music; Tommy Harrell, pastor.   • START - Start church: "Liberty - a Musical Celebration of Freedom," June 30, 10:30 a.m.; Wayne Smart, music minister; Jeff Smart, pastor.   • FOREST HILL - Calvary church: Fifth Sunday circuit singing; June 30, 6 p.m.; James Mike Evans, minister of music; Joel McMickin, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Patriotic presentation by adult choir; June 30, 6 p.m.; Gary Melanson, minister of music; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • LIVINGSTON - Satsuma church: Ladies Day, June 29, 9 a.m.-noon. Scheduled speakers are Evelyn Crotwell and Nancy McCon; scheduled singers are the David Chavers Family, Jamie Williams and Julia Hughes; A.L. Palmer, pastor.   • POLLOCK - First church: Patriotic service of music and drama; July 7; 10:45 a.m. Brandon Bannon, music; Eddie Douglas Jr., pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - … [Read more...]

If the proposal from the committee that says it has made an objective study of the role and relationships of Louisiana Baptist Convention and directors of missions is implemented (Baptist Message, May 30), Louisiana Baptists will make a 40-year backward step. If the proposal from the committee that says it has made an objective study of the role and relationships of Louisiana Baptist Convention and directors of missions is implemented (Baptist Message, May 30), Louisiana Baptists will make a 40-year backward step.   If the committee proposal is adopted, we will have created circumstances that would prevent all but a few Louisiana Baptist associations from having a director of missions. Also, for smaller and/or rural associations to have the services of a director of missions would require churches to divert a substantial portion of their Cooperative Program gifts to the association. No one believes that is a good idea.   In my opinion, neither the members of this committee, nor those who advise them, have placed their full agenda on the public table. With all my being, I urge my fellow Baptists across Louisiana to take whatever steps are necessary to defeat this proposal. In years past, we … [Read more...]

Re: Some churches dropping "Baptist" from the names I find disturbing.   "Baptist" carries a significant message to the world about the nature of that church. It is a congregation of baptized believers voluntarily joined together for the purpose of worshiping God and carrying out the commission of Christ. It indicates one of the two ordinances of the church - baptism - and implies both form and purpose. Re: Some churches dropping "Baptist" from the names I find disturbing.   "Baptist" carries a significant message to the world about the nature of that church. It is a congregation of baptized believers voluntarily joined together for the purpose of worshiping God and carrying out the commission of Christ. It indicates one of the two ordinances of the church - baptism - and implies both form and purpose.   To drop the word from the title is misleading. If it is a Baptist church, it ought to say so. When we lived in Arizona years ago, our churches had to differentiate themselves from other Baptist churches, by the word "Southern." So, when we moved to a different place there, we would look for churches with "Southern" and "Baptist" in their names. We would never have considered a … [Read more...]

Forgiveness is powerful but not easy, a victim of kidnapping and rape told participants in the Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting last week in St. Louis.   Debbie Morris captivated persons in two presentations as she told how she was kidnapped and raped multiple times during a 30-hour period when she was 16. The Death Row story of one of her abductors, Robert Lee Willie, was portrayed in the movie "Dead Man Walking." Forgiveness is powerful but not easy, a victim of kidnapping and rape told participants in the Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting last week in St. Louis.   Debbie Morris captivated persons in two presentations as she told how she was kidnapped and raped multiple times during a 30-hour period when she was 16. The Death Row story of one of her abductors, Robert Lee Willie, was portrayed in the movie "Dead Man Walking."   Morris’ own story is chronicled in her book, "Forgiving the Dead Man Walking."   Forgiving the man who traumatized her took years, said Morris, who lives in Mandeville. "Jesus says we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Sometimes that is easier said than done. Some people are … [Read more...]

It was a red-white-and-blue finale for the 2002 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference - complete with patriotic music, a salute to the military and an address by retired Lt. Col. Oliver North.   "We ought not to be timid," North urged conference participants in his closing address. "We ought not to be afraid. We must have the courage to confront others with the gospel and the courage to present it just the way it is written in this book (the Bible). In this book, every single word is true." It was a red-white-and-blue finale for the 2002 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference - complete with patriotic music, a salute to the military and an address by retired Lt. Col. Oliver North.   "We ought not to be timid," North urged conference participants in his closing address. "We ought not to be afraid. We must have the courage to confront others with the gospel and the courage to present it just the way it is written in this book (the Bible). In this book, every single word is true."   North’s address closed a conference that featured a number of headline preachers, including Fred Luter, pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans.   North spoke following the … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis last week went as expected, with only a couple of exceptions.   There were, however, signs that annual meetings are moving into a different phase. The Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis last week went as expected, with only a couple of exceptions.   There were, however, signs that annual meetings are moving into a different phase.   There was less rhetoric related to the internal struggle that has dominated conventions for the last 24 years. Obviously, that issue has been settled, but there has been a distinct need to stop rehashing the past and focus on the future. James Merritt, in his presidential address, warned that the "danger of a lukewarm spirit" has replaced what he called liberalism as the greatest threat to the convention. He then challenged the convention to move forward in a fight against threats from outside the church.   Another move to focus on the future came when messengers adopted a long-term ministry initiative, "Empowering Kingdom Growth." SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman called the new initiative "not a program" but "a vision." At this point, how to obtain the vision … [Read more...]

Jesus is worth following - even if the cost is high, Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry emphasized to Southern Baptists last week.   "For those that know Jesus and love him, I would give the encouragement that he is still worthy to be followed, even if it costs us something," Mercer said at last week’s Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis. Jesus is worth following - even if the cost is high, Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry emphasized to Southern Baptists last week.   "For those that know Jesus and love him, I would give the encouragement that he is still worthy to be followed, even if it costs us something," Mercer said at last week’s Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis.   She and Curry should know.   As missionaries with the interdenominational Shelter Now ministry, the pair was imprisoned in Afghanistan for sharing the gospel last August. They remained in captivity until rescued by soldiers in November. In the span of time, their plight captured the attention of Christians worldwide.   The pair spoke during the opening session of last week’s annual meeting, encouraging to serve God despite the risks and possible costs involved.   Curry told … [Read more...]

As in past years, Southern Baptists geared up for their annual meeting last week by taking - and demonstrating - gospel love to St. Louis residents   Amid the swirling mix of food, games and excitement at the New Life Community Church block party last week in St. Louis, Lucille Lee found a receptive audience for the gospel in one 9-year-old boy. As in past years, Southern Baptists geared up for their annual meeting last week by taking - and demonstrating - gospel love to St. Louis residents   Amid the swirling mix of food, games and excitement at the New Life Community Church block party last week in St. Louis, Lucille Lee found a receptive audience for the gospel in one 9-year-old boy.   Then, his brother became interested, followed by his other two siblings - and, finally, both parents. By the end of the day, the family members were among more than 50 individuals who had made professions of faith at the East St. Louis event.   "I have never seen that happen before, where I would be sharing with one person, and they would get their friends and ask them to come over - and I would share with them, too," said Lee, a Southern Baptist church member in Atlanta. "God was just … [Read more...]