Ever since Sept. 11, pundits have speculated on the lingering fallout of the terrorist attacks on America.   And while there are some signs the nation was moving to a more religious stance in some ways, at least one observer disagrees. Indeed, an editor with Compass Direct insists Sept. 11 did nothing to offset the "secular myopia" of the nation. Ever since Sept. 11, pundits have speculated on the lingering fallout of the terrorist attacks on America.   And while there are some signs the nation was moving to a more religious stance in some ways, at least one observer disagrees. Indeed, an editor with Compass Direct insists Sept. 11 did nothing to offset the "secular myopia" of the nation.   "Religion continues to be misunderstood, misrepresented and - strangest of all - still utterly marginalized," said Alex Buchan, who writes for Compass Direct, a religious liberty organization that tracks religious persecution around the world.   "Secular myopia" is a phrase defined as "an inability even to see, much less understand, the role of religion in human life."   Given all the religious language and "God bless the USA" billboards and prayers in post-Sept. 11 America, … [Read more...]

C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   A new report takes a look at the rise of 'religion surfers' and what their growing use of the Internet could mean for churches   Much has been written - and rightly so - about the perils and dangers of the wild, wild world of the World Wide Web.   However, the truth is that the Internet also is proving to be a source of spiritual knowledge for many people. First Church of the Internet? A new report takes a look at the rise of 'religion surfers' and what their growing use of the Internet could mean for churches   Much has been written - and rightly so - about the perils and dangers of the wild, wild world of the World Wide Web.   However, the truth is that the Internet also is proving to be a source of spiritual knowledge for many people.   Indeed, an estimated 28 million Americans can be classified as "religion surfers," having tapped the Internet for religious/spiritual information, the Pew Internet and American Life project recently reported.   That number is up some 9 million in the past year, the recently-released report notes. And some 3 million people use the Internet on a daily basis to obtain … [Read more...]

In a meeting usually short on business items, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders focused last week on getting about the real "business" of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a meeting usually short on business items, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders focused last week on getting about the real "business" of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.   "I want to challenge each of you to join me in committing to personally witness to win someone to Christ between now and our next board meeting in May, ..." LBC Executive Director Dean Doster urged members of the state Executive Board during their scheduled meeting last week.   "I want you to join me in ... refocusing our motives and redirecting our energies as a convention of churches to win the lost of our state to Christ."   Doster’s was not the only appeal during the meeting for a refocusing on the task.   Such a call was the overriding theme of a meeting in which board members learned that state Cooperative Program gifts closed $1.3 million (6 percent) behind the 2001 budget and statewide baptisms dropped 11.9 percent to their lowest level since 1989.   The news clearly alarmed … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.   In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.   In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards.   In a second, board members agreed to study the structure for directors of missions and how they relate to their associations and the denomination.   Board President Philip Robertson is responsible for assigning the studies to standing committees or to name persons to special ones. Robertson is pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville.   Motions authorizing the studies were approved without dissent after rules were suspended to allow their presentation.   Existing procedure calls for all new business to be presented to the Executive Board president at least 10 days … [Read more...]

For the week of January 24, 2002 People, places and events Potpouri • ZACHARY — Milldale church: annual camp meeting; Feb. 18-21; Jerry Spencer, Bob Pitman, Herb Reavis, Malcom Ellis, Sonny Holland, Jerry Chaddick, Philip Robertson, Tony Pangle, guest speakers; Sonny Holland and Freedom, music; call (225) 654-8168 or (225) 654-5065 for information or to make reservations; Jerry Robertson, pastor.   • DRY CREEK — Dry Creek camp: couples retreat; Feb. 15-16; $60 per couple/$40 commuter couples; limited rooms; send $10 deposit to: Dry Creek Baptist Camp, P.O. Box 580, Dry Creek, LA 70637 or for information call (337) 328-7531; Ray and Carolyn Wells, leaders; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • ZACHARY — First church: outdoorsman banquet; Feb. 19, exhibits open 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.; John Hoyt, world champion turkey caller, and David Fortenberry, speakers; $10 for individual tickets/$50 for table of seven; call (225) 654-2755 for ticket information; T. W. Terral, interim pastor.   • PINEVILLE — Louisiana College: theatre presentation, "Female Transport," Jan. 24-27, 31, and Feb. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 2:30 p.m. matinee; $7 general admission/$4 students; Patrick Trettenero, … [Read more...]

Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home.   Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the world’s wealth, he notes. Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home.   Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the world’s wealth, he notes.   "And all seven of them would be Americans," says Holcomb, who serves as a consultant with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.   The fact that most of the world’s wealth is possessed by American citizens makes it difficult for Americans to understand the hardships people in other countries experience, Holcomb emphasizes.   Indeed, cultural differences related to language, food, beliefs and values can create big challenges when trying to minister in other countries, he says.   And Americans who have not traveled outside their own country can be way off the mark when attempting to … [Read more...]

It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistan’s Taliban.   But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity. It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistan’s Taliban.   But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity.   Crediting their release to worldwide prayer, Mercer and Curry are using their celebrity-type status to raise prayer support for New Tribes Mission workers Martin and Gracia Burnham, currently being held hostage in the southern Philippines.   The Burnhams were taken captive last May. They are being held by Abu Sayyaf rebels, a Muslim extremist group linked to Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network.   "They need a miracle, just like we got one," Curry told a gathering of 4,000 people last month at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she and Mercer received degrees before heading overseas.   "I really want to see the same thing happen for them," she added.   Curry and Mercer also brought up the Burnhams’ plight at a December press conference and during a 700 Club … [Read more...]

I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories." I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories."   There was nothing fictitious or unverifiable about W.A. Criswell, although his life and ministry certainly took on legendary proportions. He served as pastor of what was then the largest Baptist church in the world. He was always on the record, frequently in Baptists’ collective face and openly calling them to "the throne of grace."   WA Criswell was part of our household conversation when I was growing up. My father was a Baptist preacher - not minister; he preferred preacher - who idolized WA Criswell. My father’s pastorates were never so far away from Dallas that we did not have daily access to the Dallas Morning News, … [Read more...]

For the week of January 31, 2002 Seminary graduates Five Louisiana natives recently received degrees from Southern Baptist theological seminaries. Randy Johnson of Baton Rouge earned a master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. His home church is Riverdale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Celeste Ford earned a master of divnity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a graduate of Louisiana College in Pineville and the daughter of Ray Ford of Alexandria. Todd Strain also received a master of divinity degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Brian Manuel earned a master of arts degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana College and the son of Lee and Betty Manuel of Oakdale. Michael Tullos of Shreveport received a doctor of ministry degree. Missionary appointment Harold and Ginger Junek recently were appointed as Southern Baptist International Mission Board workers. The Johnsons will serve in the Czech Republic, where he will focus on planting churches and coordinating theological education, and she will be involved in outreach through church and home. He is the former pastor at Taylor Baptist Church in Taylor … [Read more...]

A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor?   The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality." A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor?   The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality."   A board of a secular company hires a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) because they believe he knows what is best for the company. The CEO moves to the company helm and makes changes without regard to how things were done before or how employees are going to be affected by such changes. For the CEO, profits, increased profits and company growth are all that matter - just the bottom line.   A minister is accused of having a CEO mentality if he comes to a church and immediately begins making significant changes to the church’s operation and ministries. … [Read more...]