Note: The following article is the eighth in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article is the eighth in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer Great preachers do not all think alike - but all truly great preachers alike are thinkers. They tend to have minds given to reflection and meditation, to innovation and originality. Some, like Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin were theoretical and abstract thinkers. Others, like Thomas Chalmers and F. W. Robertson were creative thinkers. Their … [Read more...]
The truth of Christmas – marking more than just a single day out of the year
The day had been busy - kids up early, presents to unwrap, over to the rest of the family, meal to cook, visiting, back to the house, clutter to clean up, boxes and wrappings to be thrown away, excited youngsters to get to bed. Late into the evening, he sat on the couch with his wife, the television on some old movie, with neither really watching. Note: The following is the third of three devotionals by the Baptist Message in preparation for the Christmas season. It was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson The day had been busy - kids up early, presents to unwrap, over to the rest of the family, meal to cook, visiting, back to the house, clutter to clean up, boxes and wrappings to be thrown away, excited youngsters to get to bed. Late into the evening, he sat on the couch with his wife, the television on some old movie, with neither really watching. "Well," he began. "Yeah," she responded. "At least thats over for another year," he adding to the monsyllabic thoughts. Or is it? Is Christmas a once-a-year event - like another birthday or anniversary? Or is it somehow more? What … [Read more...]
Like to help others? Try the Cooperative Program
Note: The following concludes a series of articles published throughout 2003 in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work throughout Louisiana and the rest of the world. Note: The following concludes a series of articles published throughout 2003 in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work throughout Louisiana and the rest of the world. Religious organizations and religious leaders have been viewed in a negative connotation for many years. In this era of sometimes dissenting diversity, it is hard for a lot of people to agree on any one thing. Indeed, in this suggested phase of economic decline, "giving" seems to go against human nature, especially when monetary self-promotion always seems to be societys tacit goal. Why, then, in a downturn year would September have been the third-highest month for Cooperative Program giving in Louisiana Baptists 77-year history? In the true spirit of Occams Razor, it would seem that the most obvious answer is the right one - people are good. People like helping other people. Altruism is always "the right thing to do," and that is why giving programs … [Read more...]
They saw the need – and were determined to meet it
It was a day off for the Louisiana Baptist Acteens attending the National Acteens Convention in Nashville, Tenn., earlier this year. They were headed to the ballpark to see the minor league Nashville Sounds baseball team play. It was a day off for the Louisiana Baptist Acteens attending the National Acteens Convention in Nashville, Tenn., earlier this year. They were headed to the ballpark to see the minor league Nashville Sounds baseball team play. As Louisiana Baptist Womens Missions and Ministry Director Cindy Townsend entered the parking lot, she encountered Betty, who was working as a parking attendant. "Shes a vivacious, beautiful, beautiful lady, ..." Townsend relates. "The Holy Spirit led me to stop and talk to her." However, after talking with Betty a few moments, Townsend began to drive off, despite the initial nudging she had felt, she says. But as she did so, Townsends 10-year-old daughter, Taylor, asked, "Mom, arent we here to do missions?" Her mother agreed that they were. "Well, did you not see her need?" responded Taylor Townsend, who is a Girls in Action member at Calvary Baptist Church in … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of December 18, 2003 Christmas Programs FLORIEN - Mount Carmel church: Childrens musical; Dec. 21, 7 p.m.; John Bridges, music director; Larry DeLoach, pastor. FERRIDAY - Lake St. John Community church: "Ill Be Home for Christmas" 1940s live radio broadcast musical; Dec. 19-20, 7 p.m.; Grace Woods, music director; Karl Wilson, pastor. OAK GROVE - Trinity church: "Ill Be Home for Christmas" musical; Dec. 21, 6 p.m.; Tommy Jones, minister of music; Gayle Riles, pastor. WISNER - First church: Christmas musical; Dec. 21, 11 a.m.; Wiley McClary, minister of music; Thomas Peoples, pastor. MARINGOUIN - First church: Nativity drama; Dec. 21, 10 a.m.; Julie Carney, director; James Womack, pastor. JONESBORO - First church: "The Christmas Story" preschool musical; Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.; adult cantata; Dec. 21, 6 p.m.; Suzanne Brown, minister of children/activities; Betty DeCou, minister of music; Matthew D. Wohlfarth, pastor. LAKE CHARLES - Sale Street church: "Carols and Candles" by youth choir; Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m.; Eddie Simmons, pastor. MONROE - First church: "Festival of Keyboards and Bells" … [Read more...]
‘Open door’ in Iraq an answered prayer, but “workers are few”
Southern Baptists have prayed for years that Iraq would somehow be opened to the gospel. Now, workers have unprecedented access to what was one of the worlds most closed countries. So, what are Southern Baptists doing about it? Southern Baptists have prayed for years that Iraq would somehow be opened to the gospel. Now, workers have unprecedented access to what was one of the worlds most closed countries. So, what are Southern Baptists doing about it? Not enough, say Southern Baptist International Mission Board workers risking their lives to meet human needs and share the gospel inside Iraq. "I must admit Im disappointed that we have so few workers here," said one Baghdad worker, who cannot be identified for security reasons. While the mission board has work among almost 1,500 people groups in well more than 100 countries, its inability to respond quickly and appropriately to what may be a fleeting opportunity in Iraq shows a poignant side of the boards recent financial challenges. John Brady admitted being frustrated by the situation. "It aches my heart to see the opportunities that are before us and know what decisions … [Read more...]
Saddam had nothing with which to negotiate, nor do we
Irony reigned supreme in Saddam Husseins capture. One point of irony may remind us of ourselves. Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with a bloody, iron fist. It was said of Herod of biblical times that a pig was safer in his palace than his relatives. Irony reigned supreme in Saddam Husseins capture. One point of irony may remind us of ourselves. Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq with a bloody, iron fist. It was said of Herod of biblical times that a pig was safer in his palace than his relatives. A pig was relatively safe because Herod was part Jew and would not eat pork. He did, however, have killed relatives he considered a threat to his throne. New reports have not said how safe pets or pork were in Saddams palace, but it was likely safer to be a pet than a human opponent. He had several hundred-thousands perceived opponents tortured and/or murdered. During his reign, Saddams ego was unreigned. Indeed, it was constantly fed by his overindulging self-centeredness, and by anyone in Iraq that wanted to see the light of another day. He centered his world on himself and used everything Iraq offered to satisfy any whim that struck him. And then, his ego pushed him to fight the … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of November 6, 2003 Church conflict events A series of five conferences on church conflict have been planned across Louisiana in November. The "Understanding Church Conflict" conferences are being sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention church-minister relations office. The conferences will be led by Leonard Dupree, director of church-minister relations for the Georgia Baptist convention. They are designed to help persons gain an understanding of the dynamics of church conflict. Conferences are set for Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. to noon at Forest Glade Baptist Church in West Monroe and at 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Donahue Family Church in Pineville; Nov. 18 at 8:30 to noon at the Carey Baptist Association office in Lake Charles and at 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church in Lafayette; and Nov. 19 at 8:30 to noon at the Northshore Baptist Association office in Hammond. Youth gathering The 2003 Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Celebration has been set for Nov. 23-25 at the Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria. The theme of this years gathering is "Connect." The schedule includes various musical guests and speakers, including the group Audio Adrenaline and speaker Voddie … [Read more...]
Information about good ministries brings good support
A lack of support always follows a lack of information. And, it could well be that a part of a dipping of the level of support of Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist work is a lack of information flowing to Mr. and Mrs. Baptist. A lack of support always follows a lack of information. And, it could well be that a part of a dipping of the level of support of Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist work is a lack of information flowing to Mr. and Mrs. Baptist. A Louisiana Baptist who grew up on a farm in Northeast Louisiana and later became a leader in Southern Baptist work said often, "As I was growing up, only two pieces of literature came to our mailbox - the Baptist Message and Progressive Farmer. About all I knew of the outside world came from reading those two publications. I fell in love with Baptist work and discovered enough about farming to know that was not what I wanted to do the rest of my life." For rural Baptists - and the overwhelming majority were rural - life revolved around their churches. Now, the average American, rural or urban, suffers an information overload. News publications, speciality magazines, numerous para-church publications, television news … [Read more...]
Church influence low with young adults, study shows
Millions of "twentysomething" Americans have not made a commitment to church a priority in their lives as they move beyond the college years and into the workforce, a recently-released study indicates. Millions of "twentysomething" Americans have not made a commitment to church a priority in their lives as they move beyond the college years and into the workforce, a recently-released study indicates. That includes those who were active in the church during their teenage years, The Barna Research Group study also indicated twentysomethings are far less likely than older adults to donate to churches, to serve as volunteers or to read the Bible. However, the young adults do admit that they often pray to God. Still, in an American culture focused on individualism, some of the most crucial decisions made by people from age 20 to 29 are being influenced by peoples desire to determine their own personal fulfillment and purpose in life - and apart from the traditional sources of Christian input, researchers reported. This includes such life-altering decisions by young adults as whether to finish college, what career to pursue, where to live and whether to get married. Only three out of 10 twentysomethings attend church … [Read more...]
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