Robert Lett Lee, who served Louisiana Baptists as a "servant leader" for 30 years, died Feb. 13 in Alexandria. He was 87. "Dr. Lee was known as a beloved friend to Louisiana Baptists and to pastors in particular," said Dean Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, a position Lee held from 1956 to 1986. Robert Lett Lee, who served Louisiana Baptists as a "servant leader" for 30 years, died Feb. 13 in Alexandria. He was 87. "Dr. Lee was known as a beloved friend to Louisiana Baptists and to pastors in particular," said Dean Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, a position Lee held from 1956 to 1986. "He served Louisiana Baptists for more than 30 years with distinction and always a vision for the future," Doster continued. "The building that houses the Louisiana Baptist Convention now was built during his tenure. "He has been a faithful supporter to Louisiana Baptist missions in his retirement," Doster said. "He personally has supported me as executive director. "He will be missed by all of us." During Lees three-decade tenure as Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, he led the … [Read more...]
Students bring ‘Louisiana Christmas’ to New York City
Christmas came a little early for a group of firemen and policemen in New York City last year, thanks to a group of Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministries students. There for a week-long missions trip a few days before Christmas, 92 students and staff from the Baton Rouge and Shreveport campuses ministered in a variety of ways, one of which was leading Christmas parties at fire and police stations. Christmas came a little early for a group of firemen and policemen in New York City last year, thanks to a group of Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministries students. There for a week-long missions trip a few days before Christmas, 92 students and staff from the Baton Rouge and Shreveport campuses ministered in a variety of ways, one of which was leading Christmas parties at fire and police stations. Two years ago, the Baptist Campus Ministries students sang at fire stations in New York City and was invited back again because it was such an encouragement to the men, says Steve Master, Baptist Campus Ministries director at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Following that visit, the majority of the police and fire stations the students … [Read more...]
Hall of Remembrance?
We have all been shocked and grieved by the recent shuttle disaster, and I venture to say that many of us were deeply saddened by the loss of our three dear missionaries in Yemen on December 30, 2002 - namely, Martha Myers, William Koehn and Kathleen Gariety. We have all been shocked and grieved by the recent shuttle disaster, and I venture to say that many of us were deeply saddened by the loss of our three dear missionaries in Yemen on December 30, 2002 - namely, Martha Myers, William Koehn and Kathleen Gariety. There is a monument in Houston for the astronauts who perished in the explosion of the shuttle a few years back. Their names are engraved on the granite or marble memorial. In Nashville, Tenn., there is a Country Music Hall of Fame. In other places, we have baseball and football halls of fame. In the religious department, there is the Vatican with its hall of saints. Even our colleges have pictures of their ex-presidents and hospitals of their prominent physicians. Do you not think that in Nashville, the site of the headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention, or another appropriate location that we could establish an archives or Hall of Remembrance for Missionaries slain … [Read more...]
God bless you
I feel like I know Mr. Bill Ichter (February 6, 2003, issue). Every month, the Womans Missionary Union at my church I feel like I know Mr. Bill Ichter (February 6, 2003, issue). Every month, the Womans Missionary Union at my church - Immanuel Baptist at Morgan City - honors missionaries, past and present on their birthdays. I was given Mr. Ichters name to pray for, and I read about his blessings while in Brazil. God bless you, Mr. and Mrs. Ichter. We love you for all you do! Janice Durkin Morgan City … [Read more...]
A question of leadership
Churches and church staffs have tried to follow the CEO business model of developing growing churches. While God's work should be handled with business- like seriousness and accountability, I think we are beginning to see what the business world has now discovered. CEO mentality apart from character, competence and chemistry are doomed to fail. Churches and church staffs have tried to follow the CEO business model of developing growing churches. While God's work should be handled with business- like seriousness and accountability, I think we are beginning to see what the business world has now discovered. CEO mentality apart from character, competence and chemistry are doomed to fail. How many church leaders wake up only to find it is too late, that they or others in their church have positions of leadership without any real possession of leadership. Southwest Baptist University Dean of Students Steve Morrow, in his book "Leadership, Not Salesmanship" hits the mark when he points out that the original leadership development principles of Christ as shared in the Sermon on the Mount is still the only way to go. Being comes before doing if it is to have any eternal substance. People today … [Read more...]
Where honor is due
At the beginning of the last meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, I was asked to give the invocation and to recognize all of the veterans of the armed forces by asking them to stand. I was pleased to do that as it was Veterans Day. At the beginning of the last meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, I was asked to give the invocation and to recognize all of the veterans of the armed forces by asking them to stand. I was pleased to do that as it was Veterans Day. But as I returned to my seat, I noticed a lady, Dottie Hayes, sitting in the choir. I first met Herman and Dottie Hayes in what was then the Republic of South Vietnam. For a year, we were members of the same church, Trinity Baptist in Saigon. They were, as I recall, the first Southern Baptist missionaries to Vietnam. I think they entered the country in 1959. After the fall of Vietnam to the communists, Dottie and Herman continued their ministry to the Vietnamese people in Australia. Herman has since gone on to be with the Lord. It is good to honor those of us who willingly served our country in a time of war. But people like Dottie were often in far more dangerous circumstances than many soldiers. They served the … [Read more...]
Church and the law – First Amendment concerns
It all began in 1994 when members of the Bronx House-hold of Faith wanted to hold a meeting in a local public school building. The school said no. The group filed suit, citing the concept known as "equal access." And last June, the group won its lawsuit against the New York State Board of Education. Note: The following is the third of four articles on "The Church and the Law." This article focuses on First Amendment issues. The final article will look at political/moral issues. The series of articles was commissioned by the Association of State Baptist Papers. It all began in 1994 when members of the Bronx House-hold of Faith wanted to hold a meeting in a local public school building. The school said no. The group filed suit, citing the concept known as "equal access." And last June, the group won its lawsuit against the New York State Board of Education. "The church had asked for a permit to meet in a school building; the school denied it, saying no outside groups may have religious services on school property," explained Randy Singer, attorney and executive vice president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission … [Read more...]
In the midst of the United States’ most-brutal war – ‘a great revival’
In many ways, it is the great untold story of the Civil War that so devastated the United States. In the fall and winter of 1863-64, a "great revival" took place among the Confederate and Union forces - and tens of thousands of soldiers were converted. In many ways, it is the great untold story of the Civil War that so devastated the United States. In the fall and winter of 1863-64, a "great revival" took place among the Confederate and Union forces - and tens of thousands of soldiers were converted. In a war in which 620,000 died - more than in all other American wars combined - men sought the solace of God in great numbers, and chapels could not hold the soldiers who wanted to attend. Volumes upon volumes have been written about the violent Civil War battles within the divided nation. But the devout faith of men on both sides of the fight rarely has been chronicled. However, now, readers and audiences can discover the religious beliefs of those who fought on both sides of the Civil War in a new Broadman and Holman book, "Faith in God and Generals: An Anthology of Faith, Hope, and Love in the American Civil War." The book was released Jan. 31 … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of February 27, 2003 Executive Committee An added focus on the Cooperative Program has been incorporated into the proposed Southern Baptist Convention budget for the 2003-04 fiscal year. During its recent meeting, the SBC Executive Committee approved a recommendation that $250,000 be utilized "to fund the enhancement of (Cooperative Program) education at the six (Southern Baptist) seminaries" - if receipts from churches exceed the budget goal of $182 million next year. The total budget of more than $182 million still must be approved by messengers to this summers Southern Baptist Convention. The overall budget maintains percentage allocations the same as this year, including 50 percent to the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and 22.79 percent to the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. LifeWay news Despite tough economic times, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention stands to see an overall increase in revenue for 2003, officials said. In a recent meeting of LifeWay trustees, agency officials said they predict a 3.4 percent increase in overall revenue. However, that means that revenues still would fall more than $18 million short of the budget for the … [Read more...]
Bob Lee was a good example for Louisiana Baptists
Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend. Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home to his permanent residence God had prepared for him.. Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively, and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep love that his leadership style grew. Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend. Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home to his permanent residence God had prepared for him.. Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively, and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep love that his leadership style grew. For almost 25 years, I had the joy of serving with Bob Lee, as well as enjoying a personal friendship with him. I watched as Dr. Lee showered love and kindness upon people of all strata of society in general, and Louisiana … [Read more...]