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...]
Step backward
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...]
‘Baptist’ churches
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...]
WMU members focus on forgiveness, missions call
Forgiveness is powerful but not easy, a victim of kidnapping and rape told participants in the Southern Baptist Womans 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 Womans 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...]
Southern Baptist pastors urge gospel commitment
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." Norths 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...]
2002 Meeting represents a different phase for SBC
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...]
Former prisoners urge – follow Jesus, even if it costs
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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks annual meeting, encouraging to serve God despite the risks and possible costs involved. Curry told … [Read more...]
To St. Louis – with love
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...]
They had not been at a prayer meeting, but I loved them still
Do you ever look at the gas gauge?" I asked my wife as I looked down at the gas gauge needle that registered almost empty. "Not until I hear it ring," she answered calmly. She had been driving and understood it is a man kind of thing to tell women how to operate machinery. "And it just rang for the first time." Do you ever look at the gas gauge?" I asked my wife as I looked down at the gas gauge needle that registered almost empty. "Not until I hear it ring," she answered calmly. She had been driving and understood it is a man kind of thing to tell women how to operate machinery. "And it just rang for the first time." We were in the middle of some woods and I told her how dangerous it is to start a trip out in the country without adequate fuel. I made a typically male big-deal out of it. Later that day, I started home about 10:30 p.m. after a quick trip to Shreveport. After my lecture that morning to my wife, I check the gas gauge, which appeared okay. Not full, but okay when one is in a hurry. It was okay until five miles north of Airport Road-the first sign of civilization coming into Alexandria on I-49-when the truck gave a major cough and quit, as … [Read more...]
SBC Cooperative Program receipts buck denominational trends
Cooperative Program support by Southern Baptists continues to be one of the truly amazing stories of modern denominationalism. Contributions to the national Cooperative Program continue to increase in spite of national trends of decreasing gifts to the national offices of other denominations. Cooperative Program support by Southern Baptists continues to be one of the truly amazing stories of modern denominationalism. Contributions to the national Cooperative Program continue to increase in spite of national trends of decreasing gifts to the national offices of other denominations. Denton Lotz, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, in his June 2002 article in BWA News, says that denominational offices have experienced a "paradigm shift." "The earlier generation was willing to trust denominational headquarters to do mission . . . This has been a traditional way of giving." But now, because of a shrinking globe, "local churches are sending mission trips (crews) all over the world . . . They have their own projects and sister relationships overseas." According to Lotz, their dollars follow their established mission relationships. "The result: less of the offering plate is going to … [Read more...]
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