Attendance at houses of worship appears to have returned to normal levels after a short surge following September 11 events, researchers say. In the process, the church has lost a chance to impact people spiritually, a leading Christian researcher asserted. Attendance at houses of worship appears to have returned to normal levels after a short surge following September 11 events, researchers say. In the process, the church has lost a chance to impact people spiritually, a leading Christian researcher asserted. A Gallup poll reported that 47 percent of adults surveyed Sept. 21-22 said they had attended church or synagogue in the previous week. That number was the highest percentage since the 1950s. However, by Nov. 8-11, 42 percent of persons said they had attended worship in the previous week, almost equal to the 41 percent recorded in May. Meanwhile, the Barna Research Group reported that 48 percent of adults surveyed recently said they had attended a church service in the past week, compared to 42 percent polled in July and August. However, when compared to last years figures, the numbers simply seem to reflect the usual seasonal increase, … [Read more...]
Southern Baptists work to minister to Afghan refugees
Every family has a story - and for Afghan families crowding refugee centers served by Southern Baptist workers in Europe, it usually is a sad one. For instance, one ethnic Hazara woman was hit twice by Taliban bullets as she fled the Afghan capital of Kabul. She survived - barely - in her home village. She could not seek medical treatment, since no male doctors under the Taliban were allowed to see a womans body, much less touch it and any women doctors had been exiled long ago. Every family has a story - and for Afghan families crowding refugee centers served by Southern Baptist workers in Europe, it usually is a sad one. For instance, one ethnic Hazara woman was hit twice by Taliban bullets as she fled the Afghan capital of Kabul. She survived - barely - in her home village. She could not seek medical treatment, since no male doctors under the Taliban were allowed to see a womans body, much less touch it and any women doctors had been exiled long ago. The womans husband - a well-to-do businessman - was arrested two years ago. The Taliban demanded a high ransom for his freedom. The woman paid it, but her husband never returned. Instead, another group of Taliban thugs … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of December 13, 2001 World of Religion Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $16 million last month, an increase of more than $2.2 million (16.4 percent) from the previous November. Two months into the Southern Baptist conventions new budget year, overall gifts total $28.5 million, almost $964,000 (3.2 percent) behind budget. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled almost $3.8 million last month, an increase of almost $100,000 (2.7 percent) from the previous November. Call to prayer Six Southern Baptist leaders have joined Southern Baptist Convention President James Merritts call for a day of prayer for Muslims on Dec. 16. SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman, International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin, North American Mission Board President Robert Reccord, LifeWay Christian Resources President James Draper Jr., Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land and Womans Missionary Union Executive Director-Treasurer Wanda Lee joined Merritt in signing a Nov. 30 open letter asking Southern Baptists and other Christians to "pray that God would speak clearly to Muslims and reveal himself" at the end of Ramadan, the Muslim … [Read more...]
When Santa recovers, he can bring everyone gifts
"Operation Santa!" The entire elementary school joined the effort. The teachers and administrators of the school wanted to help their students realize the joy of giving. They emphasized that many children have little joy in their Christmas without the help of others. "Operation Santa!" The entire elementary school joined the effort. The teachers and administrators of the school wanted to help their students realize the joy of giving. They emphasized that many children have little joy in their Christmas without the help of others. The administrators got in touch with a local charitable group. They worked together to form a list of needy children and the gifts they most wanted. The administrators and teachers told the students the gifts they would try to provide the less fortunate children and encouraged them to be creative in how they raised money. Teachers carefully explained how money for the project would be raised. They sent notes home explaining "Operation Santa" would help Santa do what he otherwise would not be able to do. They told the children they could bring donations of money and all of it would go directly to "Operation Santa" so … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of December 20, 2001 World of Religion LC report Louisiana College has achieved many of the goals it set forth in recent years - but considerable work needs to be done to ensure the missions and quality of the school, President Rory Lee told trustees during a recent board meeting. Lee offered his assessment during a routine board meeting. In reviewing the financial state of the college, Lee noted the school experienced an increase of $991,544 in long-term debt last year to bring the total to $12.2 million. However, a plan is in place to service the debt, he noted. Lee also noted that the market value of the colleges endowment declined $1.5 million (5.2 percent) to $27.5 million. Nevertheless, the school remains a strong and healthy financial institution, Lee emphasized. In addition, the Louisiana Baptist school has made significant progress toward goals outlined in late 1997. These included increasing enrollment, strengthening teaching faculty, improving maintenance of the physical plant, making technological advances, focusing on the spiritual side of the schools missions and improving college atmosphere. Each area has shown significant improvement, Lee said, citing such things as a 31 … [Read more...]
Christmas offers a reminder – in the midst of life, there is a reason to believe and a life to be communicated
C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor Nobody really spoke out loud about it, but it was clear to everyone involved - this was going to be Dads last Christmas. He has been battling cancer for five months. By the time it was diagnosed in his colon, it already had spread. Nobody really spoke out loud about it, but it was clear to everyone involved - this was going to be Dads last Christmas. He has been battling cancer for five months. By the time it was diagnosed in his colon, it already had spread. Necessary surgery and treatment left him increasingly weak. Time grew shorter and shorter. Thanksgiving had come and gone. Now, it was Christmas - and Dad could barely walk. That morning, Dads two sons helped him out of bed and into the reclining chair centered in the large living room area. From there, Mom helped him distribute his presents. He had something for everybody - wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, three grandsons. They were all there. Then, Dad received his gifts - with Mom helping to open them and encourage a response. Already, he was tiring. By the time the older son gave … [Read more...]
At Christmas time, everyone turns to the old carols – and with good reason
Ask Carol Doran about her favorite Christmas carol, and she does not hesitate with her answer. "Without question, Silent Night," says Doran, organist at Virginia Theological Seminary. "Some people think its not Christmas if you dont sing it." Ask Carol Doran about her favorite Christmas carol, and she does not hesitate with her answer. "Without question, Silent Night," says Doran, organist at Virginia Theological Seminary. "Some people think its not Christmas if you dont sing it." However, following closely behind in Dorans book, are "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World." Beloved by young and old, weekly churchgoers and those who worship mainly at Christmas, the songs make the season for many. And many songs make the season, with everyone having their favorites. Author Ace Collins started with a list of 250 tunes when he began compiling "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas," a new book by Zondervan. Paring that list back to a mere 31 gave him insights on which carols have endured and why. Throughout the 31 chapters that look at one song each, the word "simple" pops up as one of the endearing aspects of the … [Read more...]
This former American soldier never will forget ‘Stille nacht, heilige nacht’
In 1944, World War II was ravaging Europe, and Lt. Lawson Corley was a lead bombardier in the 705th bomb squadron in the U.S. Air Force. His 10-member crew had launched a successful bombing raid - which included an unexpected bonus of annihilating an enemy ammunition site - when their plane was hit. In 1944, World War II was ravaging Europe, and Lt. Lawson Corley was a lead bombardier in the 705th bomb squadron in the U.S. Air Force. His 10-member crew had launched a successful bombing raid - which included an unexpected bonus of annihilating an enemy ammunition site - when their plane was hit. The only choice for the crew was to bail out and hope they would not be captured. However, anti-aircraft flak had lodged in Corleys backpack, where his parachute was located. Nevertheless, Corley jumped, hoping his chute would open. He pulled his ripcord, which detached in his hand. As he saw the earth rushing closer, he says he knew death was imminent. He remembers saying a quick prayer to God, pledging to serve him if he would spare his life. His parachute opened at treetop level. The hard jolt to the ground knocked the 20-year-old unconscious. He was … [Read more...]
Baptists offer witness as Olympic torch heads for 2002 Winter Games
The 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay visited New Orleans last week - and Louisiana Baptists were to remind area residents of the true light of life as well. Associational worker Loy Seal distributed Olympic pocket guides to persons who gathered to catch a glimpse of the torch as it begins to make its 13,500-mile journey across the nation. Seal is director of church growth and development at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. The 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay visited New Orleans last week - and Louisiana Baptists were to remind area residents of the true light of life as well. Associational worker Loy Seal distributed Olympic pocket guides to persons who gathered to catch a glimpse of the torch as it begins to make its 13,500-mile journey across the nation. Seal is director of church growth and development at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. The torch began its American journey in Atlanta on Dec. 4 and visited New Orleans several days later. All along the way, Southern Baptists will be on hand, distributing evangelistic trading pins and Olympic pocket guides, as well as offering hospitality ministries in places. The … [Read more...]
Louisiana school prayer law struck down in federal court
A federal appeals court ruled Dec. 11 that a Louisiana law allowing public school students and teachers time each day to pray is unconstitutional. A panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voted 3-0 to affirm a federal court ruling that found the law violated the First Amendments ban on government establishment of religion. A federal appeals court ruled Dec. 11 that a Louisiana law allowing public school students and teachers time each day to pray is unconstitutional. A panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voted 3-0 to affirm a federal court ruling that found the law violated the First Amendments ban on government establishment of religion. The Louisiana legislature originally adopted the law in 1976. However, a 1999 amendment to the measure set the stage for its failure in court. The 1976 version required local school boards to permit school officials to set aside at the start of each day a "brief time in silent meditation." In 1992, the law was amended by the legislature to permit a time of "silent prayer or meditation." In 1999, the legislature removed the word "silent" from the … [Read more...]
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