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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘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 world’s 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 world’s 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 I’m 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 board’s 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 Hussein’s 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 Hussein’s 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 Saddam’s 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, Saddam’s 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 year’s 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 people’s 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...]

Baptist Collegiate Ministries on front lines in effort to reach young adults

As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching young adults - and keeping them involved.   Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States. As a recent study indicates, Southern Baptists face a challenge in reaching young adults - and keeping them involved.   Baptist Collegiate Ministries serves on the front lines of that battle, working to share the gospel and minister to college students across the United States.   The challenge is a shifting one, Baptist collegiate ministers report. In today’s marketplace of college ministry, students are shopping to fill their spiritual needs with little brand loyalty, they say.   Following a pattern that mirrors many young adults’ church-hopping spirituality, a student may turn to a non-denominational group for Christian fellowship, a Methodist ministry for Bible study and a Baptist effort to do missions.   The Baptist name carries little attraction for today’s college generation, explained Allan Thompson, director of the Baptist Student Ministry at East Texas Baptist University. Most … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist ministers’ wives gather for fellowship, personal encouragement

Two-hundred fifty Louisiana Baptists recently attended the 2003 Ministers’ Wives Retreat to fellowship and enjoy a break from everyday duties. Two-hundred fifty Louisiana Baptists recently attended the 2003 Ministers’ Wives Retreat to fellowship and enjoy a break from everyday duties.   "The reason we had this is because every minister’s wife deserves a weekend to be treated like a queen," said Cindy Townsend, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of women’s ministry and missions. "The goal of the weekend was that every woman could be encouraged in her personal walk with the Lord."   Held at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, the Ministers’ Wives’ Retreat was the highest-attended gathering since the convention began sponsoring the event four years ago, Townsend reported.   "It was the most incredible weekend I’ve ever attended," said Donna Landry, wife of Hessmer Baptist Church pastor Norris Landry. "This ranks near the top with me. I’ve had several spiritual blessings in my life, such as when I became a Christian and when I had children, but this retreat ranks way up there."   This year, Townsend said her department made a conscientious effort to contact not … [Read more...]

Personal character must be priority issue for preachers

Note: The following article represents the second in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The 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 represents the second in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The 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 are persons of great personal integrity before they are great pulpiteers.   Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) was an early contributor to the Yale Lectures on Preaching. He once defined preaching as "truth through personality."   But exactly what did Brooks mean by "personality"? Is this what turns an actor into … [Read more...]

Good common sense

The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention seems to be satisfied with the way board members are selected. Under the current way, the LBC Nominating Committee nominates board members and, then, presents them to the convention for approval. That may prove good for "equidistance" (whatever that is), but it sure does not do anything for the autonomous position of the churches. The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention seems to be satisfied with the way board members are selected. Under the current way, the LBC Nominating Committee nominates board members and, then, presents them to the convention for approval. That may prove good for "equidistance" (whatever that is), but it sure does not do anything for the autonomous position of the churches.   I am sure that most Louisiana Baptists have been under the impression that the person from their local association was representing them on the Executive Board.   This is not the case.   During the last year, when so many people were concerned about what the Executive Board wanted to do with the associational directors of missions, the members of the Executive Board received a letter from then-Executive Board … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

For the week of November 6, 2003 Potpourri   • LIVINGSTON - Midway church: Down East Boys in concert; Nov. 21, 7 p.m.; Charlie McCants, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Broadmoor church: "Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers" seminar; Nov. 21, 7-9:30 p.m. for men and women; Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; free admission; Ken R. Canfield, keynote speaker; to register, call (800) 606-6470 or online at www.fathers.com/seminar by Nov. 17; Chuck Pourciau, pastor.   • MONROE - College Place church: Testify in concert; Nov. 9, 6 p.m.; Doug Allen, pastor.   • OAK GROVE - Hill church: The Gospel Echoes in concert; Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; Jan Russell, music director; Leslie Yates, pastor.   • JENA - East Jena church: Dallas Holm in concert; Nov. 17, 7 p.m.; $10 for tickets; Craig James, pastor.   • MONROE - North Monroe church: Testify in concert; Nov. 16, 6 p.m.; Bill H. Dye, pastor.   • PINEVILLE - Louisiana College: The Louisianians in concert in the Presser Recital Hall; Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.; free admission; Cleamon Downs, coordinator of department of music; Rory Lee, president.   • WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers conference center: "Coming Soon" Bible Prophecy … [Read more...]