How much accountability does the church have for changing lives that in turn change the world?   Certainly a church is not just a business, but some businesses exercise careful self-analyses that reveal how effective they are at what they do. Companies that survive and thrive in the competitive world of business know they must continually monitor their costs per unit, expenses, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, percentage of profit and the bottom line. How much accountability does the church have for changing lives that in turn change the world?   Certainly a church is not just a business, but some businesses exercise careful self-analyses that reveal how effective they are at what they do. Companies that survive and thrive in the competitive world of business know they must continually monitor their costs per unit, expenses, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, percentage of profit and the bottom line. If businesses do not practice careful monitoring of how well they are performing, they probably will be beaten into non-existence by companies that do.   Think for a minute about what would happen if a church entered a careful self-analysis of how well it is … [Read more...]

For the week of March 6, 2003 Court decision The U.S. Supreme Court declared last week that the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute was wrongly used against the pro-life movement. The law was designed to combat drug dealers and organized crime. "This decision is a tremendous victory for those who engage in social protests," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice. "The Supreme Court forcefully rejected the argument that pro-life demonstrators were racketeers engaged in extortion. ... The ruling clearly shuts the door on using (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act) against the pro-life movement. The decision came as the nation’s high court reviewed a case involving the Operation Rescue pro-life organization. Lower courts had ruled pro-life demonstrators were liable for "extortion" and "racketeering" under the federal statute and awarded damages to abortion businesses. The high court said, while some coercion may have been involved in the protest, extortion and racketeering did not exist. Agricultural fellowship The Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship recently held its annual meeting, where members heard a trio of … [Read more...]

One can forgive Louisiana College President Rory Lee if he begins his days feeling as if he is living Murphy’s Law.   However, in this case, it is not as if everything that can go wrong - will.   It already has.   A projected enrollment increase failed to materialize last fall.   The national economy hit the skids. One can forgive Louisiana College President Rory Lee if he begins his days feeling as if he is living Murphy’s Law.   However, in this case, it is not as if everything that can go wrong - will.   It already has.   A projected enrollment increase failed to materialize last fall.   The national economy hit the skids.   Investment income took a nose dive.   Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program money came in well under expectations.   Outside gifts became scarce.   That is the bad news - the Murphy’s Law-multiplied type of bad news.   The incomprehensibly good news is - Louisiana College remains in good shape.   "The overall financial state of the college is strong," Lee emphasized recently. "Our reserve is slightly above $1.3 million, which is 30 days … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists around the state are being called to a time of intense, focused prayer as the 2003 Easter season approaches.   Many Baptists throughout the state have launched a 40-day prayer emphasis set to culminate in organized prayerwalks and prayer journey throughout the state. Louisiana Baptists around the state are being called to a time of intense, focused prayer as the 2003 Easter season approaches.   Many Baptists throughout the state have launched a 40-day prayer emphasis set to culminate in organized prayerwalks and prayer journey throughout the state.   The 40-day prayer emphasis and prayerwalk are part of a year-long "It’s Time to Pray" focus by Louisiana Baptists. Leaders planned the focus in conjunction with the "Changing Lives in Changing Times" state strategic plan.   The goal is to help Louisiana Baptist churches become "houses of prayer," as Jesus said they should be, leaders say.   The goal also is to engage in serious prayer that will shape the very future of the convention and state, they add.   "We’re talking about the future of our churches," LBC Executive Director Dean Doster has said of the ongoing effort. "We’re talking … [Read more...]

Twenty-seven years ago may seem like an eternity to some, but for the first Southern Baptist missionary to South Vietnam, April 1975, seems like yesterday.   That was the month the Communist Regime in North Vietnam gained control of the country. Twenty-seven years ago may seem like an eternity to some, but for the first Southern Baptist missionary to South Vietnam, April 1975, seems like yesterday.   That was the month the Communist Regime in North Vietnam gained control of the country.   "It was like losing a parent and spouse at the same time," says Dottie Hayes, who fled the country three weeks before the takeover by North Vietnam.   "It brings tears to my eyes."   Now retired from the missions field and living in Lafayette, Hayes and her husband, Herman, who died in 1997, entered the missions field in 1959.   The family sailed by ship from San Francisco to Hong Kong and, from there, flew into Saigon, known as the "Paris of the Orient" at the time.   "I remember the Vietnamese girls in their beautiful, long, flowing dresses and riding bicycles," Hayes says. "The picture is still very vivid in my mind’s eye."   Before the … [Read more...]

Your article about the search for a new executive for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home is an illustration of what is needed in Baptist life. To say we need a "spiritual atmosphere" is self-evident. How we create or find a spiritual atmosphere is the question. If all we need is a pastor, we already qualify. Your article about the search for a new executive for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home is an illustration of what is needed in Baptist life. To say we need a "spiritual atmosphere" is self-evident. How we create or find a spiritual atmosphere is the question. If all we need is a pastor, we already qualify.   I was a pastor for 20 years before coming to the home as director of cottage life. One requirement of my job is to be a chaplain or pastor to the children. There are four cottage fathers who were pastors before coming to the home. We also have a couple of deacons and a Sunday School teacher here and there.   We have a weekly chapel service that features children being led in music by two committed Christian ladies. Our interim executive director was a church staff person before coming to the home, and those who work in our office are all involved in ministry and … [Read more...]