ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. By Martin King NAMB Staff Writer ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. Speaking to nearly 200 NAMB staff members at NAMB’s Atlanta-area offices, Reccord said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, with “mixed emotions.” “I am thankful for the countless numbers of people we have seen come to Christ and the thousands of churches we have seen planted and nurtured,” he said. “On the other hand, I regret we were not able to complete a number of things we have started or dreamed about. I regret that events of recent weeks have created an environment which makes it difficult to lead the organization and to stay on mission.” The events Reccord referred to resulted from a lengthy article two months ago in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The article led to an investigation by NAMB’s board of … [Read more...]
Stats show drop in 2005 SBC baptisms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. By Russ Rankin Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. According to the Annual Church Profile (ACP), information gathered by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, baptisms last year dropped from 387,947 to 371,850, or -4.15 percent. “Southern Baptists should view this report as a wakeup call,” Rainer said, noting that the totals for baptisms dropped to the lowest since 1993. “We must focus our efforts, prayers and resources on reaching people for Christ. “Baptism is the outward act of obedience that pictures God’s work of redemption in a believer’s life, and so for Southern Baptists the ACP figures indicate we are faltering in our efforts to reach a lost world.” There was growth in … [Read more...]
SBC briefs
Week of April 24, 2006 Ledford named LifeWay Stores’ top manager OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BP) – Janet Ledford has been named 2005 LifeWay Christian Resources store manager of the year. Described by her employees as a person who has high standards for excellence, a passion for people and a penchant for laughter, Ledford said her favorite part of the job is ministering to those inside the store walls. “When I took [the discipleship study] ‘Experiencing God,’ I learned to join God where He is already at work,” Ledford said. “I have tried to put this in practice in my life, doing my part, and being part of something bigger.” Annually, LifeWay Christian Stores selects the store manager of the year based on financial criteria, customer feedback, professional accomplishments and contributions to LifeWay as an organization. A division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, LifeWay Christian Stores operates 126 retail outlets across the nation. Breakout sessions added to Pastors’ Conference GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Attendees to this year’s SBC Pastors’ Conference in Greensboro, N.C., will experience something different – breakout sessions. For the first time, a series of … [Read more...]
Weekly announcements
Week of April 24, 2006 By Rhonda Havens Section Editor Potpourri WEST MONROE – Fair Park church: Young Harmony in concert; May 6, 7 p.m.; Waymond Warren, pastor. LEESVILLE – East Leesville church: “Walking Worthy” ladies conference; May 6, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Gwen “Ms. Chocolate” Williams, guest speaker; lunch provided; to register, call (337) 239-3733 or DeLain Prewitt at (337) 238-1043; Gil Arthur, pastor. LONGVILLE – First church: Tom Lester, played “Ed” on the TV show Green Acres, guest speaker; May 7, 10:45 a.m.; Stuart Graves, pastor. EUNICE – Acadian Center: “Wearing of the Plaid” senior adult luncheon; May 9, 10 a.m.; Steve Horn, guest speaker; Mark Tullos, music; RSVP by May 2, wear Scottish attire; call (318) 457-9047; James Newsom, camp manager. PINEVILLE – Kingsville church: Extravagant Grace in concert; May 6, 7 p.m.; $10 per person; sponsored by the BCM at LSU-A; Wayne Jenkins, interim pastor. LIBUSE – Philadelphia church: Spring banquet featuring Dennis “The Swan” Swanburg; May 5, 6:30 p.m.; $8 per person, $3 for children up to 6th grade; to register, call (318) 442-0754; Philip Robertson, pastor. Youth START – Start church: “Youth Explosion” revival; May 7, 11 … [Read more...]
Amendment support doesn’t violate IRS code
PHOENIX (BP) – Churches can support proposed constitutional marriage amendments without any fear of losing their tax-exempt status, an attorney with a religious liberty organization says. By Michael Foust Baptist Press PHOENIX (BP) – Churches can support proposed constitutional marriage amendments without any fear of losing their tax-exempt status, an attorney with a religious liberty organization says. Seven states are scheduled to vote on marriage amendments this year, and conservatives in two others – Arizona and Colorado – are gathering signatures with the goal of being added to that list. Gary McCaleb, senior counsel with the Christian legal group Alliance Defense Fund, said pastors can voice support for the amendments from the pulpit and churches can assist in petition drives without fear of reprisal from the Internal Revenue Service. “In respect to their Internal Revenue Service tax exemption, they have a lot of liberty and leeway to support a ballot initiative,” McCaleb told Baptist Press. “As long as what they do is an insubstantial amount of their total budget, they’re pretty much free to do whatever they want in support or opposition to the ballot initiative.” Various courts have … [Read more...]
Pastor explores CP’s reach
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. “A pastor has to ask, what could we do in impacting the lostness in our world if every person would get involved in the Cooperative Program? How many more people could be reached?” Wittman, pastor of Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo., said. “What could we do if every church cooperated the way they want their members to cooperate?” Wittman continued. “If we’re not as a church giving at least 10 percent to the Cooperative Program, how can we ask our members to tithe? “I know there are other ways of doing missions, but there is no better way than the Cooperative Program. I’m talking to you as a former missionary,” said Wittman, Applewood’s pastor since 1999 and an IMB career missionary in Spain before that. “The Cooperative Program is the most effective way … [Read more...]
Excusing evil doesn’t negate effects
Men do not differ much about what things they will call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable,” observed G.K. Chesterton. The British social critic’s words have never been truer, especially when applied to the health and well-being of America’s teenagers. By Kelly Boggs Editor Men do not differ much about what things they will call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable,” observed G.K. Chesterton. The British social critic’s words have never been truer, especially when applied to the health and well-being of America’s teenagers. America’s cultural and educational elite vehemently condemn adolescent smoking as an inexcusable evil. At the same time, sex is treated as an inevitable behavior that teens are going to engage in. The elite believe nothing can be done to curb adolescent sex. Instead, they want to provide teens with comprehensive information so kids can make informed choices. Even the most casual observer would have to admit that our current dominant culture accepts teenage sex as a lesser evil than adolescent smoking. Take the way smoking has been addressed in the United States in recent years. In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon … [Read more...]
Rainer: LifeWay Research lighting a path
Christians live in an age where there is a gap between “what is” and “what should be.” Unfortunately, we do not fully know what “what is” really is. By Thom S. Rainer President, LifeWay Christian Resources Christians live in an age where there is a gap between “what is” and “what should be.” Unfortunately, we do not fully know what “what is” really is. We do not truly understand the health of our churches, the level of commitment of their members, or the level of impact churches are having in their communities. As a result churches become inefficient in reaching the spiritually lost with the gospel. We do come closer to having an idea of what should be, but we don’t know how to close the gap. LifeWay Research will help churches, Christians, culture and the unchurched clearly identify their respective realities. Additionally, LifeWay Research will propose ways to close the gap so that what should be becomes the new “what is.” I announced the launch of LifeWay Research a couple weeks ago at LifeWay’s semi-annual trustee meeting, six days after officially becoming LifeWay Christian Resources’ ninth president. I do not state this lightly: My goal is to make LifeWay Research the premier Christian … [Read more...]
Leaders pray for IMB, NAMB controversies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Looking to God and not to headlines, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee prayed Feb. 20 for the work of the SBC’s two mission boards. By Art Toalston Baptist Press editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Looking to God and not to headlines, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee prayed Feb. 20 for the work of the SBC’s two mission boards. Addressing controversies that have buffeted the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board in recent weeks, EC President Morris H. Chapman asked EC chairman and California pastor Rob Zinn to lead in a time of prayer for the two entities. The IMB had called for the removal of one of its trustees over accountability issues, but the board’s executive committee recently called for the request to be dropped in light of accountability guidelines to be proposed by a trustee committee. NAMB, meanwhile, has challenged the accuracy and fairness of an analysis piece in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention, alleging deficiencies in the entity’s work in evangelism and church planting and its retention of fulltime missionaries. NAMB also challenged the paper’s … [Read more...]
DOMS gather for ministry emphasis
PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Director of Missions Fellowship met Feb. 21 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville for its quarterly meeting. The gathering was characterized by warm fellowship and an emphasis on ministry. By Kelly Boggs Editor PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Director of Missions Fellowship met Feb. 21 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville for its quarterly meeting. The gathering was characterized by warm fellowship and an emphasis on ministry. Following a light lunch, Fellowship president, Herb Dickerson – DOM for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Associations – provided leadership for a program that included updates on recovery efforts in New Orleans as well as introductions to ministries taking place in Louisiana. Joe McKeever, DOM of BAGNO, the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, indicated the situation is still very difficult in the Crescent City. “If you really want to hurt someone in our city,” McKeever said, “just say to them, ‘I hear things are back to normal in New Orleans.’” Freddie Arnold, a church planter missionary with BAGNO, whose responsibilities now include coordinating the disaster relief and recovery operations, reported there is still much … [Read more...]
