As an employee of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe, my heart was literally hurt when I read comments regarding the search for a new executive director of the home. As an employee of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe, my heart was literally hurt when I read comments regarding the search for a new executive director of the home.   That "actual child care experience would be one of the least important qualifications" for the head of an institution that has been committed to child care ministry for 104 years reflects a lack of understanding of the nature of child care ministry. The home must have a godly leader who has an understanding and background in child care ministry. That we must have a "pastor out there" is a personal attack on every godly man and woman who works day in and day out providing spiritual guidance to the children under their care.   We have six ordained men with many years of pastoral experience. Other committed Christians daily pray for, pray with and model their faith for our girls and boys. Our girls and boys are "pastored" much more diligently and consistently than most church members will ever experience.   I invite you to join us … [Read more...]

Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, "Chaplaincy Change"   How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has "left" his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, "Chaplaincy Change"   How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has "left" his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board.   What a contradicting statement from NAMB Vice President John Yarbrough to praise Chaplain Vickers as a "tremendous Christian gentleman" and say he will continue to be "a part of the Southern Baptist chaplain family" and then give no reason for the dismissal. A paraphrase could be, "He is a good man, but we don’t want him here on our staff" for undisclosed reasons.   Chaplain Vickers has served the military and our Lord and denomination in an outstanding ministry. It was with great disgust and sadness that I learned of his dismissal.   At a time such as our nation faces now, what a contradiction of statement and, in my opinion, an absence of wisdom and good judgment to … [Read more...]

I find it horrifying that the president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Richard Land, would publicly support state-sponsored killing of human beings. ("Death penalty support," Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two) I find it horrifying that the president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Richard Land, would publicly support state-sponsored killing of human beings. ("Death penalty support," Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two) Can anyone imagine Jesus indulging in the kind of calculation which claims that by killing one person, we can save 18 more? It sounds more like the reasoning employed by Caiaphas (John 11:49-50) when he was arguing for the execution of Jesus.   Larry D. Johnson Monroe … [Read more...]

My father, Earl D. Mercer, invested twenty-eight years of his life to the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. He worked with two excellent executive directors, Wade B. East and. John R. Williams, neither of whom came from the pastorate. My father, Earl D. Mercer, invested twenty-eight years of his life to the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. He worked with two excellent executive directors, Wade B. East and. John R. Williams, neither of whom came from the pastorate.   I was grieved to read the article (February 20) about the search for a new executive director for the home. Rev. Danny Pitts, trustee, made statements that were of great concern, saying that it was important to have an executive director who could direct children spiritually and that having childcare experience would be one of the least important qualifications. He said, "The kids need a pastor out there, if you will, someone who can spiritually train them. It needs to be a spiritual atmosphere."   Those statements are hurtful to the committed Christian men and women who have given - and give - their lives to the spiritual development of the children’s home and to the pastors, youth … [Read more...]

Baptist Message 2/20/03, Re: Search for the new LBCH leader.   I am concerned and disheartened to know those seeking a leader would say that an individual has to be a pastor and have seminary training. My Bible teaches that pastors are to be shepherds to lead, guide and encourage the congregation, not dictate commands and jurisdiction. Baptist Message 2/20/03, Re: Search for the new LBCH leader.   I am concerned and disheartened to know those seeking a leader would say that an individual has to be a pastor and have seminary training. My Bible teaches that pastors are to be shepherds to lead, guide and encourage the congregation, not dictate commands and jurisdiction. There are many lay individuals who have much to offer in the spiritual training aspect for all youth, from cradle roll up. There are several pastors already on the campus who do a tremendous job of teaching, training, encouraging, loving and caring for youth.   Many boys and girls have been saved through the leadership at the LBCH or the church they attend as a cottage group or church activities in which they participate, plus the LBCH chapel worship held on Wednesdays.   Laypeople, some of whom can’t be on … [Read more...]

For the week of March 13, 2003 Potpourri • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Selah in concert; March 20, 7 p.m.; $10 per ticket; for tickets, call (318) 322-2782; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • HEBERT - Welcome Home church: The Forgiven Choir in concert; March 23, 11 a.m.; Bill Gueringer, pastor.   • SWARTZ - First church: Hosting a free baseball clinic at East Ouachita Swartz Recration Center featuring Clay Parker, former major league pitcher; March 15, 10 a.m. - noon; to register, call the church at (318) 343-0287 or Steve Dark at (318) 343-1630; please give name and age; Collin Wimberly, pastor.   • LAFAYETTE - First church: "Planting the Seed" associational missions picnic; March 21, 6 p.m registration and 6:30 p.m. program; Paul McDaniel, guest speaker; $6 per person; to register, call Deb Roseman at (337) 856-6484; deadline March 16; Perry Sanders, pastor.   • DENHAM SPRINGS - Riverside church: "Why and How to Live Debt Free" Financial Freedom Seminar; March 23, 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 24, 7 p.m.; nursery provided; Wayne Coleman, seminar leader; Gerald S. Martin, pastor.   • JONESVILLE - Patton church: Area wide gospel singing; March 15, 6:30 p.m.; Tommy … [Read more...]

Tom Brokaw, anchor of "NBC Nightly News," painted a noted Southern Baptist pastor as "preaching hate" during a recent newscast.   At the outset of the Feb. 25 program, Brokaw touted an upcoming segment focusing on Jerry Vines with three clipped sentences: "Preaching hate. When words from the pulpit sound like words of war. American versus American." Tom Brokaw, anchor of "NBC Nightly News," painted a noted Southern Baptist pastor as "preaching hate" during a recent newscast.   At the outset of the Feb. 25 program, Brokaw touted an upcoming segment focusing on Jerry Vines with three clipped sentences: "Preaching hate. When words from the pulpit sound like words of war. American versus American."   The targeting of Vines stems from Vines’ declaration last summer that Muslim prophet Muhammad was a "demon-possessed pedophile" for having married one of his wives at age 6 and consummating the union when she was 9.   He later cited Islamic writings known as the Hadith as the source of his statement. Vines is pastor at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., and a former Southern Baptist Convention president.   In introducing the segment, Brokaw stated: "Tonight, … [Read more...]

A Southern Baptist missionary was killed and another missionary and her children were injured when a bomb exploded March 4 at the airport in Davao City, Philippines.   William P. "Bill" Hyde, 59, died in surgery from severe head and leg injuries. Barbara Wallis Stevens, 33, was slightly injured, as were her 4-year-old daughter, Sarah. Her 10-month-old son, Nathan, suffered a shrapnel wound to the liver. He was in delicate condition for 48 hours before being released from intensive care and upgraded to stable condition at mid-week. A Southern Baptist missionary was killed and another missionary and her children were injured when a bomb exploded March 4 at the airport in Davao City, Philippines.   William P. "Bill" Hyde, 59, died in surgery from severe head and leg injuries. Barbara Wallis Stevens, 33, was slightly injured, as were her 4-year-old daughter, Sarah. Her 10-month-old son, Nathan, suffered a shrapnel wound to the liver. He was in delicate condition for 48 hours before being released from intensive care and upgraded to stable condition at mid-week.   "Our hearts go out to these families and their co-workers, ..." said Larry Cox, a spokesperson for the Southern Baptist … [Read more...]

The weather was terrible. Horrid. Putrid. Miserable. Virulent.   Did I say the weather was bad?   That guy kept sitting there in his boat, casting as if there were no tomorrow, as well there might not be for him.   Early morning fog eerily shrouded the entire lake. On those rare occasions one could see fifty yards away, one would celebrate the opening. The openings always closed quickly. The weather was terrible. Horrid. Putrid. Miserable. Virulent.   Did I say the weather was bad?   That guy kept sitting there in his boat, casting as if there were no tomorrow, as well there might not be for him.   Early morning fog eerily shrouded the entire lake. On those rare occasions one could see fifty yards away, one would celebrate the opening. The openings always closed quickly.   The shoreline was nothing more than a dim outline. The defining outline of trees blurred into indefinite shapes. No one should be outside this day, much less on a lake.   Then came the rain. Starting as a heavy mist, the precipitation gradually became a light shower. The size of the water droplets became larger and the shower became a light rain.   The … [Read more...]

She is going about her work with intensity. One would think the task far more important by watching her work than one might otherwise consider the job.   She was picking up trash around the entrance of the business. No piece was too small for attention. Cigarette butts, large pieces of paper, tiny pieces of paper. She is going about her work with intensity. One would think the task far more important by watching her work than one might otherwise consider the job.   She was picking up trash around the entrance of the business. No piece was too small for attention. Cigarette butts, large pieces of paper, tiny pieces of paper.   Her hands were soon full. She walked quickly to the trash container and put the collected trash in the repository.   She went back at her task. Soon, another handful, and another trip to the trash repository.   Her circle of attention expanded and soon, there was no piece of trash anywhere around.   She could have done her job more quickly and easily if she had carried a trash bag around with her. But one strongly suspects that she had not intended to start her day picking up trash. Rather, it seemed more impulsive, like she … [Read more...]