If churches are fulfilling their missions, they will be reaching out to people who have problems, Jim Young emphasized recently. If churches are fulfilling their missions, they will be reaching out to people who have problems, Jim Young emphasized recently.   And that means they will be opening themselves up to a variety of possible crises, added Young, director of the Center for Community Ministries of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.   A "crisis" is any traumatic event in which people are beyond their normal ability to cope, Young explained during a recent Southern Baptist conference on helping churches deal with such events. The "Churches and Crisis" conference was sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Conference.   Young’s definition encompasses events such as the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. However, it also covers a variety of possible situations, he indicated.   "If you have two people, there is a potential for crisis," the Texas Baptist worker explained. "When you get three or more people, the odds go way up."   Since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, people have become more conscious of … [Read more...]

A Baptist leader recently offered tips for helping children cope with crises, including the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. A Baptist leader recently offered tips for helping children cope with crises, including the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.   Jim Young reviewed eight tips at a recent Southern Baptist conference. The director of the Center for Community Ministries of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, urged parents and workers with children to:   • Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships. Love and care is a primary need, Young said. Time should be spent to let children know that someone will care for them and, if parents are survivors, that they have reassumed roles as protector and nurturer. Physical closeness is key.   • Talk with children about the tragedy and address the irrationality and suddenness of disaster. Children need to be allowed to vent their feelings, as do adults, and they have a similar need to have those feelings validated, Young said. Activities that offer children time to paint, draw or write about a situation may be useful.   • Be prepared to tolerate regressive behaviors and accept the manifestation of … [Read more...]

Steve James announced earlier this year that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president at next month’s annual meeting. Steve James announced earlier this year that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president at next month’s annual meeting.   James, 50, has served as pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles since 1996. Prior to that, he served as pastor of four churches from 1979-96, one in Missouri, one in Oklahoma and two in Texas. He also served as minister of outreach at Casa View Baptist Church in Dallas from 1975-79. He arrived at Trinity after serving six years at Memorial Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas.   James is a native of Hayward, Calif., and a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. He received his masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.   James has served in various denominational positions, including on the Baptist General Convention of Texas Mission Advance team in 1989, during which time he was responsible for making personal contact with churches to make Cooperative Program presentations available. He also served on several Sunday School enrollment teams, … [Read more...]

Waylon Bailey recently announced to church members that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president at next month’s annual meeting. Waylon Bailey recently announced to church members that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president at next month’s annual meeting.   Bailey, 53, has served as pastor at First Baptist Church of Covington, since 1989. Prior to that, he served as pastor of four churches from 1966-1978, including two in Louisiana - First Baptist Church of Donaldsonville and Superior Avenue in Bogalusa. Beginning in 1978, he served as chair of the Division of Biblical Studies and as professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, continuing in that post for six years after arriving in Covington.   Bailey is a native of Brantley, Ala., and a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. He received his masters degree and doctorate from New Orleans Seminary.   Bailey is the author of five books, including the 1998 Winter Bible Study book on Joshua and The New American Commentary book on Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah, released in 1998. He is the author of various Bible study, … [Read more...]

Talking on cell phones distracts drivers some folks believe. My friend scoffs at such thinking.   She is the consummate cell phone talker who catches up on all her personal phone calls on her cell phone while driving. Talking on cell phones distracts drivers some folks believe. My friend scoffs at such thinking.   She is the consummate cell phone talker who catches up on all her personal phone calls on her cell phone while driving.   She has a son who lives in a distant state, two sisters in adjoining states, a daughter in the northern part of the state and a mother across the state.   There is never enough time to talk to them while at home. You ladies know what it is like to work 40 hours a week and try to take care of the house, etc., etc., etc., on evenings and weekends.   This lady utilizes every driving moment by talking to her loved ones by cell phone. She is absolutely certain it never has distracted her, does not distract her, never will distract her from driving. Never.   Not long ago, she was in Lafayette. As soon as she completed her business, she started home and dialed her sister’s number on the cell phone. They entered animated … [Read more...]

This month, a group of Louisianians will meet, representing a phenomenal volunteer organization. The definition of phenomenal is "extraordinary or prodigious" and this organization qualifies. This month, a group of Louisianians will meet, representing a phenomenal volunteer organization. The definition of phenomenal is "extraordinary or prodigious" and this organization qualifies.   While all of its members will not be present at the meeting, the organization claims almost 700,000 members statewide, plus another group who attend regularly but are not members. One out of seven citizens of the state belongs to this volunteer army. This must be one of the largest organizations in our state.   This charitable organization carries on a plethora of programs that improve individual lives and the quality of life in local communities, the state and the nation.   They have an education program which rivals that of public education. Some parts of the organization have education systems that go from birth through graduate schools.   They hardly restrict their programs to the elite of our state. They teach, without charge, illiterates how to read and write. Members teach … [Read more...]

Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   During a recent chapel address at the school he served as president, Leavell told current students that after 53 years in the ministry, he had learned many things he never was taught in seminary.   "I don’t walk with the presumptuous step of a know-it-all, but there are some things you need to be told," he noted.   Leavell said a pastor should consider himself blessed to be called to a Southern Baptist church. He reminded students … [Read more...]

For the week of November 8, 2001 Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   During a recent chapel address at the school he served as president, Leavell told current students that after 53 years in the ministry, he had learned many things he never was taught in seminary.   "I don’t walk with the presumptuous step of a know-it-all, but there are some things you need to be told," he noted.   Leavell said a pastor should consider himself blessed to be called to a Southern Baptist church. He reminded students that the work of a pastor is a calling and a job - not a position. "God places you there, and work will keep you there," he noted.   The work of a pastor also is a determined activity, and a pastor must set goals, Leavell continued. "Make up your mind what you are going to do, what kind of church you are going to have and how to lead … [Read more...]

My wife and I enjoyed your Second Thought " ... Pocket on a shirt ..." last night about midnight.   My youngest son gave me three books several years ago, and I am just now finishing them. May I recommend them to any serious pastor or student? My wife and I enjoyed your Second Thought " ... Pocket on a shirt ..." last night about midnight.   My youngest son gave me three books several years ago, and I am just now finishing them. May I recommend them to any serious pastor or student?   All are by Dr. Gregory Boyd, at the time teaching at Bethel College and Seminary (Baptist General Conference): "God at War," "God of the Possible" and "Cynic Sage or Son of God?"   Dr. Boyd, now is pastor at Northern Hill in St. Paul Minnesota.   Thanks for a wonderful paper like the Baptist Message.   John A. Strom Minden … [Read more...]

I was very much impressed by the article in the October 18 issue that quoted from the debate between Dr. Paige Patterson and a well-known Methodist theologian. I would like to lift out a vital quote by Dr. Patterson. I was very much impressed by the article in the October 18 issue that quoted from the debate between Dr. Paige Patterson and a well-known Methodist theologian. I would like to lift out a vital quote by Dr. Patterson.   "It is not the church itself that is the infallible teacher of God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired the Word of God who is to be the great internal teacher. And it is that ability of the Holy Spirit to teach the one reading the book that makes it so very important that everyone have access to the Word of God."   Brothers and sisters, the great Southern Baptist controversy is over! The architect of the takeover has clearly and beautifully stated exactly the so-called "moderate" (I prefer historic Baptist) position. You don’t think so? Read this quote: "Interpretation of the Bible cannot be left up to the ‘priestcraft,’ which would allow the magisterium, the pope, or the academy (or the Baptist Faith and Message?-pl) ultimately to tell us what the Bible … [Read more...]