Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   When John Q. Church Member sees an annual line item of $35,000 for the minister’s salary, the inclination is to compare that salary to someone who works in the secular arena, such as Wal-Mart or Saturn, Skidmore explained during a recent address at the Southern Baptist school.   But when one examines the comparison more closely, the minister really is not making the same, he said.   Indeed, … [Read more...]

It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays. It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays.   What if a Muslim worker wants time off for Eid al-Fitr?   What if someone of the Baha’i faith wants special arrangements for the nine Holy Days during which that religion forbids work?   Or what about Hindus who celebrate a number of holidays that fall on … [Read more...]

More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics. More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics.   "There are all kinds of festivals," she related. "Anywhere people are gathered and they are excited and they are open, it’s the same principle, basically, of meeting people where they are."   Williams offered three tips for churches looking to minister at special events:   • Look at what is happening. Nearly every community has a local fair, festival or event that draws people together, Williams said. The secret is looking around to see what ministry opportunities are available.   "Put … [Read more...]

Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the conversation - offering glimpses of Keyes’ life in Louisiana and Honduras. Editor’s Note: The following article represents the first in a periodic series in which the Baptist Message will seek to update stories that appeared in earlier issues of the state newspaper. In this instance, the article is based on a story that appeared in the November 12, 1964 issue of the Baptist Message.   Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Mark Short died March 20 in Alexandria.   Short was 73. He had been diagnosed with cancer late last year.   The Texas native enjoyed a 47-year career in Southern Baptist life, serving churches, as a seminary professor and as leader of the 1,500-church Louisiana Baptist Convention. Former LBC Executive Director Mark Short dies   Former Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Mark Short died March 20 in Alexandria.   Short was 73. He had been diagnosed with cancer late last year.   The Texas native enjoyed a 47-year career in Southern Baptist life, serving churches, as a seminary professor and as leader of the 1,500-church Louisiana Baptist Convention.   Short was a graduate of three institutions. After graduating from the University of New York, Short earned a masters degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma and a doctor of education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   Short spent 16 years serving five churches in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas as either minister of music or education.   In 1966, he became … [Read more...]

More than 100 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently obeyed Christ’s advice, as they took up their cross and followed him - literally.   The theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Acteens Conference was "Carry the Cross." At the beginning of the Friday night session, Acteens from Mississippi carried a six-foot wooden cross into Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, where the Louisiana Acteens were meeting. More than 100 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently obeyed Christ’s advice, as they took up their cross and followed him - literally.   The theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Acteens Conference was "Carry the Cross." At the beginning of the Friday night session, Acteens from Mississippi carried a six-foot wooden cross into Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, where the Louisiana Acteens were meeting.   The cross remained before the girls in the activities building until the convention’s Saturday morning session, when the participants followed other Acteens as they carried the cross from the building out to the highway.   "My challenge to you is to be ready and willing to do his will," Louisiana Baptist Youth and Young Adult Director Kevin … [Read more...]

In 1969, W.D. "Step" Martin left Alabama to become pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Shreveport.   Earlier this month, Martin left that pastorate, retiring after 33 years of ministry marked by growth and baptisms. In 1969, W.D. "Step" Martin left Alabama to become pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Shreveport.   Earlier this month, Martin left that pastorate, retiring after 33 years of ministry marked by growth and baptisms.   "Calvary Baptist Church has never been about buildings," Martin said during a retirement service attended by hundreds at Bossier Civic Center. "It’s never been about money. It’s never been about budgets. Calvary Baptist Church is about souls."   The numbers bear out the testimony. Since Martin arrived, the church has baptized more than 4,500 and added more than 4,600 members by letter. It has moved from a five-acre site to an 80-acre plant. And its average Sunday attendance has grown from 620 to 1,000.   The church also has begun an on-site academy and established an independent budget to support worldwide missions.   "(Bro. Martin’s) ministry has touched people from Cedar Grove to New Orleans, from New York to Ethiopia," a … [Read more...]

I read with interest Jerry Rankin’s guest editorial. I am still not sure what would happen to any missionary who graciously declined to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. I read with interest Jerry Rankin’s guest editorial. I am still not sure what would happen to any missionary who graciously declined to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.   I have read the new Baptist Faith and Message closely. I notice that nothing is made of the Lord’s Supper. It is a two-line statement. I remember, as I am sure you do, when preachers constantly argued over open and closed communions, and if it was closed, was it closed to all except members of the local church that was observing it.   Under the church section, I notice that the scriptural officers are still pastors and deacons, but now only the office of pastor is limited to men. One of the hottest arguments I have ever seen was in a pastor’s fellowship meeting about women deacons or deaconesses. That appears to have passed by the wayside.   In the letter to the church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:18, Jesus said that woman which calls herself a prophetess. There were women who prophesied in the Bible. I have heard arguments pro and con … [Read more...]

For the week of March 28, 2002 Potpourri • NATCHITOCHES - First church: children’s choir presents "Jailhouse Rock," April 14, 6 p.m.; Karen Townsend and Roxanne Lane, directors; Clarence Powell, interim pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: work day; April 6, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; for men/women/youth; lunch will be served; for information call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • MARINGOUIN - First church: Wild Horse Ministries featuring Paul Daily; April 7, 3 p.m.; bring a lawn chair; James Womack, pastor.   • HAUGHTON - Koran church: Wild Horse Ministries featuring Paul Daily: April 12, 7 p.m.; George Rogers, pastor.   • LIBUSE - Philadelphia church: associational Vacation Bible School clinic; April 8, 6-9 p.m.; nursery care provided; Philip Robertson, pastor.   • NATCHITOCHES - First church: Inner Peace in concert; April 7, 6 p.m.; Clarence Powell, interim pastor. Easter Programs • HORNBECK - First church: "Calvary’s Song" musical; March 31, 11 a.m.; Jerry Jeane, worship leader; Jerry Key, pastor.   • GRETNA - First church: "Alleluia" musical; March 31, 10:45 a.m.; Karen Bradshaw, minister of music; Kenneth Duke, Sr., pastor.   • … [Read more...]

It always has been a struggle to reach teenagers for Christ, but those born since 1984 may be the toughest to reach yet, Christian researcher George Barna said.   The "Mosaic Generation" is comprised of non-linear thinkers who cut and paste beliefs and values from a variety of sources, Barna said in a recent radio interview. It always has been a struggle to reach teenagers for Christ, but those born since 1984 may be the toughest to reach yet, Christian researcher George Barna said.   The "Mosaic Generation" is comprised of non-linear thinkers who cut and paste beliefs and values from a variety of sources, Barna said in a recent radio interview.   What is more, almost half the Mosaics do not know and do not care about moral absolutes, he added. To them, it is just a non-issue not worth arguing over, which means they are a generation comfortable with contradictions, Barna said.   Barna defines the Mosaic Generation as youngsters born between 1984 and 2002, describing them as such because they are "very mosaic" in every aspect of their lives.   "There’s (no attribute) that really dominates like you might have seen with prior generations.   "When we … [Read more...]