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...]

During their annual meeting, Missouri Baptist Convention messengers approved motions to escrow $2 million in funding and perhaps sue five state agencies that recently moved to self-perpetuating trustee boards. During their annual meeting, Missouri Baptist Convention messengers approved motions to escrow $2 million in funding and perhaps sue five state agencies that recently moved to self-perpetuating trustee boards.   They also voted to unseat messengers from a church that recently cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention.   About 2,100 messengers voted overwhelmingly to amend a $19.2 million budget and hold funding for agencies moving to self-perpetuating boards in escrow. The amendment freezes $400,000 for Missouri’s Baptist Home, $200,000 for the Missouri Baptist Foundation, $150,000 for Windemere Conference Center, $450,000 for the Word and Way newspaper, money for four Missouri Baptist College campuses and any funding for agencies that might become self-perpetuating.   The funds are to be held in escrow until trustees of the affected institutions "rescind their actions and reinstate their former charters," the approved amendment states.   All of the affected … [Read more...]

Considerable focus has fallen on the Muslim religion since the terrorist attacks on America, supposedly by members of a fundamentalist sect of Islam.   As a result, many persons have scrambled to learn more about Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the world. Already, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide - and an estimated 6 million Muslims live in the United States. Considerable focus has fallen on the Muslim religion since the terrorist attacks on America, supposedly by members of a fundamentalist sect of Islam.   As a result, many persons have scrambled to learn more about Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the world. Already, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide - and an estimated 6 million Muslims live in the United States.   There are four major Muslim groups - Sunni, Shiite, Sufi and the Nation of Islam. However, all share basic elements of faith that differ from evangelical Christianity.   Consider the following areas outlined in a recent mailing from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board:   God ... Christians believe in one God, revealed and experienced as the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy … [Read more...]

Since Sept. 11, routine acts such as waving the flag, pledging "one nation under God" and proclaiming the words "God bless America" have taken on almost worshipful significance. Since Sept. 11, routine acts such as waving the flag, pledging "one nation under God" and proclaiming the words "God bless America" have taken on almost worshipful significance.   But what some find unifying and reassuring, others see as divisive and troubling, a blurring of the line between love of country and religion, with woe to those who do not believe.   The wall between church and state has been temporarily lowered, said Derek Davis, director of the Institute for Church-State Studies at Baylor University. "At times like this, you almost set aside the First Amendment. The excitement and emotion almost trump everything else."   The fervor that makes patriotism an almost sacred duty goes by a variety of academic labels - civil religion, public religion, even democratic faith.   Some scholars distinguish it from authentic spirituality.   "Patriotism sort of becomes a secular religion," said Pauline Maier, author of "American Scripture: Making the Declaration of … [Read more...]