His statement, coming from a saddened expression, always puzzled me. "I just think about my little wife, sitting at home having a sandwich while we are here enjoying this fine meal."   Was he serious? If he was so serious, why didn’t he send his "fine meal" back to the kitchen or simply order a sandwich? His statement, coming from a saddened expression, always puzzled me. "I just think about my little wife, sitting at home having a sandwich while we are here enjoying this fine meal."   Was he serious? If he was so serious, why didn’t he send his "fine meal" back to the kitchen or simply order a sandwich?   He was a wonderful preacher/pastor who was called upon to speak multitudes of times each year, plus he was in places of convention leadership through the years. (Believe it, when Baptists meet, they eat - well - wherever). He always said that little ditty about his wife. Maybe he just felt better remembering her and knowing he could tell her what he told us when he got home. Sort of a preventive strike.   That same sort of guilt may have driven a pastor-friend of mine here in Central Louisiana during the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   He and his good friend … [Read more...]

During my first full-time pastorate, I learned a very important and valuable lesson as our church sought God’s will in constructing a new building. The Building Committee had worked very hard and we paid a good deal of money to a renowned architect. During my first full-time pastorate, I learned a very important and valuable lesson as our church sought God’s will in constructing a new building. The Building Committee had worked very hard and we paid a good deal of money to a renowned architect. Finally, at a specially-called business meeting, we were ready to proceed with the vote. Shockingly, the recommendation for this building passed by only a slim margin. Those of us involved in the process were dismayed. Then, a very interesting thing happened. One of our elderly deacons stood up and addressed the gathering. He said that although the motion passed, it would be unwise to proceed given the small margin of victory. We dare not undertake such a weighty endeavor, he explained, without the vast majority of members behind it. He then made a motion that we not proceed with plans to construct the new building. It passed overwhelmingly. In subsequent weeks, we learned what was the real heart of our people for a new … [Read more...]

Most of the messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention received a copy of LIFeline when we entered the hall Monday night or Tuesday morning. On the back page is a note titled "Did he really say that?" It quotes an article in the Nov. 1, 2000, edition of the Baton Rouge Advocate to say that Dr. Perry Sanders "does not support the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement because the document opposed "homosexuality, adultery, pornography and abortion, and says that women can’t be pastors." Most of the messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention received a copy of LIFeline when we entered the hall Monday night or Tuesday morning. On the back page is a note titled "Did he really say that?" It quotes an article in the Nov. 1, 2000, edition of the Baton Rouge Advocate to say that Dr. Perry Sanders "does not support the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message statement because the document opposed "homosexuality, adultery, pornography and abortion, and says that women can’t be pastors."   Did he really say that? The answer is "No."   I received a copy of the letter the article is based on, and a copy of the article that appeared in the Advocate. Both are available online: Dr. Sanders’ letter at … [Read more...]

I am writing concerning an article in the recent issue of "The Voice" in which I was portrayed as being well-known statewide as an antagonist of Louisiana College. I have no opportunity to respond in the next issue of "The Voice" and so am turning to this forum for a response. I am writing concerning an article in the recent issue of "The Voice" in which I was portrayed as being well-known statewide as an antagonist of Louisiana College. I have no opportunity to respond in the next issue of "The Voice" and so am turning to this forum for a response.   First, I am hardly well-known for anything throughout our state. Secondly, I am not - nor have ever been - an antagonist of Louisiana College. Those slanderous attacks are completely unfounded and false.   The trustworthiness of the editors’ attack should be placed in the same category as his statement that I was to be a speaker at the pastors’ conference - a detail obviously overlooked by those who prepared the program for the conference. I am flattered that the editor of "The Voice" thinks highly of me as he seems to, but I do wish his comments would be more accurate. Nathan R. Luce Prairieville … [Read more...]

Acknowledgment can be a narcotic that dulls one’s need to do something. Example: Christmas has become too commercial. Just saying that, acknowledging it, eases some of the guilt that might cause us to spend less on things and more time on people. Acknowledgment can be a narcotic that dulls one’s need to do something. Example: Christmas has become too commercial. Just saying that, acknowledging it, eases some of the guilt that might cause us to spend less on things and more time on people. Example: I need to visit the person I saw yesterday. Just acknowledging assures us that we are spiritually sensitive enough to notice others. That touch of assurance may keep us near the truth of the statement but move us no further toward making the visit. Example: The world needs Christ. Just acknowledging that makes us feel better. Our spirits are lifted, even if only so slightly, by this acknowledgment, so we do not feel a drive to do something tangible about a lost world. This narcotic effect of acknowledgment, strangely enough, can be the enemy of goodness. One would think constantly talking about doing something would bring about doing it, but it usually has the opposite effect. Practically, a person who talks … [Read more...]

They are known as a hidden civilization - by their own choosing, they have lived isolated in remote southwest China for centuries, undisturbed by the outside world, forgotten by their national government and untouched by the gospel. They are known as a hidden civilization - by their own choosing, they have lived isolated in remote southwest China for centuries, undisturbed by the outside world, forgotten by their national government and untouched by the gospel.   Their name is derived from a word meaning "barrier." It is a historical reflection of their outlook on the rest of the world. The 3.1 million Dong people are spread across rugged provinces in China. Their fear and suspicion of outsiders present one of the most formidable barriers to the gospel.   And as Southern Baptists focus on reaching the world with the gospel during their annual focus on international missions, the Dong people also serve as a symbol of the task that awaits. (The annual Week of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is set for December 3-10 in churches across the Southern Baptist Convention.)   Christian mission workers have made attempts to … [Read more...]

Affecting change in a church requires a slow pace - four to six years in some cases - and a long-term commitment from the staff, a pair of pastors stressed.   "You must go slow," said Hal Mayer, co-pastor at Flamingo Road Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "You will kill a church if you are transitioning too quickly." Affecting change in a church requires a slow pace - four to six years in some cases - and a long-term commitment from the staff, a pair of pastors stressed.   "You must go slow," said Hal Mayer, co-pastor at Flamingo Road Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "You will kill a church if you are transitioning too quickly."   Mayer joined fellow pastor Dan Southerland in delivering the annual Layne Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The pair lead a church that has grown from 300 members to some 2,500.   The average transition in a local church takes four years or more, Mayer said.   "If you don’t have time to transition a church over four to five years, then do not lead that church," Southerland emphasized during his comments. "It is immoral to lead change and then leave the church."   Unfortunately, most staff … [Read more...]

The reality of hell may be unpopular in today’s pluralistic world, but it is biblical and a reflection of a righteous and holy God, James Parker insisted. The reality of hell may be unpopular in today’s pluralistic world, but it is biblical and a reflection of a righteous and holy God, James Parker insisted.   Just look at Romans 3:9-23, said Parker, professor of worldview and culture at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He compared the biblical text to a defendant standing before a judge in a courtroom. He pointed to passages within the text that remind persons that "no one is righteous" and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."   The passage makes it clear, Parker said.   "The verdict is in, and the verdict is damnation," he explained. "This is the logic of (the) argument. God is a holy God. God is a righteous God. God has revealed himself through nature. God has revealed himself through the law.   "And on both counts, we’re guilty and without excuse, ..." the seminary professor added. "The defendant doesn’t even try to give a case, it’s so overwhelming.   "We are indicted. We are judged. We are found guilty. We are found damned. We … [Read more...]

For the week of November 30, 2000 Potpourri •ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: 2000 Banquet of Champions recognizing eight area "Outstanding Christian Athletes;" Dec. 4, 7 p.m.; former NFL quarterback Neal Jeffrey, guest speaker; tickets $8 purchased from student ministry office, call (318) 445-5640; Jack Fiscus, minister to students; David Brooks, pastor.   •NEW ORLEANS - Lifeway Christian Store grand re-opening, Dec. 2; located on campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd; for more information call (504) 282-2626. Anniversaries •BASTROP - First church: 150th; Dec. 3, 10:15 a.m., Ray Rust and L. H. McCollough, special guest speakers; dinner to follow; Mark Strum, pastor. Revivals •DEQUINCY - New Hope church: Dec. 3, 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Bill Britt, evangelist; Dec. 4-5, 7 p.m.; Herb Reavis, evangelist; Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Bill Britt, evangelist; Glenn Price, music; Jerry W. Chaddick, pastor. Ministers Needed •EUNICE - Trinity church: full-time pastor; send resumes to: Trinity Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, P. O. Box 1560, Eunice, LA 70535   •REDDELL - Freedom church: bi-vocational pastor; send resumes to: Reddell Baptist Church, Attn: … [Read more...]