By Stewart Holloway How long has it been? That question is rather open ended, isn’t it? It begs a follow up question - Since what? These days we’re developing a long list of things we haven’t done in a while. How long has it been since we gathered for worship, went to a ballgame, ate at our favorite restaurant, went to class, had friends over, went in to work . . . . The long “been” creates a longing in our hearts for our favorite things but also many of the normal and mundane things of life. This question has been on my mind, creating another longing, however. I’ve been asking, “How long has it been since we saw an awakening in America?” Of course, I know the answer. While I didn’t have a course on leading your church through a world-wide pandemic in seminary, I did have an engaging doctoral seminar on spiritual awakenings. The last awakening that spread across all of America was also the first and only global awakening. It occurred over a century ago now, which means no one living today experienced it. This is the only era in America’s existence that there aren’t people alive who experienced a great awakening. On one hand, that is sad because it means no one can tell us first hand about the experience. We … [Read more...]

By D0n Pucik COVINGTON, La. - As the coronavirus disease spreads around the globe, thousands of deaths have forced decision-makers to cancel sporting events, restrict international travel, and discourage common social interactions. Individuals are being asked to self‑quarantine themselves. Financial markets are in disarray. Daily lives are being disrupted. For the elderly and others with weakened immune systems, the virus is more than an inconvenience: it is a deadly threat. Churches are also affected. Meeting for worship, Bible study, and fellowship, Christian congregations often represent the largest weekly gatherings in their communities. Church members sit near one another. They shake hands. They hug. They share meals. However, those routine interactions can easily facilitate disease transmission from one person to another. So, what should church leaders do to keep members safe? How can churches protect themselves and spread the gospel at the same time? How can they serve the hurting ones around them without exposing them to further harm (by unintentionally spreading the disease)? Here are five ways your church can respond to the dangers and disruptions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. (1) Rely on the … [Read more...]

By Stewart Holloway Do you live in fear or faith? COVID-19 has revealed a spirit of fear in America and the world. The financial markets have plummeted, store shelves are going bare, schools are shutting down, and sporting events are banning spectators. I am no scientist or medical doctor, however, I do have common sense. This reaction is madness. “Breaking news: one more person in the world has contracted the virus.” One in the WORLD? That’s not breaking news. If this disease can be prevented by washing your hands and is only dangerous to people to whom the flu and pneumonia are already dangerous, we need to calm down. Should we be practical to prevent spread, yes. But we have no reason to live in fear. Christians, could we start setting an example of what it means to live by faith and not by fear? Psalm 34 is one of the most powerful passages in the Bible on dealing with fear. King David wrote this psalm when he was pretending to be insane to protect himself. Since many people are being truly insane to protect themselves from COVID-19, we need to hear these truths today. These truths can also help if you are dealing with some rational fears today. Praise frames our prayers when our circumstances are … [Read more...]

By John Hebert, Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team leader ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits each leader needs to develop. Academic training prepares the mind about broad concepts and specific ideas and strategic planning creates consistency and cohesion among diverse units on the battlefield. But, it’s all about being able to adapt to situations as they actually exist that makes all the difference, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. It’s about being flexible in situations in real time in the real world that require real action without which defeat or setback would occur. When I was a youngster enjoying my summers, I had friends who would come to our house after church on Sunday nights. Bobby and Ruby Ulmer were members of our church and had a family of five, the same as my parents, and kids about the same ages as my brothers and my sister and I. Our parents would not let 10 kids share the house with them while they were visiting, so they made us play outside…at night…in the dark. But, that was fine with us. We played active games like “Chase” and “Hide and Go Seek” in the dark. At first playing in the dark was very challenging simply because it took … [Read more...]

By Waylon Bailey James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits. Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. Think about marriages. Most of the time we think about what our spouse doesn’t do. He/she doesn’t meet my needs, think about me, etc. James Clear would say that we have to add value to others before we can ask value from others. In other words, be sure that you are giving fully before you ask to receive. While I don’t know about James Clear’s religious beliefs, like so many other helpful people he is really expressing powerful words found in Scripture. Jesus told us to “do unto others as you want them to do for you.” Have you applied that to your marriage, your family, your friends at school, or your workplace? Have you considered the kind of difference this could make? What about what Jesus said about loving others as you love yourself? Would this turn everything around you upside down? And, what if two people in the marriage practice “doing unto others” and “loving others as we love ourselves?” Have you thought about your … [Read more...]

By John Hebert ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—I’ve learned a lot about leadership through the years, especially as a pastor and working with other pastors in my ministry with the Louisiana Baptist Convention. But some of the most memorable lessons, and many of the fundamentals, I learned while playing basketball for great coaches: -- Dale Skinner, the Rapides High School head coach during my freshman year, was inducted into the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; -- Rick Huckabay was my Rapides High coach for the next three years; won the 1973 AA State Championship; and was inducted to the Louisiana Athletic Hall of Fame; and, -- LSU Coach Dale Brown, a four-time SEC Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. What was common about these championship coaches is the unique emphasis each of them placed on using each player’s strengths, or giftedness, as they put together top teams. Wise leaders always use the giftedness of others – taking inventory of the resources of the people around them and employing them on their team according to their giftedness. In a previous article on creating ownership, I discussed in depth the need for leaders to recruit capable … [Read more...]