The Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., voted overwhelmingly to approve the motion to allow our president, Johnny Hunt, to appoint a task force to assist Southern Baptists to become more intentional and more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. The Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., voted overwhelmingly to approve the motion to allow our president, Johnny Hunt, to appoint a task force to assist Southern Baptists to become more intentional and more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. On the positive side, the enthusiastic response to this motion tells us that the heart of Southern Baptist people is to link arms in taking the Gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. Further, it demonstrates the willingness of Southern Baptists to rigorously evaluate everything they do in the light of Kingdom priorities. On the negative side for me was the vast exodus of people from the hall after the vote was taken. This was a negative because the centerpiece of Tuesday night’s schedule was the report of the International Mission Board and most of the messengers had “left the building.” One would have thought that those who were enthusiastic about … [Read more...]

One church sign revealed, “Today’s sermon: What is hell like?” Underneath the sermon title were the words “Church business meeting tonight.” One church sign revealed, “Today’s sermon: What is hell like?” Underneath the sermon title were the words “Church business meeting tonight.” Some church business meetings have been alarmingly similar to the place of torment. In Dr. W.A. Criswell’s famous sermon, “The Old Time Religion,” he tells about a church conference or church business meeting he had in the church he served as pastor when he was a student at Southern Seminary. Criswell reported, “We had a man in our church who was born in the objective mood, negative case. No matter what we were considering he was ‘agin it.’ Your church probably doesn’t have anyone born in the objective mood and negative case, but I have encountered a few people like that in the course of my ministry. I have presided over heated discussions regarding who should be in charge of the thermostat in the church worship center, the color of the carpet in the church, and whether or not to buy an electric typewriter or just keep the old manual Underwood typewriter for the church secretary. The minutes of one church business meeting recorded … [Read more...]

In the last two issues we have considered the issue of conflict in church. My perspective on this problem has changed significantly over the past 30 years in ministry. In the last two issues we have considered the issue of conflict in church. My perspective on this problem has changed significantly over the past 30 years in ministry. Some of my former perspective was summarized in five myths about church conflict (July 9). Then, in the last issue (July 23), we started considering biblical examples of church conflict. The first one was conflict between church members. Now, let’s consider a second example of conflict in the Bible: Conflict between church leaders. Peter and Paul are two titans of the New Testament. They stand above everyone else as preachers, writers, and leaders. They are the pre-eminent leaders of the early church, more responsible than any other leaders for the advance of the church in the first generation after Jesus’ ascension. It may surprise you to learn they had an intense, open, public conflict. Paul told the story in Galatians 2:11-14. In summary, Paul heard Peter was contradicting the gospel by his behavior among the Gentiles. Peter had stopped eating with Gentiles, thus withdrawing … [Read more...]

“And if a blind man guides a blind man,” Jesus said, “both will fall into a pit.” You need look no further than the United States Congress and the American populace to see a visual aid of the truth the Savior declared. “And if a blind man guides a blind man,” Jesus said, “both will fall into a pit.” You need look no further than the United States Congress and the American populace to see a visual aid of the truth the Savior declared. Senate and House committees recently approved bills designed to overhaul America’s health care industry. The House version of the legislation consists of more than 1,000 pages. President Obama pressured Congress to pass health care legislation before it recessed in August. However, several legislators from both sides of the aisle pushed back and a vote is not expected until sometime this fall. Unless things change with the modus operandi of the current Congress, when the vote is taken later this year  on health care legislation it is likely that many, perhaps most, representatives will not understand all the bill entails or exactly how much it will cost. Voting without knowing is not something new for the 111th United States Congress. Several weeks ago legislators approved a bill that … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Though members of Parkview Baptist Church Alexandria didn’t wander the desert for 40 years, they certainly can empathize with Moses and the children of Israel. For almost a year, members were like nomads as they wandered from place to place while awaiting the repair of their campus, which was damaged by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. On Sunday, July 19, the congregation of Parkview Baptist returned home 10 months and 19 days after floodwaters forced them out of their facilities and held Sunday services in their newly refurbished worship center, which featured new carpet, pews, lights, and sound system. The restoration cost more than $900,000. The church plans to have a formal rededication of the facilities and day of celebration on Sept. 20. “As I look out, I see people in their usual spots. In the year we’ve been gone, I see most of you haven’t forgotten where you sat,” Parkview Pastor David Shaw said. “It’s good to see you as we gather in God’s house this morning.” The restoration of the campus was divided into two phases. The first phase called for restoring the fellowship hall and education building, which was completed in the latter part of January. The second phase called … [Read more...]

For 50 years William Stowell has ministered to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shreveport as pastor, counselor and friend. 80 years old, Stowell said he has no plans of retiring just yet. SHREVEPORT– For 50 years William Stowell has ministered to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shreveport as pastor, counselor and friend.  80 years old, Stowell said he has no plans of retiring just yet. “I’ll keep going at Emmanuel as long as they let me,” Stowell said. “I’d go crazy if I couldn’t preach every Sunday. I love the grind during the week, getting sermons ready for the next service.” Stowell’s journey at Emmanuel began back in 1959. Arthur Howard, Stowell’s friend and then pastor of Summer Grove, recommended him to Emmanuel for the pastorate. Stowell said he doubted he would get the job because of his relatively young age, only 29 at the time. Emmanuel’s pulpit committee approached him in June, a week before Stowell’s thirtieth birthday.  When Stowell took the pastorate, he had no idea the road it would lead him down, he said. He and his wife, Patty, were considering mission work at the time. “We went to two different mission boards,” Stowell said. “They wanted me to have more preaching experience. I figured I would be at Emmanuel … [Read more...]

BASTROP – First Baptist’s mission team of twelve traveled to Maine and Canada to work with three church planters and four church plant locations doing evangelistic surveys, block parties, worship services and connection events. Jim Ingram is pastor. NEW IBERIA – A mission team from Highland Baptist participated in a Brazil mission trip. David Denton is pastor. WEST MONROE – Sherrie Allbritton of Fair Park Baptist participated in a Ukraine children’s camp. Waymond Warren is pastor. MANY – First Ft. Jesup Baptist assisted with Baptist Medical and Dental Honduras mission trips. The church also donated $30,000 for summer mission trips. George Treutlein is pastor. NEW ORLEANS – Global Maritime Ministries needs Christian music CDs as well as personal toiletry items. A commercial ice machine is needed for the new center. The toll free phone number is 1.800.413.4762 or email Info@PortMinistry.com. BASKIN – Twenty-three youth and senior adults of Baskin Baptist traveled to Roosevelt, Utah for their seventh mission trip to minister to members of the Ute Indian Reservation. They conducted Vacation Bible School and held worship services. Marion Spence is the pastor.     ZACHARY – First Baptist sponsored a fifth and sixth … [Read more...]

At one point during a sports team’s five-hour visit to a prison during their Brazil mission trip, they saw 11 guards walk one manacled prisoner down a corridor lined with peeling gray-green walls on one side. BELO – At one point during a sports team’s five-hour visit to a prison during their Brazil mission trip, they saw 11 guards walk one manacled prisoner down a corridor lined with peeling gray-green walls on one side. He was not among the 40 or so prisoners outfitted in red prison garb and black flip-flops invited by prison officials to participate in two hours of sports in a courtyard surrounded by two decks of cells – each 8x8, each holding two to four inmates. This two hours was to be the prisoners only recreation time all week. “It [the Americans’ visit] helps the prisoners get along with each other better,” said Luciana A. Bettini Romero, public affairs coordinator. Each year the Brazil mission team is permitted into several prisons. Jimmy LaGrassa of Fort Worth, Texas, and Keith White of Highland New Iberia were coaches for the seven-member team of female athletes. (No male athletes had signed up for the Brazil mission trip.) “I was petrified,” said middle-aged Kathy Smith of Marietta, Ga., after she heard … [Read more...]

What makes the mission trip led by Wayne Jenkins so successful is the organization behind it. BELO – What makes the mission trip led by Wayne Jenkins so successful is the organization behind it. After 25 years of doing it, Jenkins knows what needs done in the U.S., and his Brazilian counterpart – Alexandre Felicio Peixoto, a World Mission representative for the Brazilian Baptist Convention on loan to the Minas Gerias State Baptist Convention for this assignment – is equally prepared. It truly is a joint operation, Jenkins says. “Although we are able to make an impact for a short time, it is our SBC missionaries – supported by our Cooperative Program – along with the Brazilian Baptists who carry on the work year round,” Jenkins said. “It is our privilege to come alongside of them for a short period of time and assist them.” The first order of business for both men: praying in faith, trusting God to work out details and situations beyond their control. This year, for example, Jenkins lined up construction crews to build the three churches the Brazilians had requested. But only enough money had come in to build two – until the final week before the Americans boarded their aircrafts for flights to Brazil. “God … [Read more...]

The three construction teams sent out with the Brazil mission trip didn’t rack up as many spiritual decisions as did the other mission teams, but wait 10 or 50 years. The three construction teams sent out with the Brazil mission trip didn’t rack up as many spiritual decisions as did the other mission teams, but wait 10 or 50 years. “This building helped us make people more comfortable, and come back, with everyone welcome,” said Milton Sincero, pastor of a church  built three years ago by a Brazil mission team. “I am very very extremely happy that the Americans built this building for us.” The church has nearly doubled in the last three years, and members are being discipled so they can tell the people they know about Jesus, the pastor added. Because of the influx of middle-class families, the church now is able to provide a rice-and-beans sack of groceries once a month, as one of many community outreaches. In a lower-income part of Belo, Pastor Allison Mendouca had no plans to have what Brazilians refer to as a “temple.” The pastor’s heart was geared toward  the children in the neighborhood where he lived. “When you live near you can see the need,” Mendouca said. But a children’s Sunday School in a home grew to … [Read more...]