The purpose of the Louisiana Baptist Message is to draw all Louisiana Southern Baptists closer to God and to each other. Yes, but how? ALEXANDRIA – The purpose of the Louisiana Baptist Message is to draw all Louisiana Southern Baptists closer to God and to each other. Yes, but how? That has been the question in Editor Kelly Bogg’s mind for more than a year. He responded proactively to the winds of change he felt swirling around the publication when he heard postal rates were going to adversely affect the Message’s bottom line. “In July 2007, the post office implemented postal increases across the board, including a 25 percent rate increase for publications such as the Louisiana Baptist Message,” Boggs said. “Additionally, in February 2008, at a meeting of Southern Baptist state paper editors, I learned the Postal Rate Commission had given the post office the green light to increase rates on publications every year, so long as the increase wasn’t greater than the rate of inflation. That meant the Message would be facing a 3 to 5 percent postal rate increase every year for the foreseeable future.” Options included significantly increasing the price of subscriptions, asking for additional Cooperative Program dollars every … [Read more...]

Three associational directors of missions are fading from their leadership roles across Louisiana. Resumes are now being accepted for their replacements. STATEWIDE – Three associational directors of missions are fading from their leadership roles across Louisiana. Resumes are now being accepted for their replacements. Herb Dickerson, director of missions for the North Rapides, Big Creek and Central Louisiana Baptist Associations, all based out of Pineville, retired Dec. 31. He was DOM for 12 years. Joe McKeever, director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, plans to retire in April 2009. He was DOM for five years. Eddie DeHondt, director of missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association based in Shreveport, plans to retire in June 2009. He was DOM for 10 years. “Dickerson, McKeever and DeHondt have all given tremendous leadership in their respective associations,” said Beau Colle, LBC liaison to directors of missions. “It is evident that each man was just what was needed to provide guidance and encouragement to the churches, pastors, staff and lay leaders.” Associations provide the structure that allows more ministry, training and fellowship to be accomplished than probably … [Read more...]

One of the tasks of a pastor is to build up people. Following are some suggestions for strengthening the people God has called you to lead. One of the tasks of a pastor is to build up people. Following are some suggestions for strengthening the people God has called you to lead. 1. Say ‘we’ a lot; not I, me, and mine. 2. Look for ways to help your staff do better and feel good about what they’re doing. 3. Watch for anyone working in the wrong slot and try to find the right place for them. 4. Ask, ‘How’s it going?’ a lot. Listen to the answers. 5. Give lots of little gifts to your team members – thoughtful things that show how you value them. 6. Pray for your staff by name. Learn their family members’ names and lift them up, too. 7. Ask ‘If you had my job, what would you do?’ 8. Find out who the workaholics are and see that they get proper rest and don’t burn out. 9. When you give public recognition, think the matter through in advance and make sure you leave out no one who should be mentioned. 10. Try to anticipate problems. 11. Walk the line between ‘never let them see you sweat’ and being transparent. 12. Pray with your people, even at odd times – at the end of break times, after a fun … [Read more...]

My family and I recently attended a church we had never visited before, and we pulled into the parking lot eager to worship in a new place and to interact with new people. My family and I recently attended a church we had never visited before, and we pulled into the parking lot eager to worship in a new place and to interact with new people. At the door, we were handed a bulletin by a “greeter” who didn’t say a single word. There was no one else around, so he wasn’t overwhelmed by too many incoming people. He simply said nothing. In fact, he didn’t even offer a smile. Well, at least we had received a bulletin. As we entered the building, we were immediately assaulted by the combined odors of dust, mold and undeniable “oldness.” Frankly, the smell made me feel so uncomfortable that I feared it would keep me from concentrating on the teaching and worship. I couldn’t help but wonder if the odors were symbolic of the spiritual condition of the church. Unfortunately, what we saw was as bad as what we smelled. The paint and wallpaper were a “blast from the past” that caused a time-warp induced head rush. The furniture was dated and dingy, and the carpet and pew upholstery were old and stained. It was obvious that no … [Read more...]

What began in 1984 as a campground ministry has grown to include a disaster relief ministry and a thrift store ministry. RUSTON – What began in 1984 as a campground ministry has grown to include a disaster relief ministry and a thrift store ministry. This is the story of Rolling Hills Ministries. “We have beautiful state parks here that draw thousands of people each year,” explained David Abernathy, director of Rolling Hills Ministries since 1989, which received its 501(c)3 non-profit status in 2005. “That was pretty much it until a tornado struck Arcadia and we got interested in disaster relief.” The thrift store opened in 2003 as a way of providing some income for the disaster relief ministry, which has grown to the point that it is now one of the largest non-state convention DR units among the 1,500 units in the Southern Baptist Convention. The three ministries function independently of each other, yet remain interdependent, Abernathy said. CAMPGROUND MINISTRY Each year, between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October, Southern Baptists minister in a variety of ways to people vacationing in four state parks: Lake Claiborne, Jimmy Davis, Lake D’Arbonne and Lake Bisteneau. Volunteers – … [Read more...]

Gerald and Rosie Cole are claiming Jesus’ promise, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20, HCSB). MARION (BP)—Gerald and Rosie Cole are claiming Jesus’ promise, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20, HCSB). After almost 40 years as a pastor, Gerald had decided it was time to go home to Louisiana to retire. He and his wife, Rosie, went to visit Springhill Baptist Church near Marion, where Gerald had his first pastorate. But they found a locked building in disrepair. Gerald looked at Rosie, who knew immediately that retirement was not going to be an option. COMING HOME AGAIN “Gerald decided if we’re retired, we’ll just come back up here and start it [the church] again,” Rosie says with a smile. They bought the church property and converted the small general store next door into their home. Gerald and Rosie resumed the roles they had left many years before — Gerald preached and Rosie played piano. “I preached real plain. That’s the way I am,” says Gerald, who was pastor of several churches in the Southeast. While the location changed, the message was the same: “There are lost people all over the … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist Convention leaders nationwide deplore the declining number of baptisms. RUSTON – Southern Baptist Convention leaders nationwide deplore the declining number of baptisms. In 2006, the last year for which complete statistics are available, 364,826 people were baptized, down 7,024 from the previous year. In Louisiana, 10,240 people were baptized in 2006, down from12,668 in the previous year. In 2007, 10,095 people were baptized. Louisiana Baptist leaders have come up with a plan to turn the numbers around. It’s a plan that focuses on people, not statistics. To implement the plan, the LBC Evangelism/Church Growth team has made “The Power of One” the theme for the 2009 Louisiana Evangelism Conference. “It’s difficult for some people to get a handle around a big evangelistic goal,” said Wayne Jenkins, evangelism/church growth director. “This is not to say people don’t need goals. All we’re saying is, if you will focus on one person – one person empowered by the Holy Spirit can impact another person’s life for eternity. “That’s what we’re trying to stress overall with this year’s evangelism conference,” Jenkins continued. “The speakers and conferences will give emphasis to this.” The workshops … [Read more...]

In advance support of the “God’s Plan for Sharing” evangelistic campaign set to roll out in 2010, the North American Mission Board is collaborating with LifeWay Research to research the most effective methods for sharing Christ with the people of North America. ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – In advance support of the “God’s Plan for Sharing” evangelistic campaign set to roll out in 2010, the North American Mission Board is collaborating with LifeWay Research to research the most effective methods for sharing Christ with the people of North America. A minimum of 15,000 people across the United States will be polled on how they prefer to receive spiritually related messages – whether by direct mail, TV, radio, Internet websites, e-mail, personal contact, newspaper or magazine advertising, billboards, door-to-door, etc. Because of the survey’s large sample, data will be available across many demographics – for instance, the different preferences of those living in the United States or Canada; different regions of the U.S.; Anglos, African Americans or Hispanics; Christians and non-believers; or across various denominations. “People see national ad campaigns from the Mormons and the Methodists and they wonder about their … [Read more...]

Every Sunday morning Crystal was dressed and ready for church before the van arrived at her home. She attended Sunday School with a smile, but without her parents. Every Sunday morning Crystal was dressed and ready for church before the van arrived at her home. She attended Sunday School with a smile, but without her parents.  During the worship service, an adult would sit with her and the other children. After all, a four-year-old can sit still only for so long. When the sermon was finished and the invitation given, Crystal was sure to run to the front of the sanctuary, bow down and begin to pray. As a first-time, very young and very green pastor, I thought it was cute as the little girl came forward. However, after several weeks I began to worry she just wanted attention.  During the week, I was praying about how to handle the situation. The Holy Spirit impressed on me to pray with her instead of stopping her.  The next Sunday I was ready. As I gave the invitation, Crystal made her way to the little red steps leading up to the platform. I knelt down with her and said, “Crystal, what are you praying for?” She replied, “For my mom and dad to get saved.” Over the next four years, Crystal prayed and our church … [Read more...]

Susan hadn’t been able to concentrate since Jeff called earlier in the day. “The kids are staying at your mom’s this weekend. Can you get away a little early?” Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her husband’s car in the driveway with the trunk open. What did Jeff have planned? Life had certainly been interesting lately!At one time their marriage had been cooling ashes — not the blazing passion of earlier years. Trudging through the humdrum of life had shifted their focus from thriving to surviving mode. The closest thing to surprise in their relationship was whether someone was going to pick up chicken or burgers for supper. Susan hadn’t been able to concentrate since Jeff called earlier in the day. “The kids are staying at your mom’s this weekend. Can you get away a little early?” Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her husband’s car in the driveway with the trunk open. What did Jeff have planned? Life had certainly been interesting lately!At one time their marriage had been cooling ashes — not the blazing passion of earlier years. Trudging through the humdrum of life had shifted their focus from thriving to surviving mode. The closest thing to surprise in their relationship was whether someone was going to pick up … [Read more...]