The Southern Baptist Convention and its entities will face a financial crisis in the near future unless giving to the denomination increases, a new report warns. The Southern Baptist Convention and its entities will face a financial crisis in the near future unless giving to the denomination increases, a new report warns.   The report by the SBC Funding Study Committee finds that giving by church members has decreased gradually during the past 30 years and is far below the biblical standard of the tithe.   In addition, churches are forwarding less of their offerings through the Cooperative Program than they did two decades ago and are sending less of their money to missions.   Those factors and the sluggish economy already have impacted the number of missionaries on the field and tuition rates at convention seminaries. Barring an increase in giving, that situation will continue to deteriorate, the report warns.   The funding report was reviewed and adopted unanimously by the SBC Executive Committee last week. See below for information on other Executive Committee actions   It focuses on an area of concern for many national and state convention leaders - the … [Read more...]

It is billed as the first Bible "designed to look like a teen fashion magazine" - and it is selling.   But not everyone is sold on it. It is billed as the first Bible "designed to look like a teen fashion magazine" - and it is selling.   But not everyone is sold on it.   Transit Books released "Revolve: The Complete New Testament" this summer in hopes of getting more teenage girls to read the Bible. To do so, they interspersed books of the New Testament with items normally reserved for youth fashion magazines.   For example, one page contains most of Luke 21, along with a graphic showing a guy describing the "ideal girl." On another page, a few inches from John 3:16, teenage girls can read tips on plucking their eyebrows (begin by "placing a warm rag over them").   Supporters say the colorful design will get more teenage girls into the Word of God.   However, critics say that while the intent is good, the result trivializes Scripture.   Even the cover looks like a fashion magazine - three young girls laughing. Teasers on the cover attempt include: "Are You Dating a Godly Guy?" and "Radical Faith: What Scripture Really Means."   A … [Read more...]

It just happens that incredible pain in my lower back. And, it happened that Sunday evening. It just happens that incredible pain in my lower back. And, it happened that Sunday evening.   The pain was so intense that moving in bed was impossible. Waiting to see a doctor would just mean a wasted sleepless night of pain, and who needed that? And, if I waited, it would waste all that time of sleeplessness in bed. In the morning, my doctor would send me to the hospital for an x-ray and a shot or two of cortisone. That is the way it has been for years.   Should I wake the Mrs. and tell her where I’m headed? No, she will insist on driving me. No reason to wake her at 12:30 a.m. — it had been a long and tiring Sunday. Besides, no one ever gets into and out emergency waiting and treatment rooms in less than 48 hours, unless the person is critically ill and a painful back only makes one feel the need for relief is critical. No reason for Leah to sit there all that time when she could be asleep in her own bed. Besides, I will be back and asleep beside her again before she knows I am gone.   So, quietly, if painfully, I slide out of the bed and leave the Mrs. sleeping and creep to the car, … [Read more...]

For the week of October 9, 2003 Disaster relief coverage   The massive response by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers to Hurricane Isabel is the cover story for the Sept. 27 issue of the evangelical publication World Magazine, a national news weekly based in Asheville, N.C. The story is headlined "Ready or Not" and is available at www.worldmag.com. It tracks the behind-the-scenes preparations for the storm by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders. The story details the flurry of phone calls and teleconferences between relief organizers and describes how they discussed contingency planning for different scenarios. It also recounts onsite visits related to the relief efforts. The response is the largest in the 37-year history of Southern Baptist Disaster relief, involving 116 separate units of volunteers. For updates on the response, visit www.namb.net/dr.   Court ruling   A federal appeals court has ruled that a child may not give pencils bearing the inscription "Jesus (loves) the little children" to his classmates. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court decision that a New Jersey school system acted constitutionally in prohibiting a 4-year-old … [Read more...]

Trustees of the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center made a tough, even courageous, decision: They decided that selling the center located in North Central Louisiana’s Arcadia is the best Trustees of the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center made a tough, even courageous, decision: They decided that selling the center located in North Central Louisiana’s Arcadia is the best   way to continue the intent of the ministry. As reported elsewhere in this issue, retirement center trustees brought a recommendation to the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention to sell the center. After debate and discussion, the Retirement Center trustees and Executive Board will recommend to the Louisiana Baptist Convention in November that the center be sold.   In further action on the matter, the Executive Board (the Louisiana Baptist Convention ad-interim) voted that the center trustees and the financial policies and practices subcommittee of the Executive Board bring a recommendation to the state convention on what to do with the funds left over after all the center’s debts and obligations are met and paid.   The decision by the center’s trustees was not made without a long and intense … [Read more...]

For 51 weeks a year, the 80 members at First Baptist Church of Sturgis, S.D., ministers in a community of about 6,600 people.   However, for one wild week every year, their task grows much larger. For 51 weeks a year, the 80 members at First Baptist Church of Sturgis, S.D., ministers in a community of about 6,600 people.   However, for one wild week every year, their task grows much larger.   Each August, the 63rd Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally brings in about half a million people to the small community.   The overwhelming influx in population brings just as many ministry needs with it. This year, about 450,000 bikers and tourists from across the globe descended on the community for a week of bikes, racing, beer, music, gambling, food and frenzy.   The event is like Mardi Gras for motorcyclists, says Roger Crowhurst, pastor at First Baptist Church of Sturgis.   "It’s not for the squeamish," he notes. "There are things that go on and sights that you have to be prayed up for. I can’t imagine that Sodom and Gomorrah were worse."   Nevertheless, each year, the 80 members of First Baptist reach out to the hurting and lost people who arrive … [Read more...]

The organ once was considered a staple of Sunday morning worship services in the majority of Southern Baptist churches. The organ once was considered a staple of Sunday morning worship services in the majority of Southern Baptist churches.   However, as more churches incorporate contemporary or "blended" music into their worship, the organ also seems to be blending - into the background.   Expensive organs are covered up and unplugged, and aspiring organists often wonder where they can use their God-given talents for ministry.   Is it curtains for the organ? Has the praise band replaced the traditional piano and organ combo?   Church accompanists say no - it simply is time for some rethinking and re-training.   "Training is so important," said Martha Kirkland, a music specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "We’re trying to help the organist succeed in the 21st century."   Kirkland led workshops during a recent Southern Baptist conference that focused on new ideas to use the organ as accompanying for hymns and choruses as well as practical ways to develop new skills.   Many organ companies are producing … [Read more...]

Contrary to the view of many, humans are not on earth simply to enjoy the surroundings, Rick Warren says.   "You were put on earth to make a contribution," Warren writes in "The Purpose-Driven Life," his best-selling book. Note: The Louisiana Baptist Convention currently is engaged in a pilot program to use "The Purpose-Driven Life" study by Rick Warren in several churches. Plans call for use of the study to be expanded statewide next year. As part of that effort, the Baptist Message is presenting a series of articles based on Warren’s book. This week looks at the fourth of five life purposes in the book.   C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   Contrary to the view of many, humans are not on earth simply to enjoy the surroundings, Rick Warren says.   "You were put on earth to make a contribution," Warren writes in "The Purpose-Driven Life," his best-selling book.   "You weren’t created just to consume resources - to eat, breathe and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. ... You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back." (Author’s italics)   Indeed, making a … [Read more...]

Members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board handled a trio of items affecting the future of convention life last week.   During their scheduled meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, board members: Members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board handled a trio of items affecting the future of convention life last week.   During their scheduled meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, board members:   • Approved a 2004 state Cooperative Program budget that is almost $2 million less than the current budget but still proposes to forward more funds to the Southern Baptist Convention for world missions.   • Endorsed the sale of the Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia and outlined a plan for how funds from the sale could be handled.   • Rejected a motion that would have altered convention polity by allowing local associations to choose the Executive Board members from their areas.   Approval of the 2004 Cooperative Program budget took the least time. It came unanimously with no discussion or debate.   It also came after LBC Stewardship/Cooperative Program director Randy … [Read more...]

Dr. James Young’s letter in the July 17 issue of the Baptist Message ("Call for evenhandedness") is inspiring. Dr. James Young’s letter in the July 17 issue of the Baptist Message ("Call for evenhandedness") is inspiring. He, his wife and other missionaries who have served in troubled areas are a unique resource for understanding worldwide culture clashes that seem increasingly violent. For the Youngs, that area is the Mideast, where they have served with distinction in various capacities for decades.   I urge the Baptist Message to take advantage of this incomparable resource and give readers some in-depth coverage of what Southern Baptist missionaries have learned in the field.   Susann Dorman The Woodlands, Texas … [Read more...]