thanks for the articles regarding the proposed change in structure of the directors of missions. The treatment you are giving this issue is informative and balanced. Your attempt to present all the sides of the question is journalism at its best. Thanks for the articles regarding the proposed change in structure of the directors of missions. The treatment you are giving this issue is informative and balanced. Your attempt to present all the sides of the question is journalism at its best.   I believe that Philip Robertson and Paul Roney are doing their best to make a full and open disclosure of the issue and the questions that have arisen and will continue to arise.   I think that much of the turmoil and strife of the past 30 years could have been avoided if our leaders would have taken the course you have taken: "Trusting the Lord and telling the people."   Bobby Bonds, Pastor Mt. Hope Baptist Church Oakdale … [Read more...]

After reading the August 1, 2002, edition of the Baptist Message article, "A proposed change, ..." my mind was spurred on to think about the issue of polity in our state convention. Philip Robertson and Paul Roney stated that the need to change the way we handle our directors of missions in our state convention is a matter of Baptist polity. After reading the August 1, 2002, edition of the Baptist Message article, "A proposed change, ..." my mind was spurred on to think about the issue of polity in our state convention. Philip Robertson and Paul Roney stated that the need to change the way we handle our directors of missions in our state convention is a matter of Baptist polity. These two brothers seem to be concerned with the autonomy of our local church families and the need for control to issue forth from our local churches up to the state convention.   I am in full agreement! But instead of fixing something that is not broken, let’s fix something that is broken. Let us correct the errors in our Louisiana Baptist Convention polity, beginning with the process of selecting state Executive Board members. If Philip Robertson and Paul Roney wish to protect local church autonomy, then let these two … [Read more...]

For the week of August 22, 2002 Potpourri • MANSFIELD - First church: "Jesus, The One and Only" musical; Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m.; Gary Gregg, minister of music; Calvin Phelps, interim pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Stevendale church: The Carolina Boys in concert; Aug 23, 7 p.m.; Michael J. LoBrutto, pastor.   • CHASE - Chase church: One Way in concert; Aug. 23, 7 p.m.; Dennis Fontenot, pastor.   • BETHANY - Camp Bethany: Northwest Association sponsored men’s fish fry; Sept. 5, 5:30 p.m.; $6 per person; Charles Thornton, guest speaker; Johnnie Dunn, music; for reservations, call (318) 938-1221; Robert Cole, camp manager.   • HEBERT - Welcome Home church: The New Liberty Boys in concert; Aug. 24, 7 p.m.; Billy T. Gueringer, Sr., pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Horseshoe Drive church: Phil Cross & Poet Voices in concert; Sept. 6, 7 p.m.; Don Arbuckle, minister of music; Aubrey Whitlock, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Ike Hamilton Expo center: "Ropin’ for the Redeemer" team roping event; sponsored by Northeast Association; Sept. 7, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., team roping; 6-7 p.m., music/worship; cowboy church at 7 p.m.; Paul Daily, wild horse trainer and Rusty Rugg, professional … [Read more...]

I NEVER KNEW THAT. Thank God for the Internet.   I only thought I knew what I did not know, but now   I know there is a lot more I do not know than I thought I knew.   Someone sent me a list of things I did not know that I did not know that I did not know but now I know.   You may have receive the same e-mail. Seems every email I show someone, someone else has sent it to everyone. I NEVER KNEW THAT. Thank God for the Internet.   I only thought I knew what I did not know, but now   I know there is a lot more I do not know than I thought I knew.   Someone sent me a list of things I did not know that I did not know that I did not know but now I know.   You may have receive the same e-mail. Seems every email I show someone, someone else has sent it to everyone.   But in case you have not seen this e-mail, I am sure you will want to know all of these things you might not know but will know after you read it.   Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.   Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.   There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.   The average person’s left hand … [Read more...]

People usually encounter 40 to 50 incidents of stress a day - and what is does to their bodies is deadly, a Southern Baptist counselor warned.   Because of the nature of their work, ministers especially are vulnerable, said Barney Self, LeaderCare counselor for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. However, stress impacts all persons, he added. People usually encounter 40 to 50 incidents of stress a day - and what is does to their bodies is deadly, a Southern Baptist counselor warned.   Because of the nature of their work, ministers especially are vulnerable, said Barney Self, LeaderCare counselor for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. However, stress impacts all persons, he added.   "The deal is not whether it will be there, but what we are going to do with it," Self emphasized. "If we don’t take care of it, getting sick is part of how we deal with it."   Indeed, about 60 to 90 percent of all doctors’ office visits are directly or indirectly related to stress, Self noted.   Because stress is the perception of a threat or danger, a person’s body goes through significant changes when it is encountered, Self … [Read more...]

When Tommy Yessick seeks to explain "overload syndrome," he asks persons to imagine their lives as a rubber band stretched to the limit.   One more tug - one more activity added to one’s schedule - and the rubber band will pop.   Overload syndrome. When Tommy Yessick seeks to explain "overload syndrome," he asks persons to imagine their lives as a rubber band stretched to the limit.   One more tug - one more activity added to one’s schedule - and the rubber band will pop.   Overload syndrome.   "We in America tend to not realize that we can be stretched until we can’t go anymore, so, we add one more thing," said Yessick, minister wellness specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "That’s what leads to our mounting stress."   Persons must begin to consider their activities, Yessick insisted. "Think of all the things you do at church, for your kids, for your family, for the community. Now, think of all the things you think you should be doing."   Persons then should consider their attitudes toward their daily activities, Yessick continued. "What type of attitude do you have as you approach all of your … [Read more...]

Being a caregiver himself, Barney Self knows the causes and the symptoms of a malady he refers to as "compassion fatigue."   Generally, it is caused when one has become so involved in providing care to others that they become emotionally and spiritually exhausted, he said. Being a caregiver himself, Barney Self knows the causes and the symptoms of a malady he refers to as "compassion fatigue."   Generally, it is caused when one has become so involved in providing care to others that they become emotionally and spiritually exhausted, he said.   "A caregiver is always at risk of compassion fatigue," noted Self, a licensed family and marriage therapist and LeaderCare counselor for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   "For everybody who does caregiving, there is a threat of burning out. Our only protection is our willingness to be honest with ourselves about what our level of health is."   Self said one way he handles potential burnout is by refusing to counsel people on Fridays or weekends - unless it is a dire emergency. He said he also avoids movies. "I can’t get all wrapped up in the emotions of movies," he noted. "I have to save my … [Read more...]

Combatting and overloading: For ministers and others alike, life can be stressful - but there are means of offsetting the harmful effects   Editor’s Note: These articles on ministerial burnout, stress and means of combatting overload in one’s life are by Terri Lackey from LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   When Barney Self gets a call in the middle of the night, his heart does not thump out of his chest. He figures it is a distressed pastor, and he knows he must remain calm. Combatting and overloading: For ministers and others alike, life can be stressful - but there are means of offsetting the harmful effects   Editor’s Note: These articles on ministerial burnout, stress and means of combatting overload in one’s life are by Terri Lackey from LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   When Barney Self gets a call in the middle of the night, his heart does not thump out of his chest. He figures it is a distressed pastor, and he knows he must remain calm.   "When a person actually picks up the phone and calls the 1-888 help line number, he or she has exhausted all the other resources out there," said Self, a … [Read more...]

For the week of August 29, 2002 Time of prayer As the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches, leaders of New Hope New York are asking pastors to consider leading their congregations in a special time of prayer for the needs that remain in the city. The effort is being coordinated through PrayNewYork.com, a Web site allowing individuals to sign on as prayer partners for the city, its people and outreach efforts that will take place during the next few years. New Hope New York is the name of the Southern Baptist Strategic Focus Cities effort in New York, which is developing strategies for prayer, church planting, church strengthening, pastoral leadership development and collegiate ministry efforts that will take place primarily in 2004 and 2005. Prayer guides are available free for churches to use in their Sept. 11 emphasis. For details, call (212) 580-0655 or download the prayer guide at www.praynewyork.com Web site. Other resources for Sept. 11 services are available at www.namb.net/911. Missouri executive David Clippard, 53, was scheduled to be presented Aug. 27 as the unanimous recommendation for the new executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention. Clippard currently is serving … [Read more...]

When asked to describe welfare, terms like slums, poverty and hunger often come to mind. In turn, many people know little about the welfare reform of 1996.   Indeed, often, those who need welfare most are unsure how to obtain it.   "The main reason the subject of welfare is so difficult for many in our society is the sheer lack of information and knowledge," said Rolland Slade, a national missionary for the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board in the area of welfare back to work evangelism ministries. When asked to describe welfare, terms like slums, poverty and hunger often come to mind. In turn, many people know little about the welfare reform of 1996.   Indeed, often, those who need welfare most are unsure how to obtain it.   "The main reason the subject of welfare is so difficult for many in our society is the sheer lack of information and knowledge," said Rolland Slade, a national missionary for the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board in the area of welfare back to work evangelism ministries.   The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 is a reform plan that requires work in exchange for … [Read more...]