Even the best-run associational meetings can seem a little long. Reports are, well, reports. And, when reports are presented like linked sausages, they can get to be, well, like a lot of reports.   Unquestionably, the work of an association is vital for Baptist life. Part of the prescription for keeping associational life healthy is having informed members of the local churches that form the association. Even the best-run associational meetings can seem a little long. Reports are, well, reports. And, when reports are presented like linked sausages, they can get to be, well, like a lot of reports.   Unquestionably, the work of an association is vital for Baptist life. Part of the prescription for keeping associational life healthy is having informed members of the local churches that form the association. And, one of the ways Baptists do this is by getting as many members of the churches of the association together and letting them know about what the committees of the association are doing. Accountability and inspiration.   Reliable word is, a Louisiana Baptist association was having a meeting that was fulfilling its purpose of hearing lots of reports. Associational leaders were … [Read more...]

There is an old Peanuts comic strip in which Linus and Lucy are standing outside, talking.   If memory serves, Linus is explaining an idea to Lucy. It seems Charlie Brown had proposed that if Lucy, Linus and the Peanuts gang could learn to get along and treat one another right, then others could as well. Editor’s Note: August 4 is Social Issues Sunday in Southern Baptist churches. This year’s focus is human rights. The following commentary by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson is offered as reflection on the emphasis.   There is an old Peanuts comic strip in which Linus and Lucy are standing outside, talking.   If memory serves, Linus is explaining an idea to Lucy. It seems Charlie Brown had proposed that if Lucy, Linus and the Peanuts gang could learn to get along and treat one another right, then others could as well.   It might even spread to adults and then to nations even, Linus noted.   "Of course, that’s where the analogy starts to fall apart," Linus concludes.   One can understand the feeling - the sinking suspicion that it is futile to hope or pray for such things as world peace or human rights for all persons.   After all, what … [Read more...]

Every year, students from across the country come to Lexington, Va., to begin study at either Virginia Military Institute or Washington and Lee University. It is both advantageous and equally difficult to locate Baptist students and others who are interested in Baptist Student Union before they arrive on campus. Every year, students from across the country come to Lexington, Va., to begin study at either Virginia Military Institute or Washington and Lee University. It is both advantageous and equally difficult to locate Baptist students and others who are interested in Baptist Student Union before they arrive on campus. We would appreciate any assistance from the churches in your state to locate these students before the start of the 2002-2003 academic year.   In the past, several incoming students have contacted the Lexington Area Baptist Student Union because of this letter in the state Baptist paper. You are an invaluable resource for reaching our students!   The Lexington Area BSU can be contacted at 120 W. Nelson Street, Lexington, Va. 24450 or (540) 463-5366 or lexbsu@hotmail.com. Your assistance is greatly appreciated as we work together to reach and strengthen our future leaders in … [Read more...]

My name is Sue Whitten, and I am serving as a Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I recently received a postcard from you regarding your Web site.   Praise the Lord! This is great. I want to say thanks for the time and effort you have spent in setting up this site. My name is Sue Whitten, and I am serving as a Southern Baptist International Mission Board missionary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I recently received a postcard from you regarding your Web site.   Praise the Lord! This is great. I want to say thanks for the time and effort you have spent in setting up this site. It is a great joy to be able to read news and events from home. I am so excited to be able to keep up with ministries in our home state. I do pray for you there – that God will bless my brother and sister Louisianians and keep them faithful.   Louisiana will always hold a special place in my heart, because if it were not for many people there praying for me, my task would be much more difficult. I do have many prayer warriors from there who share in my ministry.   Please include me on your prayer list. The work is plentiful here. My task is teaching English as a … [Read more...]

Prayer can be a powerful tool, and Emmanuel Baptist Church members in Alexandria are hoping that a prayer quilt can encourage a hometown missionary.   "We wanted the missionaries to know that we’re praying for them," Emmanuel Woman’s Missionary Union coordinator Frances Blair says. "In times of discouragement, we want them to know we’re there for them." Prayer can be a powerful tool, and Emmanuel Baptist Church members in Alexandria are hoping that a prayer quilt can encourage a hometown missionary.   "We wanted the missionaries to know that we’re praying for them," Emmanuel Woman’s Missionary Union coordinator Frances Blair says. "In times of discouragement, we want them to know we’re there for them."   The church made the quilt for Hartwell Price, a Southern Baptist missionary in Benin, a country in the west-central part of Africa.   Blair says the group selected Price because the international worker is from Natchitoches.   At the time they selected Price, the Women’s on Mission group at Emmanuel Baptist Church was studying ‘Prayer Around Africa,’ a year-long emphasis focused on praying for needs in Africa. The Women’s on Mission group is part of Woman’s … [Read more...]

What was once known as America’s bloodiest prison now is becoming a missionary-sending agency.   Because of the success of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension center program at America’s largest maximum security prison, as well as the success of the prison’s moral education efforts, wardens across the state are calling the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for help. What was once known as America’s bloodiest prison now is becoming a missionary-sending agency.   Because of the success of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension center program at America’s largest maximum security prison, as well as the success of the prison’s moral education efforts, wardens across the state are calling the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for help.   More specifically, they are asking Angola Warden Burl Cain to send some of his New Orleans Seminary graduates to come as missionaries to their prisons, where they hope to see the same changes occur.   "Now we’ve got another calling," Cain said. "We will send missionaries out to other prisons. What better place than in prison to see lives changed?"   Cain’s remarks highlighted the third New … [Read more...]

In unique fashion, the Louisiana Baptist Convention employs local associational directors of missions as state workers - but a new proposal is seeking to change that   Editor’s Note: The following are the first of several articles on the Louisiana Baptist directors of missions proposal. These articles are designed to review the current director of missions system and how the proposed changes came to pass. Future articles will focus on why some believe the current directors of missions system needs to be changed and what the implications of such a change could be. In unique fashion, the Louisiana Baptist Convention employs local associational directors of missions as state workers - but a new proposal is seeking to change that   Editor’s Note: The following are the first of several articles on the Louisiana Baptist directors of missions proposal. These articles are designed to review the current director of missions system and how the proposed changes came to pass. Future articles will focus on why some believe the current directors of missions system needs to be changed and what the implications of such a change could be.   C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   As the … [Read more...]

For those familiar with Louisiana, the answer should not come as a surprise - nobody else does it quite the same as the Bayou State.   Three basic approaches are found elsewhere:   • Associational directors of missions are selected, funded and administered solely by associations. For those familiar with Louisiana, the answer should not come as a surprise - nobody else does it quite the same as the Bayou State.   Three basic approaches are found elsewhere:   • Associational directors of missions are selected, funded and administered solely by associations.   • Associational directors of missions are selected and administered by the associations, with the state convention providing funding supplements.   • Associational directors of missions serve as missionaries through the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Usually, funding is provided by the association, state convention and mission board, with various administrative approaches.   Florida and North Carolina are examples of the first director of missions approach.   In Florida, associations determine everything - even job descriptions, and the state director of … [Read more...]

So, how are directors of missions for local Louisiana Baptist associations chosen, funded and administered anyway?   A detailed notebook outlines the process. So, how are directors of missions for local Louisiana Baptist associations chosen, funded and administered anyway?   A detailed notebook outlines the process.   Choosing directors of missions   State policy sets forth several requirements for all directors of missions - a master of divinity degree from a Southern Baptist seminary (or experience deemed sufficient to function in the position); 10 years experience as a pastor or on a church or convention agency staff; overall knowledge of local church and associational ministry; general knowledge of Louisiana and Southern Baptist conventions; skills in planning, promoting and coordinating and in dealing with programs and people; knowledge of committee structure and function and working with volunteers; skills in listening, counseling and conflict management; knowledge of the history, progress and current situation of the association in Baptist life.   The steps for selection of an associational director of missions are as follows:   • The state … [Read more...]