Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   During a recent chapel address at the school he served as president, Leavell told current students that after 53 years in the ministry, he had learned many things he never was taught in seminary.   "I don’t walk with the presumptuous step of a know-it-all, but there are some things you need to be told," he noted.   Leavell said a pastor should consider himself blessed to be called to a Southern Baptist church. He reminded students … [Read more...]

For the week of November 8, 2001 Statistics show one out of every 18 Southern Baptist pastors will lose his job every 18 months, Landrum Leavell II warned recently.   In such a setting, students must prepare for ministry by committing to the principle found in Colossians 3:23 - "Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" - said Leavell, president emeritus at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   During a recent chapel address at the school he served as president, Leavell told current students that after 53 years in the ministry, he had learned many things he never was taught in seminary.   "I don’t walk with the presumptuous step of a know-it-all, but there are some things you need to be told," he noted.   Leavell said a pastor should consider himself blessed to be called to a Southern Baptist church. He reminded students that the work of a pastor is a calling and a job - not a position. "God places you there, and work will keep you there," he noted.   The work of a pastor also is a determined activity, and a pastor must set goals, Leavell continued. "Make up your mind what you are going to do, what kind of church you are going to have and how to lead … [Read more...]

My wife and I enjoyed your Second Thought " ... Pocket on a shirt ..." last night about midnight.   My youngest son gave me three books several years ago, and I am just now finishing them. May I recommend them to any serious pastor or student? My wife and I enjoyed your Second Thought " ... Pocket on a shirt ..." last night about midnight.   My youngest son gave me three books several years ago, and I am just now finishing them. May I recommend them to any serious pastor or student?   All are by Dr. Gregory Boyd, at the time teaching at Bethel College and Seminary (Baptist General Conference): "God at War," "God of the Possible" and "Cynic Sage or Son of God?"   Dr. Boyd, now is pastor at Northern Hill in St. Paul Minnesota.   Thanks for a wonderful paper like the Baptist Message.   John A. Strom Minden … [Read more...]

I was very much impressed by the article in the October 18 issue that quoted from the debate between Dr. Paige Patterson and a well-known Methodist theologian. I would like to lift out a vital quote by Dr. Patterson. I was very much impressed by the article in the October 18 issue that quoted from the debate between Dr. Paige Patterson and a well-known Methodist theologian. I would like to lift out a vital quote by Dr. Patterson.   "It is not the church itself that is the infallible teacher of God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired the Word of God who is to be the great internal teacher. And it is that ability of the Holy Spirit to teach the one reading the book that makes it so very important that everyone have access to the Word of God."   Brothers and sisters, the great Southern Baptist controversy is over! The architect of the takeover has clearly and beautifully stated exactly the so-called "moderate" (I prefer historic Baptist) position. You don’t think so? Read this quote: "Interpretation of the Bible cannot be left up to the ‘priestcraft,’ which would allow the magisterium, the pope, or the academy (or the Baptist Faith and Message?-pl) ultimately to tell us what the Bible … [Read more...]

During their annual meeting, Missouri Baptist Convention messengers approved motions to escrow $2 million in funding and perhaps sue five state agencies that recently moved to self-perpetuating trustee boards. During their annual meeting, Missouri Baptist Convention messengers approved motions to escrow $2 million in funding and perhaps sue five state agencies that recently moved to self-perpetuating trustee boards.   They also voted to unseat messengers from a church that recently cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention.   About 2,100 messengers voted overwhelmingly to amend a $19.2 million budget and hold funding for agencies moving to self-perpetuating boards in escrow. The amendment freezes $400,000 for Missouri’s Baptist Home, $200,000 for the Missouri Baptist Foundation, $150,000 for Windemere Conference Center, $450,000 for the Word and Way newspaper, money for four Missouri Baptist College campuses and any funding for agencies that might become self-perpetuating.   The funds are to be held in escrow until trustees of the affected institutions "rescind their actions and reinstate their former charters," the approved amendment states.   All of the affected … [Read more...]

Considerable focus has fallen on the Muslim religion since the terrorist attacks on America, supposedly by members of a fundamentalist sect of Islam.   As a result, many persons have scrambled to learn more about Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the world. Already, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide - and an estimated 6 million Muslims live in the United States. Considerable focus has fallen on the Muslim religion since the terrorist attacks on America, supposedly by members of a fundamentalist sect of Islam.   As a result, many persons have scrambled to learn more about Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the world. Already, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide - and an estimated 6 million Muslims live in the United States.   There are four major Muslim groups - Sunni, Shiite, Sufi and the Nation of Islam. However, all share basic elements of faith that differ from evangelical Christianity.   Consider the following areas outlined in a recent mailing from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board:   God ... Christians believe in one God, revealed and experienced as the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy … [Read more...]

Since Sept. 11, routine acts such as waving the flag, pledging "one nation under God" and proclaiming the words "God bless America" have taken on almost worshipful significance. Since Sept. 11, routine acts such as waving the flag, pledging "one nation under God" and proclaiming the words "God bless America" have taken on almost worshipful significance.   But what some find unifying and reassuring, others see as divisive and troubling, a blurring of the line between love of country and religion, with woe to those who do not believe.   The wall between church and state has been temporarily lowered, said Derek Davis, director of the Institute for Church-State Studies at Baylor University. "At times like this, you almost set aside the First Amendment. The excitement and emotion almost trump everything else."   The fervor that makes patriotism an almost sacred duty goes by a variety of academic labels - civil religion, public religion, even democratic faith.   Some scholars distinguish it from authentic spirituality.   "Patriotism sort of becomes a secular religion," said Pauline Maier, author of "American Scripture: Making the Declaration of … [Read more...]

Churches and synagogues are joining the flag-waving and patriotism that have swept the country since the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York City.   Huge flags can be seen outside church buildings and on walls inside worship areas and even on the altar in at least one Boston Roman Catholic church. Churches and synagogues are joining the flag-waving and patriotism that have swept the country since the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington and New York City.   Huge flags can be seen outside church buildings and on walls inside worship areas and even on the altar in at least one Boston Roman Catholic church.   Religious services these days often end with "God Bless America" or other patriotic songs. "We recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing patriotic songs in the service and present the colors," said the Rev. Keenan Roberts, associate pastor at Abundant Life Christian Center in Arvada, Colo.   In addition, workers hung a huge flag on the side of the church building in late September so it will be visible to motorists. The church also has put red, white and blue floodlights behind the altar. "Christians should be patriotic in the land they enjoy living in," Roberts … [Read more...]

It is not every day that prisoners at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson enjoy jambalaya under the huge oak tree on the prison grounds, much less a relaxing two-hour outdoor program of Christian humor, entertainment and inspiration.   But that is just the idea with Operation Starting Line, a national effort by a variety of evangelical Christian groups to reach out to the broader prison population. It is not every day that prisoners at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson enjoy jambalaya under the huge oak tree on the prison grounds, much less a relaxing two-hour outdoor program of Christian humor, entertainment and inspiration.   But that is just the idea with Operation Starting Line, a national effort by a variety of evangelical Christian groups to reach out to the broader prison population. The goal is to reach those who likely would not attend chapel meetings and Bible studies that characterize the Christian presence in most correctional institutions.   "Our intent is to try to touch people who aren’t normally touched in the prison," emphasized Gary Pearce, who serves director of chaplaincy for Dixon Correctional Institute and is a Louisiana Baptist.   The … [Read more...]

At the Blue Bird Cafe, music is king - and queen. The hole-in-the-wall provides seating for fewer than 100 people and is one of the few places outside performance halls where the musical performance is not coincidental. At the Blue Bird Cafe, music is king - and queen. The hole-in-the-wall provides seating for fewer than 100 people and is one of the few places outside performance halls where the musical performance is not coincidental.   They serve food and libation, but one does not go there to eat or drink; one goes to hear music. If music were not of utmost importance, would "Shhh!" be the Blue Bird’s theme? Make noise during a performance and be met with numerous aggravated "Shhhs!" They sell tee shirts with "Shhh!" printed across them.   Most of the music featured at the Bird - this is Nashville - is country. After a meeting in our denominational capital recently, I went to the Bird.   It was "songwriters in the round" night. Four songwriters sat facing one another in the middle of the room and took turns plunking and strumming acoustical guitars and singing their songs. They sang some songs that had made the charts, but mostly, they sang new songs the writers wanted to … [Read more...]