By David Jeremiah, Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church None of us set out to live a mediocre spiritual life. But in the midst of our busy schedules, many of us have forgotten something very important. We have forgotten to practice the basics that shape us as Christians. Getting back to the basics Worship. What is worship? Worship is seeing the things on earth in perspective to the things in heaven. When you understand what the Bible says about God in His majesty and power, you will be able to praise Him, no matter what your present circumstance. Worship God every day in your prayers, songs, thoughts and conversations. If you only practice praise on Sunday mornings, you’ll miss what God wants to do in your life the other six days of the week. Prayer. If you want to find out where you are spiritually, ask yourself this question: What is the level of my commitment to my prayer life? If you want the Lord’s blessing on your life, there just isn’t any alternative to prayer. Prayer is the way you defeat the devil, reach the lost, restore a backslider, strengthen the saints, send missionaries out, cure the sick, accomplish the impossible and know the will of God. Prayer is the hard-work business of Christianity, and it … [Read more...]

To the Editor I was pleasantly surprised as I read Dr. Jeff Iorg’s article about the “Power of the Pulpit.” I have been preaching for fifty one years and I’ve never been able to understand why the pulpit is disappearing from the platform. I know what the pat answer is, “the pulpit is a barrier in communication, which hinders my ability to dialog with the congregation.” My response to that is two fold: (1) If a piece of furniture hinders you from communicating with a congregation, you are in the wrong profession. (2) Paul’s challenge to young Timothy was “to preach the word.” Presently I am transitional pastor at Central Baptist in Springhill, La. The pulpit had been moved prior to me being there. Because of a back problem, I have to have something stronger than a metal lectern stand to hold on to. At my request the pulpit was returned to its proper place. I was amazed at the comments about the pulpit being returned. This response came from youth, young adults, older adults, even one 10 year old boy told me he was glad to see the pulpit. All the comments were positive, not one negative reaction. The pulpit is much more than a piece of furniture; it should be the focal point of the worship service. Everything that happens … [Read more...]

ubmitted by philip on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:41 Heather Messick of Saraland, Ala., leads worship at First Baptist Church Pineville for the annual Kaleidoscope sponored by Women’s Mission and Ministry. More than 240 women attended the event. By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 PINEVILLE – If you are going to live your life for God, do it whole heartedly. “I don’t know about you but I never do anything in life halfway,” Susanne Hughes told the crowd of women before her. “Likewise, Jesus does not want you to devote half your life to Him or to love Him half-heartedly. “No, Jesus wants all of your love,” Hughes said. “He wants you to devote all of your heart to Him.” Hughes of Mirror Ministry was speaking at Kaleidscope, the annual women’s conference hosted  by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Women’s Missons and Ministry Department, to 240 women. The event, whose theme was “With a Whole Heart,” based on Jeremiah 29:13, was held at First Baptist Church Pineville on Saturday, Feb. 1. Joining Hughes, who spoke at the morning and afternoon sessions, was Heather Messick of Saraland, Ala., encouraging the women through music and … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:43 Louisiana Baptist Convention State Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillan stands with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer James Irvine. For his commitment to disaster relief work, Irvine was among four recently awarded the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Distinguished Service Award. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer James Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief trailer have a lot in common. Since first driving the trailer down to south Louisiana to respond to his first disaster days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine and his trailer have traveled thousands of miles across the US to respond after hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and fires with one mission in mind – giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. “Whatever it takes,” said Irvine, who in 2012 alone took the trailer more than 10,000 miles. “In a time of disaster is when people have their greatest need. Some may think it’s a material need but they also have a spiritual need. People see those of us with a yellow shirt on and know that disaster relief workers are here to help.” For his commitment to disaster relief work, Irvine was among four recently awarded the … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: World News Briefs are copyrighted by World Magazine and are used with permission.   Nagmeh Abedini, the wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini has cancelled plans to pray in front of the White House during a March protest of her husband’s detention. Abedini announced her decision the same day her lawyers revealed her husband has been moved to a less dangerous wing of the Iranian prison where he’s being held. The March protest, spearheaded by Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, is an effort to pressure President Barack Obama to help secure Abedini’s release from an Iranian prison. Since protesting on White House grounds is illegal, the action likely would have resulted in Nagmeh Abedini’s arrest. “After further prayer and counsel, I have determined it is not in the best interest of Saeed and our family for me to participate in the March 8th event that would have resulted in my arrest,” Abedini wrote on the “Pray for Pastor Saeed” Facebook page. “As a mother of two who has been without my husband and father of our two children for more than a year now, I will continue to focus on doing everything I can...to secure [his] freedom,” Abedini added.   March For Life … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message WOODWORTH – Hands-on ministry and challenging messages from a church planter and missionary are among the highlights of the upcoming Voyage 2014 conference for junior high and high school students. Scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22 at Tall Timbers Conference Center, Voyage will allow youth to learn how they can find their own place in missions according to God’s plan for their life. “At our Voyage weekend, we will encourage and challenge youth to grow strong in their faith, stand firm for Christ in daily living and boldly share the Good News through word and deed,” said Louisiana Baptist Convention Children/Youth Mission Education Strategist Jess Archer. “Through missions education we not only want to build solid conferences and weekend retreats, our prayer is that these programs build disciples and that the end result of these experiences would be a missional lifestyle that glorifies God.” Friday night’s session will include messages from Kyle Jagers, pastor of NOLA Baptist Church in New Orleans, and Meleah Nunn, an International Mission Board journeyman. Breakout sessions include how to prayer walk, sharing one’s faith, how to have a quiet time and living on mission for God every day. Saturday will … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message DALLAS (BP) – A federal judge’s ruling that the ministers’ housing allowance is unconstitutional has been appealed by government lawyers who argue the allowance should be upheld. The appeal will be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. The November decision by federal Judge Barbara Crabb was stayed pending appeal, meaning it had no immediate impact on ministers. The court challenge to ministers’ housing allowance was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The appeal, being waged by Justice Department attorneys, is welcome news for ministers and provides an opportunity for the federal appeals court to uphold the longstanding statute that allows churches to provide a tax-free housing allowance to ministers. A 2010 ruling by Crabb, an appointee of President Jimmy Carter, that the National Day of Prayer violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment was overturned by the Seventh Circuit in 2011. “Pastors and others in ministry are facing challenges here in the United States that would have been unthinkable as little as a decade ago,” said Tim Head, GuideStone executive officer for denominational and public relations services who was a lawyer before being … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE   Jerry (wife Debra) Pipes new as executive pastor at First Baptist Bossier City. Kevin Willis new as pastor at Indian Village Baptist Church Kinder. Landon (wife Summer) Robin new as youth minister at South Bossier Baptist Church. Kristian Brown new as student/education minister at Trees Baptist Church. Jerry (wife Sandra) Martin has retired as pastor at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Castor after 37 years. David (wife Reta) Keeny new as minister of music at Koran Baptist Church, Haughton. Katie Golgin new as preschool director at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING   Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches: Celebrating the 62nd anniversary of Trinity’s founding on Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. All former pastors, music/youth directors and former members are invited to attend. Lunch will be served. Speaker: Tom Curry. Music: Wayne Bridges. Pastor: Josh Currie. Southside Baptist Church, Shreveport: 100th anniversary and new church dedication on Feb. 23, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: Buddy Hankins.   LAGNIAPPE   First Baptist Church, Sulphur: “All One Body” a special Carey Association-wide worship service promoting racial unity on Feb. 16, 5-7 p.m. This service is open to all … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:57 Bi-vocational Pastor Glen Harrigill and his wife Penny teach together but also serve together at Riverside Baptist Church in Vidalia. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RIDGECREST – The 3 o’clock hour has arrived at Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology and Glen Harrigill is preparing to teach his weekly guitar lesson. “Try this bar,” Harrigill tells his attentive student on this January Tuesday afternoon. “I know you can get it right.”  A few minutes later, and to Harrigill’s delight, the student reproduces the note. Mission accomplished. But Harrigill is much more than a guitar man. When Harrigill and his wife are not at the school, he may be found visiting a nursing home, counseling, performing a wedding or funeral or preaching his Sunday sermon where he serves as pastor of Riverside Baptist in Vidalia. Such is the life of a bi-vocational pastor, who never has a typical day. “Depending on what a bi-vocational pastor has on his plate for the day often determines how much earlier he will get up in morning or stay up later at night,” Harrigill said. He recently was named as Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bivocational Pastor of the … [Read more...]