Selling 'For Sale' signs
A place at the beach used to be a dream. Now "for sale" signs prove the dream may be less palatable than the anticipation. Dream bigger. [Read More]
Posted by jameson ( Jun 30 2008, 02:08:58 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [0]

Horrible deaths leave gut ache
In the flood of bad news of man's inhumanity to man, only perfect love casts out fear. Can you be the conduit for perfect love in a fearful society?[Read More]
Posted by jameson ( Jun 19 2008, 03:30:28 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [2]

Who speaks for whom?
The Council on Christian Life and Public Affairs will depart from its mandate to speak to North Carolina Baptists rather than for them if the current track is maintained. [Read More]
Posted by jameson ( May 29 2008, 10:22:02 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

What do you remember May 26?
War is always futile. On Memorial Day remember that we are engaged in war this very hour.[Read More]
Posted by jameson ( May 26 2008, 07:32:47 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Voting counts today
What a country! Exercise your voting responsibility. [Read More]
Posted by jameson ( May 06 2008, 09:32:29 AM EDT ) Permalink

Winning RAGBRAI lottery
Long time goal to ride nation's oldest, longest and largest bike tour comes true. Another check off the bucket list. [Read More]
Posted by jameson ( May 04 2008, 07:07:12 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [5]

‘Dear Church’ describes disillusioned generation
Loving critic says the church doesn't demand enough of twentysomethings, who are dropping out of organized religion, even if they are not leaving the faith. [Read More]
Posted by jameson ( May 02 2008, 06:54:02 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

Who knows you by name?

Kathryn Carson heard her name called seven times during the awards banquet for the national Baptist Communicators Association in Phoenix April 18.

The first time you hear your name is mostly relief because no one wants to get shut out during the event that recognizes the best work of the year by association members.

But Kathryn, lead graphics designer for the Baptist State Convention the past three years, heard her name called repeatedly during the event, gracefully walking forward to receive a certificate each time, with increasing admiration from her peers.

We love to be called by name, don't we? With an outgoing personality and inclusive style, my college roommate must have been the inspiration for the movie character Austin Powers. Students shouted his name across campus and he would wave and reply, "Hey, there you are."

When Austin Powers, "man of mystery," said, "There you are" to a stranger, the stranger asked, "Do I know you?"

"No," Powers replied, "but there you are." Knowing someone's name was not an Austin Powers priority because he is totally ego centric.

It means a lot to call a person by name. It is the first step to knowing them. Calling their name says you value them as more than a presence, a title, a responsibility, or by the label someone else sews onto them.

During Operation Inasmuch April 19 members of Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland County were setting a memorial patio into place at Christine's House, a residential facility for girls from abusive or dysfunctional homes. The patio consisted of memorial bricks etched with the name of a donor or a person the donor wanted to honor.

Our name is important. Jacob wanted to know his wrestling opponent. In some cultures parents believe the name they bless a child with determines the child's life direction.

In Exodus 33:17 the Lord said he would do what Moses asked, "because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

Jesus said in John 10 that sheep recognize their shepherd's voice when he calls them by name which enables him to lead them.

The ability to remember names is a real blessing. We may excuse ourselves as simply being unable to remember names, but knowing the blessing it is to be called by name, it is a good idea to work at remembering. One way to remember is to repeat the name quickly in context after you learn it.

Participants at BCA last week will remember Kathryn Carson's name a long time.

Posted by jameson ( Apr 20 2008, 08:16:54 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [3]

Lewis hits road for children

Helping children is more important to Lewis Smith than the callouses, sore muscles, wind, hills and crazy drivers he will encounter this summer as he rides a bicycle 400 miles across 19 western counties to raise money for Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina.

Smith, for 28 years a pastor in North and South Carolina has been on the development staff for BCH since 2004 and is securing sponsors for his ride in hopes of raising $50,000.

This is an especially bold move for Smith because he is not a cyclist. At least, he wasn't, until he started training his sit bones and quads for this ride.

He is not riding straight through, but will ride and speak at churches, Vacation Bible Schools and special gatherings to tell people about the ministry North Carolina Baptists offer to children and their families. He will take a week off between segments of the ride to continue his development work, then mount the saddle again for the next leg. His wife, Sherry, will drive a support vehicle.

[Read More]
Posted by jameson ( Apr 16 2008, 08:16:53 PM EDT ) Permalink

Excited for Operation Inasmuch

I'm taking a red eye flight Friday night from Arizona so I can be in North Carolina Saturday to help cover the April 19 Operation Inasmuch statewide community ministry event.

I know I'm not alone in my excitement for this event because at least 805 churches have signed up to do Operation Inasmuch in their communities on that day.

Think of it. That could mean 80,000 or more North Carolina Baptists swarming this state in hands on ministry on the same day.

The Biblical Recorder is going to cover it like snow in Wisconsin. Send us your photos with captions so we can build a photo album.

I just finished a story for the next issue on the Hearts and Hammers ministry of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. Leader Tony Redden runs that volunteer organization like a weekly Operation Inasmuch.

"People appreciate what we do," Redden said. "It's taking scripture and putting action behind it. If we proclaim to be Christians and have love, scripture clearly tells us to show that love to others. This is a very tangible way to do that. People appreciate the action more than just words."

That statement summarizes Inasmuch. It is a tangible way to show God's love to the people in your community. And because as many as 80,000 North Carolina Baptist Christians are doing it the same day, it could have tremendous impact.

Can you think of a anything else, by any group, for any reason that coalesces 80,000 people at once for a common purpose?

David Crocker, who created Operation Inasmuch at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, always said the original goal of 250 churches was too low. He expected 500 churches and 50,000 volunteers, minimum.

Crocker has moved fulltime into promoting and preparing churches to conduct Operation Inasmuch throughout the nation and even has inquiries from abroad.

If you have not signed up yet, call Mary Mountz at the North Carolina Baptist Men's office in Cary: 919-459-5606. Churches in 97 of North Carolina's 100 counties have signed on. That is near blanket coverage.

Of course, the name for Operation Inasmuch comes from Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40 "...inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." Find ideas here.

Be among the many Saturday. Work among your neighbors as unto Jesus.

Posted by jameson ( Apr 14 2008, 05:00:42 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]

WMU Offering Demonstrates Selfless Work

A special offering received during the Woman's Missionary Union Missions Extravaganza April 5 demonstrates the heart, purpose and commitment of this dedicated cadre.

WMU staff resigned their positions with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina last year and WMU was removed as a recipient of North Carolina Missions Offering funds. Giving up their office support and missions offering, WMU started 2008 basically with no income.

In January WMU reinstituted the dormant Heck-Jones Offering for its own support. Executive Director Ruby Fulbright announced April 5 that gifts to date totaled $336,610. While the audience applauded the news, that amount is just 15 week's operating funds on the $1.14 million budget the women approved. Other funds are coming in from individual and church donors, but if the Heck-Jones Offering is to be the organization's life blood the doctor needs to order another pint of platelets.

That's some background, but Heck-Jones is not the offering I'm talking about.

Remember, Missions Extravaganza gathers WMU's most faithful, committed and enthusiastic members, women giving up a weekend to do business, be inspired and learn during dozens of special interest sessions. They don't sit on their wallets and they expect to be asked to contribute financially.

And WMU did receive an offering: for someone else.

Missionary is WMU's middle name and missionaries and their children can have their way with WMU like a spoiled child at the family reunion. "Re-entry" for missionary children returning to the United States to begin their college careers after growing up in another nation is often very difficult for them.

They are not coming home, they are leaving home to begin a life in this strange, fast, foreign land of their parents' birth. It is such a difficult journey for many that missionary Doris Walters wrote a moving and insightful book about her counseling experiences with these young adults: "The Untold Story:" Missionary Kids Speak From The Ends Of The Earth.

To aide that re-entry, North Carolina WMU is sponsoring a retreat in August at Mundo Vista for missionary kids from all over the world, who will be leaving the retreat for destinations all over the United States. The offering WMU received at Missions Extravaganza was for that retreat.

"It's not in the budget," Fulbright said. But the opportunity to meet that need is so compelling and important that WMU received a special offering among their members for it, even in the face of their own compelling need for day to day operating income. Stepping into the unbudgeted chasm of trust builds a bridge of faith.

WMU's new address, to which they will move the week of April 14, is 1200 Front Street, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27609. You can help with the re-entry retreat or the Heck Jones Offering by sending a gift to that address.

Posted by jameson ( Apr 07 2008, 03:32:54 PM EDT ) Permalink

First Quarter a Jolt

The first quarter report of Cooperative Program gifts from churches to ministries of the Baptist State Convention is jolting. Gifts are 7.9 percent lower than the same period last year, and 14.9 percent below budget.

No one is going to panic after just the first quarter report. In fact, gifts are not monitored quarterly, but daily. So the report is no surprise to the financial leaders Milton Hollifield and John Butler.

The question is, "What does it mean?"

No doubt the drop looks so severe in part because many Sunday March 30 gifts did not make it to Cary in time to be recorded by Monday night, March 31. But weekly reports in March had been tailing downward.

The Biblical Recorder is preparing a story on the North Carolina economy and its effect on churches. If you have a comment or insight on that, post it here or email steve @ biblicalrecorder.org.

Giving patterns will naturally reflect the economy. Psychology is also important. I lived through the oil crash in Oklahoma in the mid 80s and even those unaffected with job loss or depressed house prices pulled in protectively.

There is so much negative news today it is natural to pull in protectively. I appreciate what Hollifield said in the news story about the Cooperative Program's first quarter report. "We will continue to exhibit healthy concern, but not fear as we move forward in this budget year," he said.

Fear is not a Christian attribute."For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship." (Rom. 8:15)

Besides the economy and fear, other elements are at work that will be reflected in giving patterns beyond the local church. Among them are competition for missions dollars by para-church organizations; increasing viability of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as a cooperative missions entity; increased involvement in local missions that require reallocation of local dollars; decline in local church reliance on a denominational entity for training, resources or missions direction and charitable attraction of other pressing needs globally.

While this quarter's giving paints the notion starkly, in fact individuals and churches for some time have been less automatic in giving to traditional recipients.When patterns are interrupted by conflict or simply new possibilities, and churches are faced for the first time in decades with decisions about where to give, they often decide to keep the money home.

Please don't draw global conclusions from a sobering first quarter report on Cooperative Program giving. But those whose ministries live or die by those numbers are watching closely, and praying for a generous spirit among North Carolina Baptists in the coming months.

Posted by jameson ( Apr 02 2008, 04:43:34 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [2]

Theories easy on paper

End of life issues are easy in theory, much harder when the frail flesh of a dear family member adds a heart beat, a wan smile and pain filled groans to the deliberations.

Four weeks ago we secured a place for my father-in-law in a dementia unit. His wife's own issues keep her from caring for him at home. Shortly after he was moved, he fell and broke his hip.

[Read More]
Posted by jameson ( Mar 30 2008, 01:21:18 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [3]

Can you quit your church?

People who think presidential candidate Barack Obama should leave his church if he doesn't agree with the radical statements of his pastor do not understand the intimate and intricate ways a person's life intertwines with his or her community of faith.

Many elements attract and keep a person involved with that community well beyond the pastor and what the pastors says or doesn't say. In Baptist life, the common phrase for a person dissatisfied with his pastor but staying rooted in his church is that, "I was here before he came and I'll be here when he's gone."

Jeremiah Wright is Obama's suddenly controversial pastor, who, over a couple decades, led a declining and discouraged church of a few people to a membership of 8,000, the largest church in its denomination. His rabid pronouncements on race issues and condemnation of America have cost his most famous member dearly.

While Obama tries to say America is ready to deal head on with the great racial divide that has separated us consciously for centuries, and subconsciously for 143 years, Wright is driving wedges.

Although Obama has rejected and disavowed the comments of his pastor, he can neither disown the man nor the church, any more, he said, "than I can my white grandmother."

Why is that?

Your church, especially in our transient society, is your family. The persons in your Sunday school class or cell group are likely those you hang out with or call when you have a free evening and want to do something with a friend. Your children's friends are there. You make connections that carry into your everyday working world. These are the people who rally to your needs.

You've probably worked hard to find the church you're in, visiting others until you are weary with being a stranger, looking for the right fit and feel. Sometimes you join a church and the pastor leaves shortly thereafter. That doesn't mean you will leave too; there is so much more there for you than the pastor.

How uncommon is it for you to hear something from your pulpit that doesn't sound just right; or with which you outright disagree? Of course if it happened every week you have a problem. But likely those occurrences are rare. You give him the benefit of the doubt and shake his hand afterward and appreciate his ministry among you.

A couple years ago the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina nominating committee made a church's association with the Alliance of Baptists a litmus test for whether or not a member of that church was qualified to serve as a trustee for any BSC institution or agency. Some men and women who had faithfully served for decades in that role were denied the opportunity to continue service because a new pastor or church action had led their churches to that new, additional affiliation with the Alliance.

It mattered not whether the trustee agreed with his or her church's decision; whether they supported or opposed it. The trustee was guilty by association.

I heard in meetings and hallways during that time, when good men and women earnestly discussed the predicament that the nominating committee's parameters thrust people into, that a trustee disqualified for further service by his church's affiliation "ought to join a different church."

Those trustees, like Barack Obama, felt the awful tear between fealty to a family of believers they love and the opportunity to serve in a larger arena. Before you suggest a person dissatisfied with his or her pastor ought to "just leave" that church for another, consider the broader array of issues that involves.

Quote: "I am reminded of a group of Catholic parishioners who visited a young priest from their parish jailed for a protest at the Pentagon. 'He may be a crazy priest,' one of them said, 'but he's our crazy priest.' -- David O'Brien, professor of Roman Catholic studies, College of the Holy Cross

Posted by jameson ( Mar 22 2008, 09:34:30 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [6]

Hag or beauty?

Have you ever seen a picture that gives the illusion of one thing the first time you look at it and something completely different when you look again? The most famous might be this picture that is either an old hag or a young beauty.

During a week when the environment took top billing in Southern Baptist news we had a document urging us to "engage this issue without any further lingering over the basic reality of the problem, or our responsibility to address it."

Then on March 21 comes a story where the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission formally opposes legislation that would cap the greenhouse gases most scientists say cause global warming.

[Read More]
Posted by jameson ( Mar 20 2008, 01:50:49 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]