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| Submitted: Saturday, June 17, 2006; 6:52 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
The recent meeting of
Southern Baptists in Greensboro was an unapologetic emphasis
upon missions. Sometimes the real message of our annual
gathering is lost in the rhetoric of opinion making and the
reporting of some news outlets. Southern Baptists as a people of
the Book take seriously the Great Commission of our Lord in
seeking to make disciples for Him.
Bobby Welch, our president these past two years, personified
missions to the ultimate degree. He traveled extensively,
including a return visit to Vietnam. This time he went as a man
of the Word, not a man with a weapon. He was on scene with our
hurricane related disaster relief efforts. Here in Alabama,
Bobby came to assist our churches devastated by the arson
initiated fires last February. His presence was so appreciated
by Alabama Baptists and we will never forget his words of
encouragement.
The International Mission Board report was outstanding. Southern
Baptists, through our International Mission Board, are reaching
people groups in some of the most remote parts of the world. The
testimonies of our missionaries and their call for prayer
support remind us of the difference being made by these
strategic witnesses for Christ and by all of us in our going,
giving and praying.
The North American Mission Board report to the convention was
also most encouraging. Roy Fish has been named the interim
president as the board searches for a new leader. The testimony
of Aaron Coe, church planter in the SoHo district of Manhattan,
was a thrilling reminder that God is at work in The Big Apple.
Aaron challenged me personally with the comment, "There are no
God-forsaken places, just church-forsaken ones".
The Cooperative Program was reaffirmed throughout the annual
meeting. I cannot remember a time when the unified giving
channel so blessed by God and utilized by Southern Baptists
enjoyed such positive exposure. This is good for the kingdom and
good for Southern Baptists. In Alabama we would say "we have One
Mission - the Great Commission and One Program - the Cooperative
Program." This is a language we can understand and
wholeheartedly affirm.
Yes, we had concerns expressed through questions, motions and
resolutions. This is the Baptist way and I like it, but the
overall motif was missions. The reports from our mission boards
and our other entities underscored this motif, and that is as it
should be. Southern Baptists came to Greensboro to make a
statement: "We are a missions people". Southern Baptists left
that city and went home to do missions work scripturally,
sincerely and strategically. This was a historic meeting for us,
and we should pause and thank God for the opportunity to be on
mission with the Great Commission.
Welcome to the Alabama Baptist Family, Andrew Westmoreland
| Submitted: Monday, June 5, 2006; 1:52 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
On June 1, Andrew
Westmoreland assumed the duties of the presidency at Samford
University. One would guess that his first day would have been
spent on the campus of the university seeking to get his mind
around the orbit of responsibilities which are his in this
strategic new role of leadership. You might be surprised to know
that most of Westmoreland's first day on the job was devoted to
visiting with Alabama Baptists in Montgomery.
The Committee on Boards and Commissions met on June 1, and
Andrew Westmoreland was present for the meeting. The committee
would have understood had he decided to send a representative to
the meeting. After all, this was the very first day of work.
This is not Andy Westmoreland's style. He is a solid state
convention supporter and his presence underscored that fact.
Following the meeting of the committee Westmoreland visited the
various offices of ministry at the State Board of Missions. He
stayed for lunch and then joined me in my office for a lengthy
get acquainted session, which I enjoyed thoroughly.
Westmoreland has come to Alabama from Arkansas, where he served
as president of Ouachita Baptist University for eight years.
While giving leadership to Ouachita, Andy was actively
participating in Arkansas Baptist life. He is an excellent
churchman and family man. Although Andy is a well-trained
academic administrator, he also is a very personable and
practical-minded Christian leader.
Speaking of leadership, Westmoreland has written a book on the
topic.
Leading By Design is one of those resources every
pastor, church staff member and layperson would find helpful.
Using the example of Jesus, Westmoreland discusses how leaders
are to best relate to twelve different type individuals. I have
enjoyed reading and referencing the book, and I feel others will
experience the same satisfaction after reflecting over this
thoughtful material.
Andrew Westmoreland is a valuable addition to Alabama Baptist
life. He is available to speak at our churches, and he wants to
meet our people. Of course, there is much Andy has to do to get
to know his new role as president of a world-class Christian
university, but I wanted you to know how much this man has
impressed me as he has begun his ministry in Alabama. Welcome to
the family, Andy!!!
90 Minutes in Heaven
| Pre-submitted: Sunday, May 28, 2006; 4:29 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
Every so often my wife puts
a book in front of me and says, "Now you must read this one." To
be fair, I do the same with her – and that is just the way
things ought to be in marriage. However, I must confess that
sometimes I am not impressed with her recommendations. I hope
she does not read this review, because it would make for a long
summer. I feel certain that she is not always enthralled by my
recommendations of books as well.
Recently Pam came to me with the book entitled
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life,
written by Baptist minister Don Piper. At first glance, I
thought that the book must be a novel – and I like a good one
every now and then – but to my surprising delight 90 Minutes in
Heaven is not a fictional work. It is the testimony of a man who
was pronounced dead and lived to tell about the experience.
On Jan. 18, 1989, Don Piper was returning home from a Baptist
meeting in south Texas when an 18-wheeler, driven by a prison
inmate, careened out of control and struck his Ford Escort.
Piper had just begun wearing his seat belt that day, and that
safety precaution saved his life. A pastor traveling from the
same meeting he attended stopped and prayed for him. The
minister had been told that Don Piper was dead, but undeterred
he went ahead and prayed for him anyway, only to find Don had a
pulse. The rescue medical personnel went into overdrive racing
to the hospital.
This begins years of recovery accompanied by agonizing pain and
numerous experimental treatments. Don Piper's story is both
tragic and inspirational. It is also a testimony of how well his
church family, friends and personal family came through to help
him in this time of need. I do not want to rob you of the
wonderful experience of how the Lord works in a time of need.
This book would be an excellent summer read for anyone seeking
to understand how hopeless situations become hopeful ones.
