BOOK REVIEWS

State Missionary Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Other Recent Blog Entries:

A Sincere and Respectful Call for A Great Commandment Renewal
Thursday, June 24, 2010
As I have said earlier, I will do my best not to let disagreements define our relationships. I am praying that The Great Commandment Renewal will begin in me!

VBS Is a Blessing!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
As a pastor, I always felt that VBS was to be a major commitment on my part. I wanted to be in town, involved and engaged in the efforts of impacting the lives of children, youth and adults. It was not a chore for me, but rather it was a joy!

Taking the 'Stew' Out of Stewardship
Thursday, May 27, 2010
At first, I thought I had hurt his feelings. I mean this was a serious project, and maybe I was being a little too cute for my own good.

September 2008

A Memorable Milestone

September 8th was a memorable milestone for Alabama Baptists. This was the day on which we crossed the $1 billion mark in Cooperative Program giving. Since 1925, when the Cooperative Program was founded, Alabama Baptists have given a cumulative total of $1 billion dollars through the Cooperative Program. This is not counting the amounts given to the special offerings, such as: Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, world hunger, disaster relief, the Kathleen Mallory Missions Offering and the offering for the Children's Home and Family Ministries.

Alabama Baptists do not have the largest or wealthiest state convention, but we are among the most loyal in the SBC. Throughout the years, Alabama Baptists demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to Christ and to the mission causes of Southern Baptists in Alabama and around the world.

Think about this collective and multi-generational testimony offered by Alabama Baptists, past and present. During the dark and uncertain economic days of the Great Depression, Alabama Baptists remained faithful in giving through the Cooperative Program. Many Alabama Baptists worked on the farms and in the industrial plants of the inner city trying to make ends meet for their families but, despite the challenges, Alabama Baptists set the example in sacrificial giving in order to reach others for Christ.

World War II brought additional burdens for the family of faith called Alabama Baptists. Like the rest of the country, Alabamians joined the various branches of military service in huge numbers. In many cases, this emptied churches of men and some women. However, Alabama Baptists remained faithful in giving to support missions efforts through the Cooperative Program.

A few years ago, I met a layman who served on the State Board of Missions following World War II. He informed me of another memorable milestone back in 1951. This was the year when the Cooperative Program budget for the Alabama Baptist State Convention reached the $1 million mark. When I told him that 1951 was the year of my birth, he said, "I hope you live to see the budget to grow to $100 million dollars." I hope I see that day as well.

The decades of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s were growth years for Alabama Baptists and Southern Baptists. This paralleled the so-called Cold War era, which included the Civil Rights period of history and its aftermath. Turmoil and change were characteristic of this time, and yet Alabama Baptists continued to be steadfast in their dedication to the cause of Christ and to giving through the Cooperative Program.

The 1990s and the early part of the 21st century have been a time of reaffirmation of the Great Commission in Alabama Baptist life. In 1998, Alabama Baptists began to speak of our one mission, the Great Commission, and our one program, the Cooperative Program, as the singular emphasis of efforts together in Great Commission ministries. This simple but significant "more-than-a-motto"-type statement conveys the message of devotion Alabama Baptists feel toward being obedient to Christ in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission.

September 8th was in so many ways a normal and routine occasion. I was in the office on the phone, answering e-mails and doing consultations, when Bobby DuBois came into my office with a big broad smile. He said, "We made it! We have reached the $1 billion dollar mark." My first thoughts were, "Thank you, Alabama Baptists! The world is a better place because of you. Lives have been changed because you have given to the Lord." My next thought was, "Now we begin working on the second billion." I wonder what day in the future we will reach the $2 billion mark! Thanks, Alabama Baptists, for being faithful in the past, and thanks in advance for being faithful to Christ in the future.

Fired up about 'Fireproof'

The Kendrick brothers have done it again! The makers of earlier films, "Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants," have raised the bar even more with their new motion picture "Fireproof." As screen writers, directors and producers, these two brothers, with backing of numerous volunteers, have turned the Hollywood culture of filmmaking on its ear. Major players in the Hollywood scene have taken notice of their success as filmmakers. This is a positive sign for the future as the Kendrick brothers look to other ventures in the world of the big screen.

Recently, we at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions had an opportunity to preview the movie, which is scheduled to be in theatres in later this month. "Fireproof" is not only a family-friendly story, it is unapologetically Christian in nature. The gospel message is presented in a crystal clear way as the dramatic story of marital conflict unfolds. With the addition of Kirk Cameron as the lead actor, the acting in this film has been thoroughly enhanced. The others in the film did outstanding jobs as well. Some cameo appearances are going to be familiar to Baptists, such as the acting debut of evangelist Bill Stafford as the next door neighbor. His comedic deadpan performance is at least worthy of a Christian academy award like honorable mention.

Churches have the opportunity to use this movie as an outreach effort. In addition to inviting people to accompany you to the theatre who are not professing Christians, the viewing of this film is one way to encourage those married couples struggling to find a way to stay together in a growing and stable relationship. "Fireproof" is a strong and convincing story about how Christ can be the glue in a marriage founded on love for Him. In fact, younger or older, married or single, there is hardly anyone who would not enjoy this account of how Christ can change lives.

For some time now, I have been intrigued by the power of storytelling as a means of sharing the gospel. "Fireproof" is an evidence of how storytelling on the silver screen can be done with purity of message and qualitative excellence.

As Christians, we have bemoaned the fact that the theatre has been hijacked by those who want to present dramas unfriendly to families and to those who follow Christ. This movie represents the antidote for such problems. It proves that you can be Christian and also be a quality filmmaker. The geniuses behind "Fireproof," the Kendrick brothers, are very good at their craft.

As you can tell, I am fired up about "Fireproof." I recommend it to you as a potentially enriching experience personally and as a means of sharing the Gospel with those who need to know Christ. There are people you know who can be touched by the message presented in this dramatic, life-changing story. Make plans now to see the film yourself. Contact people in your family and circle of friends and acquaintances who need to see the movie.

Can a motion picture be used to reach people for Christ? In the case of "Fireproof," the answer is definitely yes. Fill up the church bus and go to this movie. More importantly, fill up the theatre with people who need to visualize how Christ can change lives and heal marriages. Get fired up about "Fireproof"! It is both a difference-maker and a joy to be experienced.