Loving God Loving

News and information for ministry from LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention

Loving God makes him “The Man” Story on page 12

JULY/AUGUST 2005 Contents

Volume 51 • Number 4 July/August 2005

Commentary Be the Man• 12 From my heart to yours: time for your family ...... 4 Pastors say their families are healthy ...... 6

Articles El Paso LifeWay Christian Store has bilingual focus ... 8 Hispanic realities ...... 11 Be the Man conference ...... 12 10 seconds can protect pastors ...... 14 ACP indicates growth trend ...... 16 VBS results • 18 2004 VBS yields 100,000+ decisions ...... 18 Savvy collegiate ministries connect with students .... 20 LifeWay Christian Store manager of the year ...... 21 Maga-book offers young girls right messages ...... 22 Women to women ministry ...... 26 5 tips to engage children in worship ...... 27 SkiXplosion makes for cool youth retreat ...... 28 Mike Harland new LifeWay music leader ...... 30 Henry new network partnerships head ...... 30

Resources Just released from LifeWay ...... 32

Cover photo: Terri Culp, a member of Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., sings at the Be the Man conference at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center, where African American men were challenged to pursue God. Photo by Denise McGill.

Notice to readers: Phone numbers, Web addresses and content referenced in articles were veriﬁed at the time El Paso store opens • 8 of printing. Coming in the September/October issue

• VBS 2005 - Texas church rambles cross country.

• VBS 2006 - Arctic adventure makes for cool summer.

How to get Facts & Trends absolutely free: Write us: Facts & Trends Protecting your pastor • 14 One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0192 Call us: 615.251.3698 E-mail us: [email protected]

Visit us on the Web: Our site: www.lifeway.com/factsandtrends LifeWay’s news site: www.lifeway.com/news

Our purpose To support you in ministry by connecting you with Life- Way’s “Biblical Solutions for Life.” To help you carry out your calling more effectively as you read news and feature stories, information about trends that impact the church, ministry tips and an introduction to new LifeWay products. Whether you’re a pastor, church staff member or lay leader, you’ll ﬁ nd ways to enhance your ministy. LifeWay store manager of the year • 21 Our format Facts & Trends is published six times a year by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Facts & Trends is a free publication. Our people Polly House, editor; Katie Shull, graphic designer; Kelly Davis, Sara Horn, Brooklyn Noel, Chris Turner, writers; Kent Harville, visuals specialist; Chelsea Richard- son, communications assistant; Shirley Richardson, Web editor; Russ Rankin, editor in chief; Rob Phillips, SkiXplosion• 28 director, corporate communications. July/August 2005 3 From my heart to yours

What’s your family’s testimony? ave you ever been with someone when his pocket chimes? You know the sound, the familiar chime of a PDA (personal digital assistant) that’s been synced with a desktopH calendar program. The alarm is a reminder that it’s time to scurry off to another appointment. We try to squeeze every minute of productivity from a day of 1,440 minutes. If you are a pastor, there are relationships to build, sermons to prepare, hospital visits to make, funerals and weddings. Rarely do the most important aspects of a pastor’s job fall between the hours of 9- 5, Monday through Friday. Unfortunately most church members see their pastors as always being on call. There are a lot of demands and a lot of pressures, which is why we need calendars. But we each need one calendar that includes family appointments. I’m not talking little Sammy’s dentist appointment or little Mary’s parent-teacher conference – although those things are important. I’m talking about including Sammy’s baseball game and Mary’s music James T. Draper Jr., President recital as well. The health of your family is completely dependent LifeWay Christian Resources of the upon it. Southern Baptist Convention The following pages have the most recent research done by Ellison Research exclusively for Facts & Trends. The findings are interesting, and I do not think I’m going out on a limb to wonder if we are being totally honest with ourselves. Eighty-six percent of the pastors surveyed rated their relationship with their spouse at a 4 or a 5 on a scale of 1-5. Eighty-six percent rated their relationship with their children at 4 or higher and 80 percent rated their relationship with their family the same. However, just 29 percent ranked other pastors as Subscribe high with family relationships, with just 3 percent of In addition to this column in Facts & Trends, those being 5. In other words, “My family has strong LifeWay President James T. Draper Jr. writes relationships but more than 70 percent of other pastors’ LifeWay@Heart, a periodic e-mail message addressing trends and ministry ideas. Add your name to the LifeWay@Heart mailing list by going to www.lifeway.com/form_heart.asp. On the form, type in your e-mail address and name, then click the “Join List” button. families are struggling.” It appears we have a skewed perception, probably indicating we are overly critical of other pastors while being more generous to ourselves. It makes me wonder how our spouses and children would grade us using the same questions. One way to score high marks is time invested in relationships. I have two sons and a daughter. Years ago my youngest son wanted to go deer hunting, just him and me. I’d never been deer hunting before but I realized he “There are no wanted his dad all to himself more than he wanted to deer hunt. That first trip was 28 years ago and I shortcuts; time still block off the first week of deer season to spend and attention are that time with him. I once served on staff at First Baptist Dallas under the only routes to W.A. Criswell, one of the heroes of the faith. He called me to a meeting late one afternoon and I told strong families.” his secretary I couldn’t make it because I had an We recommend — James T. Draper Jr. appointment I had to keep. The appointment was • “ Married to a my other son’s football game. Pastor: A Guide for The point is I’ve only ever had one calendar and Pastoral Couples I’ve put on it the events the people in my family felt were important. Have I always on Surviving the been perfect? No, but throughout 54 years of ministry my family knows they are Ministry” by H.B. my priority. After all, the greatest testimony a pastor has is his family. There are no London Jr. and shortcuts; time and attention are the only routes to strong families. Neil B. Wiseman Healthy relationships among family members enhance a pastoral ministry and poor • “ Married to a relationships undermine it. What’s your family’s testimony? ■ Pastor’s Wife” by H.B. London In His Love, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman • “ The Pastor’s Family” by Daniel L. Langford These and other resources are available through customer service at www.lifeway.com and (800) 458-2772 and from LifeWay Christian Stores at www.lifewaystores.com and (800) 233-1123.

July/August 2005 5 Survey pastors Most pastors see their family relationships as healthy by Ron Sellers

new study shows pastors see their remarried. Ninety-three percent have own families as fairly healthy, even children, including 43 percent who have though they believe their jobs adolescents, and 50 percent who have only meanA they don’t spend enough time with children 18 or older. Fourteen percent are their families, and there are unreasonable carrying on a family tradition – themselves expectations connected with being the the child of a minister. spouse or child of a minister. Ninety-three percent of all pastors believe The study, conducted among a there is extra pressure being married to a representative sample of 870 senior pastors minister (including 54 percent who strongly for Facts & Trends by Ellison Research, believe this), and 91 percent feel there is showed eight out extra pressure being the child of 10 pastors are Six out of 10 ministers of a minister (including 46 currently on their percent who feel this way first marriage, while say their role as a strongly). Eighty-eight percent another 12 percent pastor leaves them believe churchgoers often are divorced and with insufﬁcient time expect pastors’ families to be for their family. “better than” other people’s families. In all three cases, Southern Baptist ministers are particularly likely to perceive extra pressure on their families. Six out of ten ministers say their roles as pastors leave them with insufficient time for their families. Only 18 percent said the amount of time they get to spend with their spouses is at extremely healthy levels, and 10 percent said this about the amount of time they get to spend with their children. Even so, when asked to rate the health of their relationships with their spouses on a scale of 1 to 5, 47 percent of pastors give it the highest possible rating, a 5, while another 39 percent rate it at a 4. Similarly, 44 percent of ministers rate the health of their relationships with their children at a 5, and another 42 rate it at a 4. Overall, 26 percent of pastors rate the health 6 Facts & Trends of their family units at a 5, and another their children, and 23 percent are having 54 percent give it a 4 rating. Ministers significant problems with their spouses or who have been divorced report less healthy marriages. relationships with their children and rate With all of the extra pressure on pastors’ the health of their family units lower than families, and the limitations on the time do other pastors. pastors get to spend with their families, one While pastors see the health of their of the more relevant findings of the study is own families in a positive light, they often that 61 percent of ministers believe strongly perceive problems with families of other that if there were crises in their families, clergy members. Just 3 percent say pastors’ they would receive the necessary support families in general in their denomination from their churches. Another 33 percent are extremely healthy, while another 26 feel only somewhat confident they would percent rate this as a 4. get the support they need, while 6 percent In fact, the average minister said 27 felt no confidence their churches would percent of other Protestant ministers he support them in family crises. ■ knows are having significant problems with Senior pastor survey results

2% 10% 34% Church-goers often expect 54% pastors’ families to be “better than” other people’s families

7% 2% 46% 45% There is extra pressure being the child of a minister

4%2%

40% 54% There is extra pressure being Ron Sellers is president of Ellison Research (Phoenix, married to a minister Ariz.), which is conducting exclusive research for Facts & Trends on issues important to our readers. agree strongly agree somewhat disagree somewhat disagree strongly July/August 2005 7 Manager fulﬁlls missionary calling through LifeWay Christian Store by Chris Turner

8 Facts & Trends Hispanic Ministry

Far left: Martha Poe, manager of the El Paso LifeWay Christian Store, speaks with employees before the grand opening. Left: Exterior of the

El Paso store. Photos by Kent Harville Kent by Photos

artha Poe can stand at the to move to another store,” said Bruce window of the new LifeWay Munns, director of store operations for Christian Store she manages LifeWay. “But she has a missionary heart Mand see a reminder of why she came to El and she’s always seen being here in El Paso Paso, Texas, exactly 20 years ago: Mexico. as a mission field.” “I always thought I was going to be a Poe manages three full-time and seven missionary,” said Poe following the ribbon part-time employees, all of whom are cutting of the new 6,000-square-foot bilingual. Sales at the old location were store that moved from across town. “I was evenly divided between English and Spanish involved with ministry to migrant workers customers. With the strategic placement in Florida growing up and went to seminary of the new store, Spanish sales growth is with the expectation I’d be a missionary expected. This makes the view out the somewhere in a Spanish-speaking country.” window that much more significant, Poe As a student at Southwestern Baptist said. Theological Seminary, Poe enjoyed working View of Mexico at what was then the Baptist Bookstore. “All that you see out there is Mexico and When the time came for her to go overseas, the city of Juarez,” said Poe as she swept there were no openings for someone of her her hand from one side of the panoramic education specialty. The regional bookstore view to the other. Juarez is just a couple of manager said a bilingual person was needed miles down the hill from the store on the in El Paso to run the bookstore. Poe went other side of the Rio Grande River. “The and she’s been here ever since. people over there are a big reason we are “Martha has had plenty of opportunities here. Christian resources are so hard to find July/August 2005 9 in other countries but we are conveniently “We really do see located in a growth corridor not very far from our opportunity in a border crossing.” the stores beyond El Paso itself is 69 percent Hispanic and has seen a 19.7 percent growth rate in the simply selling products Hispanic population since 1998. The increase to customers. reflects the growth of the Hispanic population The stores become immigrating to the United States, according an extension of our to Daniel Sanchez, professor at Southwestern employees’ church Baptist Theological Seminary. and personal evangelism Hispanic realities opportunities.” Sanchez authored “21st Century Hispanic — Jim Shull, Realities: Transforming the Social and LifeWay representative Religious Panorama of North America,” Photos by Kent Harville a summary of research done by notable

Customers at the organizations such as the Brookings Institution, the Hispanic Center of the Pew grand opening of Charitable Trust, George Barna Research Center, the U.S. Census Bureau and others. the El Paso LifeWay “We are calling these realities, instead of trends, because the fact is that they are already Christian Store peruse in progress and not just factors that are projected to take place in the future,” Sanchez merchandise aisles and said. shop for resources. For instance, the first reality Sanchez lists is that the growth of the Hispanic American population has exceeded even the boldest projections of demographic experts. In the 30 years between 1970 and 2000, the Hispanic population in the U.S. grew by more than 25 million people, bringing the total to more than 35 million Hispanics currently residing in the U.S. Demographers project that by 2050, one in every three births in the U.S. will be Hispanic. Within 10 years, half of all immigrants to the U.S. will be Hispanic. His gathered data confirm LifeWay’s decision to move the store to a more strategic location where 11 schools and two major churches will relocate in the next few years. It is because LifeWay’s 124 stores are spread across 22 states that LifeWay representative Jim Shull believes they will have the opportunity to fulfill LifeWay’s vision of providing biblically-based resources that spiritually transform individuals and cultures. “We really do see our opportunity in the stores beyond simply selling products to customers,” he said. “The stores become an extension of our employees’ church and 10 Facts & Trends Hispanic Ministry 21st Century Hispanic realities personal evangelism opportunities. study of Hispanics in North America, We’ve added more Spanish resources conducted by Daniel Sanchez, professor to most of our locations and the of missions, director of the Scarborough El Paso store is the flagship for InstituteA for Church Growth and acting director providing resources to the Hispanic of the World Mission Center at Southwestern community.” Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Unique ministry Texas, revealed several realities that have significant implications for individuals and institutions that Poe has a wealth of unique are seeking to minister to Hispanics. ministry stories from which to draw examples, but recently a Korean lady We are calling these “realities” instead of “trends” from a church in Baltimore called because they are already in progress and not just the toll free number [(800) 242- factors that are projected to take place. 5427] to ask Poe for help preparing Re ality 1: The growth of the Hispanic American resources for a mission trip to the population has exceeded even the boldest Dominican Republic where the projections of demographic experts. group would be ministering to Re ality 2: Hispanics have spread throughout the Spanish speakers. country faster than any previous immigrant “That was a bit unusual,” Poe said. group. We recommend • “Alabadle! Hispanic “But we do have people call from Re ality 3: The first generation (the immigrants) Christian Worship” around the country almost every has become the largest segment of the Hispanic by Justo L. Gonzales day looking for Spanish resources. population in America today. • “Partners in the I believe that will pick up even Re ality 4: The use of the Spanish language has Mighty Works of more later this year when in the fall increased in the past two decades. we begin carrying LifeWay’s dated God: A Manual Re ality 5: Second and third generation Hispanics curriculum in Spanish, something for Non-Hispanic have made significant strides in educational we’ve not done before.” Churches in attainment, yet the first generation lags behind. LifeWay draws its name from John Ministry with Re ality 6: Hispanics are showing more receptivity 14:6 and as Munns said during Hispanics” by Russ to the evangelical message than ever before in the store’s dedication, “We want to Harris and Jo Harris the history of this country. proclaim that message of salvation • “The Hispanic in as many cities in the United Re ality 7: Hispanics are typically very Challenge: States as possible.” For Poe and conservative regarding social values. Opportunities her staff, proclaiming that message Re ality 8: Second and third generation Hispanics Confronting the reaches down the hill and across the have made significant strides financially, yet Church” by Manuel river to the people of Mexico and to typically newly arrived Hispanics have the most Ortiz the surrounding Hispanic culture. difficult time financially. “God has given me a unique Re ality 9: Hispanic Americans are the group These and other resources opportunity to fulfill my missionary with the largest number of children and young are available through customer service at www. calling,” Poe said. “It is exciting people. lifeway.com and (800) that the dedication of this new store Re ality 10: Hispanics have much in common 458-2772 and from comes on the 20th anniversary with one another yet there is significant LifeWay Christian Stores of my coming to El Paso. We are diversity among them. at www.lifewaystores.com excited about the chance we have and (800) 233-1123. to be a part of transforming For a complete copy of this research, go to people’s lives.” ■ www.churchstarting.net or contact Sanchez at July/August 2005 11 [email protected]. Be the

By Andrea Higgins hristian leaders know society’s definition of masculinity Man!drives too many men to avoid their responsibilities in a fruitless quest for a misguided worldly ideal of what it takesC to be a man. It is far off course from the spiritual mandate to be the man – the message of the third annual “Be the Man” conference at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearly 200 men from across the country gathered in April to be encouraged with passionate preaching and inspirational gospel music. They celebrated their brotherhood – both in Christ and in a common cultural heritage. Jesus Christ is the model every African American male needs to follow, conference leaders said. “Turn to the brother next to you and tell him, ‘Be the man!’” said conference study leader Tyrone Barnette, pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. “Say it like a real man,” Barnette intoned, his fiery discourse revving up the crowd. “Be the man!” he shouted, to a resounding chorus of response. With a dark and humiliating history of slavery and racism, leaders talked about the strength it takes to show submission before God and the need to resist the mindless pursuit of material gain while Photo by Denise McGill by Photo sidestepping worldly outlets like promiscuity, drugs and alcohol. George McCalep, keynote speaker at the Be “Many times we feel it’s a battle to be a black man in America,” the Man conference, is pastor of Greenforest said Kevin Smith, pastor of Watson Memorial Baptist Church in Community Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga. Louisville, Ky., who led a breakout session. “Multiply that by many- fold and think about what’s against the man of God.” Smith, citing alarming statistics on the exodus of men from churches from “The Six Battles Every Man Must Win” by Bill Perkins, said it is time to turn the tide on the feminization 12 Facts & Trends of the church. Men’s ministry

“Women are twice as likely to be involved Barnette asked God to look “past the in discipleship at church as men,” Smith toughness of our manhood and see the said. “We’ve got to put a more masculine tenderness of our spirit.” face on the church.” He offered his personal testimony about Taking a stand repentance, and his struggles in college He said part of the problem is a cultural with worldly temptations of drinking and misconception equating sensitivity and women. He recalled preaching a message taking responsibility with weakness. He said 18 years ago about the inconsistency of the it’s a spillover from the 1960’s stereotypical apostle Peter, and suddenly admitted to the “Kumbaya” image of Jesus as all about congregation that the Peter he was talking compassion, without regard to the strength about was himself. He exhibits in the Bible. Strength in confession The conference also touched on biblical “I really believe if I had not made a principles to help stem the tide of absentee decision to trust Him that day with my sin, fathers and to reach a younger generation I would not be here today,” Barnette said Man! for Christ. in an emotion-filled plea for the men to Attendees were encouraged to reject trust Jesus and come forward to rededicate hate-filled perceptions of Christianity themselves to be the men God wants them perpetuated by people like Louis Farrakhan, to be. leader of the Nation of Islam. The men filled the aisles, hugging each “Farrakhan has told black men that other, some with tears in their eyes. Christianity is a white man’s religion,” said “It was intense,” said Michael Robinson, keynote speaker George O. McCalep Jr., an associate minister at First Baptist senior pastor of Greenforest Community Church, Lexington, Ky. “There’s a high level Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. “We need of emotion. Men need to see that, because to find our identity and then we need to a lot of time men don’t have a place where give it up. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. they can show that. They think church is It’s not about culture. It’s about Christ.” not really a place for men. If you can’t have McCalep founded the Cushite Movement, intimacy with God, you can’t have intimacy We recommend in your relationships.” a Christian group calling black men to • “Growing Up to the reclaim what he says is biblical heritage “Breaking it down, it’s really simple. I Head” dating back to Cush, the son of Ham. found out that God shapes us through the • “How to be Blessed” “You cannot be a Cushite man and be a crises in our lives,” said Will Johnson, a • “Praising the Hell racist,” he said. It is a Christian movement deacon at Rock of Ages Baptist Church Out of Yourself” based on Christian principles, he stressed. in Tuskegee, Ala., adding that he was a Members take vows of love and obedience recovering cocaine addict for seven and • “Sin in the House” to Christ, to racial equality and human a half years. These and other resources rights, sexual purity, fidelity and the sanctity “It’s powerful to see a bunch of men by George O. McCalep Jr. are available through of marriage. getting together who are really real about customer service at www. “Here’s where some brothers fall right being a Christian. There’s a heartfelt unity lifeway.com and (800) out,” McCalep smiled, shaking his head. here,” Johnson said, summing up the value 458-2772 and from “We tell the ladies back home, ‘You better of the conference for him. “You can see LifeWay Christian Stores not marry one of those Cushite men, the love that we have for one another, and at www.lifewaystores.com because they ain’t getting no divorce. I’ve in the common sector, you don’t have that and (800) 233-1123. been married 43 years. I told my wife when kind of bond.” ■ she packs her clothes, pack mine too.” July/August 2005 13 Protect your pastor in as little as 10 seconds a week By John Trent

o one saw it coming. Not the people who thought Brian* looked and sounded “just fine” on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Not the deacon board or the renovation committeeN or the Tuesday night visitation team that he always joined. But, like thousands of churches each year, when the congregation showed up for services that Sunday, there was an assistant pastor in the pulpit. Another pastor had walked away from his calling and church. It was Brian’s problem, right? Certainly, to a degree he could have done things differently. But it’s not what you think. There was no immorality. No huge division in the church. No smoking guns. In fact, Brian’s problem is the problem of too many burned out, used-up pastors: he never cried out for help. He hoped help would come, but he never brought up his own inner struggles until leaving seemed the only answer. When I talked to Brian, he told me that he had walked away because in all the swirling activity of a growing church he felt both alone and unwanted – a failure. It’s not that Brian was only seeking the praise of man. But, his leaving was related directly to something that his congregation could have solved in as little as 10 seconds a week. 14 Facts & Trends *name changed Getty Images Christian Living Let me repeat that: Brian’s feelings provide this spiritual and emotional vitamin of loneliness, being unwanted and not pill? “Bright eyes” and “good news.” measuring up could have been solved – and Now watch this. Here comes a chance in a good man would have remained in the 10 seconds to increase the emotional health ministry – if his congregation had taken 10 of your pastor. It’s this Sunday morning; seconds a week to do something. you catch him in the hallway rushing out What’s this “10 second” cure-all? That’s of a Sunday school class where he’s made how long it would have taken people in his an announcement and on his way to the church to live out the message of two verses second service. in Scripture, both verses carrying the same “Hey pastor!” Look at him with a smile, word: “good.” touch his arm and say, “I’ve got to tell Proverbs 3:27 says, “When it is within you this. You are so good at (pick the your power, don’t withhold good from the strength you’ve seen in his life; preaching, one to whom it is due.” And, Proverbs counseling, sharing a vision for our people, 15:30 says, “Bright eyes cheer the heart; blessing your own family, balancing so good news strengthens the bones.” many plates, listening, etc.) that I wanted Treat them like ‘heavyweights’ you to know I love you and am praying for you and your family.” Let me connect the dots between these two proverbs and then give you a specific That’s 10 seconds flat. No long speech. example of a “10-second cure.” It’s clear No expensive card. Nothing but genuine from Scripture that those in ministry are praise and encouragement for someone worthy of “honor” in the biblical sense God deems worthy of “double honor.” of the word. First Timothy 5:17 tells us, Lighten up We recommend “The elders who are good leaders should be So, here’s your two-part assignment: First • “ Leading from Your considered worthy of an ample honorarium, share this article with five friends in your Strengths” especially those who work hard at preaching church. Then, the five of you commit to • “ Leading from and teaching.” In Greek, “honor” literally “brightening your eyes” and sharing some Your Strengths 2: means, “to be heavy, weighty.” In Old “good news” with your pastor about how Building Intimacy Testament times it was used for gold that you appreciate him. Or, get your whole in Your Small was both heavy and very valuable. Can you Sunday school class to “brighten up their Group” see now the connection with your pastor? eyes” and share some affirmations every • “ Choosing to Live “When it is within your power, don’t time they see your pastor (and other staff the Blessing” withhold good from the one to whom it members as well). These and other is due.” We’re to treat pastors with honor And second, I urge at least one of you in resources by John Trent – like they’re “heavyweights” in our eyes. In your church to have your pastor go to www. are available through fact, doubly so. And, like our first proverb ministryinsights.com/lifeway and visit the customer service at www.lifeway.com and challenges, the time to express that honor is interactive Ministry Insights Behavioral right now, not at their retirement party or (800) 458-2772 and from Assessment. It takes 10 minutes of his time LifeWay Christian Stores “sometime.” It’s now. to complete and will give him a 28-page, at www.lifewaystores.com But how? How can you “doubly personalized report that tells him how and (800) 233-1123. Go honor” your pastor and be a tremendous valuable he is. to www.ministryinsights. blessing and protective element in his life? Most of all, keep up the “10-second” com/lifeway for more “Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news information about cure. It can keep the “Brians” who feel like this assessment tool by strengthens the bones.” A sound heart and dried-out wells overflowing with love in our John Trent. strong bones. Both are images of healthy churches. ■ functioning. And what does it take to All Scripture references from the Holman CSB. July/August 2005 15 2004 ACP statistics report possible SBC growth trend By Chris Turner

ecently compiled statistics show enrollment were Sunday school (8,206,440 that some of the recent downward – up 12,554); men and boys mission trends the Southern Baptist education (423,207 – up 4,601); and ConventionR experienced in key categories discipleship training (2,237,345 – up such as baptisms and membership 235,785). Draper was most pleased about were reversed during 2004, showing the discipleship increase. “encouraging signs that the denomination “One thing we’ve been hearing from may be heading in the right direction,” pastors, associations and state conventions according to LifeWay President James T. is the need for discipleship renewal,” he Draper Jr. said. “This really reflects what I’ve been “I think there is a lot we can take from hearing as well from the younger leaders these statistics that is positive and shows a I’ve been meeting with across the country turnaround from where we’ve been the past the past several months. They realize the three years,” Draper said. “The increase need to get their church members grounded in baptisms is slight, but an increase of doctrinally and discipleship studies are the more than 10,000 over the previous year is way to do that. I see this as a very positive encouraging.” trend for individuals, churches and our According to the Annual Church Profile denomination.” (ACP), information gathered by LifeWay, Draper also pointed out that total offering baptisms for 2003 were down for the receipts were up $522,666,407 to more fourth consecutive year and had dropped to than $10 billion dollars, but he said the 377,357, but rebounded in 2004 to finish most encouraging aspect of the increase the year at 387,947. was the amount going toward total mission Draper noted that the current SBC expenditures. There was an 8.84 percent emphasis on baptizing a million people increase over last year, bringing receipts up during 2005 wasn’t initiated until last more than $97 million dollars to nearly summer’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, $1.2 billion and reflects that 11.7 percent of and only allowed churches who accepted total receipts are missions related. the challenge to be a part of the initiative “I’m excited to see such a significant for a short time before the end of the amount of our receipts being designated reporting year. Draper said he would be for missions endeavors,” Draper said. “surprised if we didn’t see a considerable “I hope this reflects a trend that we as a jump” in baptisms when information is denomination are recapturing our roots of gathered for 2005. being an evangelistic and missions-oriented Draper pointed out 441 new churches people. The most important thing we as a were established in 2004 for a total of people can do is share the gospel with the 43,465, up from 43,024 in 2003. Total peoples of the world and lead them to a membership increased by 62,444 for a total saving faith in Jesus Christ.” of 16,267,494. WMU enrollment increased 115,626 Other key areas that saw increased to a total of 967,831. One new state 16 Facts & Trends ACP Statistics

convention, the Dakota Baptist groups that are comprised of fewer people. Convention, which had been a fellowship, “Overall I think this is a good report,” affiliated with the SBC. Draper said. “Last year I felt there was a Music ministry enrollment declined by real urgency with the declines we were 68,054 or minus 4 percent. Draper said seeing in some key categories that reflected it is hard to know exactly why there was a a denomination that had lost its focus. I’m decline in music ministry enrollment, but hoping these figures reflect the beginning speculated it may be indicative of a trend of a growing trend indicative of a in churches to move away from formal denomination focused on reaching people choirs and more toward praise and worship for Christ.” ■

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July/August 2005 17 VBS – a year-round impact By Russ Rankin hurches understanding the importance of Vacation Bible School also realize the year-round impact that can be made through participation in VBS, Corganizers at LifeWay say. Figures taken from the 2004 Annual Church Profile show 3,220,305 individuals enrolled in VBS last year and 101,683 made decisions to receive Christ. However, said Becky Martin, LifeWay’s VBS ministry specialist, the impact VBS makes goes beyond the numbers reflected in the statistical report. “Just think,” she said, “a child from the neighborhood accepts Christ at VBS and wants to come to Sunday school. There may be an older brother in the home who didn’t attend VBS but now has a link to the church. And then the unchurched parents venture over to the church to see firsthand this place that changed their child’s life.” In 2004, 28,500 churches conducting VBS added 232,977 names to their Sunday school prospects list, resulting in more than 45,000 additions to Sunday school rolls. Churches with developed outreach programs – such as the FAITH/Sunday 18 Facts & Trends Photo by Kent Harville School Evangelism Strategy – have effective VBS results

tools in place to continue the relationships More than 64 percent of reporting made with prospects. churches conducted evening VBS and many “When the supplies are back in the closet, programs were offered in the morning that’s when Bible school is just beginning,” and the evening “in order to get teenagers Martin explained. “That’s where FAITH involved and reach more working families and VBS go hand-in-hand. People who who may be hesitant to change their might be unwilling to let someone from a children’s care during the day,” Martin church come by their home for visitation explained. are often willing for you to do something LifeWay is committed to assisting nice for their kids. VBS is that bridge.” churches – locally and at the state and “It breaks my heart the number of association level – to be effective in Bible churches who have VBS and don’t follow school training. Between January and May up on the prospects and decisions made,” each year, LifeWay said Martin, citing an example of a new conducts training 2004 VBS results at a glance children’s minister who, in planning VBS workshops for Churches holding VBS 28,500 activities for the upcoming summer was state VBS directors Participants enrolled 3,220,305 given a sealed envelop containing the who in turn train Decisions to receive Christ 101,683 at the association reports, decisions and response cards from Sunday school prospects 232,977 the previous VBS. and church level. Sunday school additions 45,000 “It was unopened. Nothing had been Training these VBS workers trained 85,000 done,” Martin said. “That is so tragic. “multipliers” Churches must follow up.” resulted in more than 85,000 church leaders being trained Outreach to the whole family for VBS in 2004. Martin also pointed out that “there is a Martin said it is exciting to see state misconception in many churches that VBS conventions realize how effective they is only for preschool- and elementary-aged can be by taking advantage of LifeWay’s children. Many people don’t realize what a training. In Alabama, teams from 72 of tremendous outreach it is for older kids and the 75 state associations came to the clinic adults, as well.” The statistical report shows conducted by the state VBS team. more than 100,000 decisions made, she said, were “not decisions made by children.” VBS statistics are more reliable than ever as local churches, associations and state Not all churches reported age categories conventions report numbers online through in their individual VBS programs, but the Southern Baptist Directory Service the ones that included age groups in their (SBDS). The secure Web site, available at reports revealed a total of 66,558 adults http://sbds.lifeway.com, was developed to and 118,964 youth participated in VBS in assist the SBC in collecting various types of 2004. statistical and leadership information. ■ July/August 2005 19 Technology collegiate ministry Web-savvy college ministries connect with students By Brooklyn Noel niversity of Texas student Ashley who need a Web solution to effectively Cook checks the mailbox outside impact today’s students,” said Gary her Austin off-campus dormitory McClure, marketing manager for LifeWay’s Ufive days a week. The third-year student is, e-business department. “They asked for however, a “compulsive e-mail checker” who a no-hassle service that is easily managed sifts through the contents of her three e-mail by several people, therefore becoming accounts as many as four times each day. graduation proof.” She also spends time online chatting with Daniel said the CollegeMinistryLINK friends, researching, completing school service the BSM now uses is easy enough for projects and just browsing the Internet. It him to personally update the material on the is perhaps no surprise that Cook originally Web site. became involved in the Baptist Student “I don’t have to know HTML or Photo by Kent Harville Kent by Photo Ministry at the University of Texas in Austin FrontPage to change the content,” he said. after visiting the organization’s Web page. “Before, I was dependent upon a student Increasingly, ministry leaders are finding who was Web-savvy to make the changes. that reaching college students with The simplicity is its strength.” information about college ministry news An effective BSM site will help current and events means venturing into cyberspace college students and high school students with interactive and up-to-date Web sites. who are researching college options LifeWay’s CollegeMinistryLINK service is understand exactly what the ministry a custom edition of LifeWayLINK, a Web has to offer, Daniel said. “I felt like it site tool designed to help ministries with was important to have a Web site that their Web sites. The new college edition of communicates who we are.” the service features templates and designs Connecting through cyberspace specifically geared toward churches and Helping students plug into a community campus organizations that minister to is one of the main goals David Anglin has college students. for the Web site he now maintains through For several years, University of Texas CollegeMinistryLINK. BSM Director Jimmy Daniel tried to offer Anglin is the college pastor at Longview an informative Web site for the student Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, organization he leads, but consistency Miss. Olive Branch isn’t a college town, proved a problem. As the technology- but several schools are in proximity and his minded students who maintained the Web college program averages about 50 students site graduated, it routinely fell into outdated each week. disarray. “I want [the Web site] to be a place people The dilemma wasn’t unique to that can frequent that becomes a ministry university. arm of our church and provides a sense “The idea for a custom version of of community,” he said. “Community LifeWayLINK was born out of feedback provides accountability, encouragement and from campus directors and student pastors challenge.” ■ For more information on CollegeMinistryLINK, visit www.lifewaylink.com/college 20 Facts & Trends LifeWay LifeWay Stores manager of the Christian Stores year looks for ‘divine moments’ By Sara Horn aughter fills the back room of Photo by Kent Harville the LifeWay Christian Store in Paducah, Ky. The coworkers – all Lwomen this particular morning – catch up from the weekend before beginning a devotional to start their day. “We laugh a lot here,” said store manager Stephanie Hodges with a big smile. The group reflects the character of the town they live in: cozy, family-oriented, big- hearted. They finish their devotional with earnest prayer for God to bring “divine moments,” those ministry opportunities only He can arrange. Hodges, a member of First Baptist Paducah store manager Church in Paducah, started working at the The joy of relationships Stephanie Hodges, right, Paducah LifeWay Store when it opened “Stephanie and her staff are well known visits with customers in 2000, shortly after she graduated from in our area as being people who are Cindy and Amanda Murray State University with a degree in willing to help,” said Jim Bryant, director Wells, standing, and business management. Her hope was to of missions for the West Union Baptist Crystal Carr, seated. manage the store one day – an opportunity Association. Hodges considers all that came her way in October of 2003. of her customers close “Day to day, we’re just staying ministry friends. This year she was selected as store focused,” said Hodges, standing at the cash manager of the year for the 124-store register greeting customers and ringing up chain. At 28, she’s the youngest person merchandise. Hodges said she’s grateful for to receive the award since its inception the recognition, but admitted her surprise 11 years ago. Specific criteria must at receiving LifeWay’s highest honor for be met to even be considered: overall store managers. “I’m blessed to have such high performances for the store in all a great crew – I couldn’t do it without my operational areas, high scores for customer staff.” service and for store visits. LifeWay’s regional directors make the final selection She points to two customers seated in from a group of finalists. a couple of chairs bent over a Bible. An elderly Greek man came into the store “Stephanie is truly excited about what hoping to find some Scripture to comfort she does every day,” said Bob Fuller, his wife on the one-year anniversary of their Hodges’ regional director. “Her passion daughter’s death. A pastor who happened for ministry and for LifeWay Christian to be in the store offered to help him. Stores is infectious and her staff follows her lead. “She always puts the emphasis Hodges smiles her big, warm smile and on relationships with both churches and offers a reason for why she loves what she customers. People know it’s a place where does. someone is going to care about them and “Now there’s a divine moment. We get to what their needs are.” see them every day.” ■ July/August 2005 21 A mother - daughter shopping trip can prove to be more of a challenge than a joy as clothing companies continue to market provocative clothing to young girls. Fighting the “everybody is doing it” mentality can be hard. 22 Facts & Trends Photo by Kent Harville Young Women’s ministry Teen girl’s survival guide hits real issues, real life

ave sex! Get more stuff! Drink! Statistics confirm the fallout of America’s Smoke! Look hot! promiscuous culture, Courtney said. Messages like these from Citing statistics that say nearly 40 percent popularH teen magazines invade the minds of all teen girls will become pregnant at of young girls each day. Promoting least once before the age of 20, and 33 promiscuity, materialism and other ungodly percent of all babies born today are born behavior, these messages saturate the pages to unwed mothers, Courtney said it’s time of teen tabloids. But best-selling Broadman for change. In addition, she cited that one & Holman author Vicki Courtney offers a in four sexually active teens has a sexually Christ-centered alternative, “TeenVirtue,” transmitted disease. that details how to navigate life’s most Pointing to Scripture to help remedy difficult issues. the problem of “Being a girl in today’s culture is hard,” promiscuity, Courtney Courtney wrote in the introduction of the quoted Jeremiah publication termed a “maga-book” for its 6:16: “Stand by the magazine-like presentation. “Everywhere roadways and look. you turn, messages are telling you to be Ask about the ancient thin, pretty, sexy, assertive, self-confident paths: Which is the and do whatever it takes to make guys way to what is good? drool.” Then take it and find Courtney said she noticed a decline of rest for yourselves.” values and modesty starting with the Sexual “Girls today are Revolution of the late 1960s and early lacking rest in their 1970s. “Over the years, the lines of morality souls and longing for have been blurred and what was once new direction,” she considered unacceptable is now considered said. “We know the personal choice,” said Courtney in a recent ‘good way’ and we interview. “Our girls have been bombarded must be committed by the ‘girl power’ movement. There are no to showing them. We rules when it comes to dress, and sex outside can no longer remain of marriage is considered the norm.” silent.” Courtney said the “Britney era” that And Courtney is not silent about many followed certainly didn’t help. “Britney of the contemporary issues plaguing young [Spears] and other pop divas made bare girls in “TeenVirtue.” It addresses the top midriffs the norm and the styles offered in 40 issues young girls face today like learning department stores reflected the times,” she how to dress modestly, combating eating said. “Before long, many of our church girls disorders, standing up to peer pressure joined in, thus conforming to the culture.” and living a pure life. The magazine layout continued on page 24 July/August 2005 23 Young Women’s ministry

continued from page 23 includes short, easy-to-read articles and teen to dating.” quizzes that all point to biblical answers. Courtney included features on the “Truth “But unlike the average fashion magazine about Prince Charming” and “How to ... this guide emphasizes virtue over vogue,” Survive a Heartbreaking Breakup.” Courtney wrote. Courtney also encouraged parents to be Guiding girls to Scripture and lessons open with their teens about serious matters. from the Bible, Courtney said “Teen “Don’t wait for them to come to you,” she Virtue” was written to be a survival guide said. “We are called to be their moms first for girls. and then their friends. Take advantage of “Believe it or not, God cares about teachable moments. If you are drawing a girl politics, boy problems, breakups, boundary, explain the ‘why’ behind it. embarrassing moms, roller-coaster “Some issues are serious enough that they emotions, broken hearts and much more,” merit some isolated time and attention,” Courtney wrote. “He never intended for she said. “Consider taking your daughter you to go at it alone in the world.” on a get-away weekend for the purpose of Each chapter talks about issues important discussing the more serious matters. Be sure We recommend to teens, like beauty tips and dating. to mix some fun activities into the weekend • “Teen Virtue” “You’ve probably heard your mom say that to break up the serious talks. Some of the • “Virtuous Reality” ‘beauty comes from the inside’ and thought articles in “TeenVirtue” would stimulate great conversation such as ‘The Big 5 Lies • “Your Girl: Raising ‘yeah, right mom, tell the guys that,’” About Sex,’ ‘Caution: Loser Alert,’ ‘Dressed a Godly Daughter Courtney wrote. “Well, believe it or not, to Lure or be Pure?’ and ‘Top 10 Rules to in an Ungodly your mom is right.” Staying Inline when You’re Online.’” World” Courtney explained that showing Even if they don’t use it on a get-away • “Yada Yada: A compassion, having a servant’s heart, and weekend, moms can read about a particular Devotional Journal living out one’s faith in Christ display true topic and become acquainted with the for Moms” beauty. situations their daughters currently are “A girl who loves Jesus more than life • “More than Just facing or could be facing in the future, she can’t help but shine from the inside out,” Talk: A Journal for added. Girls” Courtney wrote. “She will brighten every “It is my prayer that ‘TeenVirtue’ will • “The Virtuous room she enters, and her glow for Christ will be contagious.” expose our girls to God’s perspective on the Woman: Shattering top issues they are facing and lead them to Offering advice about guys, Courtney the Superwomen make choices that are pleasing to God,” she discussed four types of dating to avoid: Myth” said. It’s time for a new and better women’s dating for fun, dating by emotion, joined- These and other movement!” resources by Vicki at-the-hip dating and “mission field” A former agnostic and feminist, Courtney Courtney are available dating. received Christ in college. Now she commits through customer “When it comes to dating, girls should go her life to Virtuous Reality Ministries, an service at www.lifeway. before God in prayer well in advance of the com and (800) 458- online magazine for middle school and ‘going out’ stage and ask Him for wisdom 2772 and from LifeWay high school girls, college women and adult needed to come up with a set of standards Christian Stores at www. women. Courtney lives in Austin, Texas, for dating,” Courtney wrote. “If you lifewaystores.com and with her husband and three children. ■ (800) 233-1123. don’t have a standard, you will most likely embrace the world’s standard when it comes 24 Facts & Trends Two great choices for adult Bible study! 2 MasterWork LifeSource Essential Messages From God’s Servants Video-Enhanced Bible Study

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To order call 1.800.458.2772, visit us online at www.lifeway.com/shopping, or use the Dated Resources Order Form provided to your church. Women’s ministry God doesn’t look for women with time on their hands by Brooklyn Noel od has the right to interrupt “I think there’s a lot of potential in the your life. [Rapid City] area,” said LeeAnn Den Otter, “I suggest that you let Him if who attended Women Reaching Women youG want to live a life of purpose,” Martha and Living Proof Live with two of her Lawley said. “God wants us to set our nursing co-workers. “Seeing 3,000 women clocks on Kingdom time.” at Living Proof Live was really encouraging Lawley, a LifeWay ministry multiplier and showed that [women’s ministry] really from Worland, Wyo., and Karen Finke, a could happen here.” We recommend ministry multiplier from Independence, Most of the women attending the Mo., led about 60 women in learning conference came from small churches, • “Women Reaching how to start a women’s ministry in their but Finke assured the women that small Women: Beginning churches during an April Women Reaching churches have something to offer women. and Building a Women training event at Westside Baptist Finke said “a lot of prayer” is the most Growing Women’s Church in Rapid City, S.D. LifeWay important part of starting a women’s Enrichment ministry multipliers are representatives ministry. She taught an entire breakout Ministry” from state conventions, local associations session on “Prayer: Foundation of Women’s — English and and local churches who are trained and Ministry.” Spanish versions, experienced in particular ministries and lead compiled by Chris As the weekend progressed, participants events for LifeWay. Adams grew more determined in their goal to Busy wives, mothers and career women kick-start a women’s ministry at their own • “Transformed often avoid becoming involved in women’s churches. Lives: Taking ministry because they think they don’t have Women’s Ministry “We’re hungry for the Word,” said the spare time, Lawley said. But that isn’t a to the Next Level” Diana Bricker, city coordinator for this viable excuse. compiled by Chris and the Living Proof Live events. “We’re Adams As Finke and Lawley taught the women hungry to come together from different about women’s ministry and how to begin denominations and walks of life.” • “Resource Guide them in their own churches, Finke said she for Women’s After all the planning and preparation watched the “lights going on” for several Ministry, Revised that went into the weekend she catered conference participants. and Updated” by and helped organize, Bricker said she Linda McGinn “There’s always a segment going ‘I get it,’” would consider the weekend a success if Waterman she said, adding that usually at least one conference participants left with simply a These and other person receives much-needed confirmation desire to start women’s ministries. women’s ministry for her ministry from the conference. “I hope that women here will want to resources are available Most of the women at the conference also serve women and others,” Bricker said. ■ through customer service attended Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live For more information about future Women at www.lifeway.com and event in Rapid City in mid-March. Living (800) 458-2772 Reaching Women training events, visit Proof Live helped ignite a desire to pursue and from LifeWay www.lifeway.com and look under the Christian Stores at other opportunities in women’s ministry Events tab. www.lifewaystores.com training, organizers said. and (800) 233-1123. Among the remaining 2005 Women Reaching Women events are ones following Living Proof Live in Indianapolis; Hershey, Pa.; Raleigh, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn., and Kansas City, Mo. 26 Facts & Trends Children’s 5 child-friendly sermon tips ministry By Tommy Sanders Photo by Kent Harville Kent by Photo

hildren are concrete thinkers who their desire to hear well-told stories. Practice sit in a worship service filled with stories in order to enhance attention. figurative words. They fidget and 3. Consider a child’s view. makeC faces. So why should we be concerned Evaluate your facial expressions and tone about including children in the worship of voice from a child’s view. A child once service? said about a pastor’s presentation style, If we wait until children understand “Why is the preacher always so mad?” everything that we say or do in worship, Think of the child’s perception of God when we lose the opportunity to lay foundations addressing sensitive stories or content. Overly for faith. Worshiping with the community dramatized stories may scare children. of faith is essential for Christian growth. We recommend 4. Make the first Lord’s Supper special. Including boys and girls in worship is vital to • “When I Go their understanding of Christian disciplines. If your church is small enough for you to Church: An Making sermons child-friendly doesn’t personally to serve the Lord’s Supper to each Introduction to mean wearing a clown suit or pulling member, encourage children who have not Congregational surprises out of a paper bag. Try including accepted Christ to come forward. Instead of Worship for some of these ideas and create a child-friendly offering the elements whisper a simple prayer Preschoolers” by worship serivce in your church. in the child’s ear. Invite children who have Kay Henry been baptized recently to join you on the 1. Address children in worship. • “Children front row. Personally serve the elements to Worship” by Speak directly to children and include children who are participating in their first Maryjane Pierce references to them in prayer and in the Lord’s Supper. sermon. Find opportunities to reinforce Norton 5. Encourage parents. biblical truths that children encountered in These and other resources are available Sunday school. Avoid using children as a way Creating a worship service where children feel included enhances the experience for through customer service to be “cute” in front of the congregation. This at www.lifeway.com all in attendance and sends an important can mistakenly communicate insincerity. and (800) 458-2772 message to parents. When you value 2. Include stories children can relate to. and from LifeWay children, you also value families. Children Christian Stores at Real life stories that demonstrate tangible are not the church of the future. They are the www.lifewaystores.com examples are very effective with children church of today. ■ and (800) 233-1123. (and adults). Consider telling narrative Bible Tommy Sanders is the the minister of passages as stories. Children are not alone in childhood education at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. July/August 2005 27 Ski retreat can help teens avoid life’s slippery slopes by James Lee Yates

he ski slopes proved hard on the opportunities to ski the slopes near Santa kids from Lakeside Baptist Church Fe, N.M. in Canton, Texas. The skiers “It’s a good blend of recreational Tweathered bruised knees, runaway skis, entertainment with spiritual discipleship collisions with trees, altitude sickness and and growth,” said Hal Hill of LifeWay’s plenty of wipeouts. conference center area. “We provide an But the tumbles didn’t ruin their fun. opportunity for youth and leaders to enjoy “It’s a blast,” Ashley Yarbrough, 15, said. God’s creation by skiing, paired with “You just laugh and get up and go again. It’s an excellent program led by nationally all good.” recognized personalities.” The Lakeside group was among nearly Ski opportunities were framed by 300 youth who attended the SkiXplosion morning and evening worship services. retreat last winter, hosted by LifeWay Speaker David Platt of New Orleans Baptist Glorieta Conference Center. The three-day Theological Seminary spoke on the theme annual event provides worship, teaching and “Created for a Purpose.” Nashville musician Ski Xplosion Youth ministry

Jeff Slaughter led the group in music, “It’s good to get the kids out in nature,” and theater professor Owen Robertson said Joshua Gibson, youth pastor of First challenged the youth with caricatures and Baptist Church in Lefors, Texas. “It’s good skits. for the soul, and it makes them more open “They teach in a fun way,” said Sabrina to what the Lord has to say.” Periman, 17, of Southside Baptist Church Hailing from Texas’ Gulf Coast, some in Granbury, Texas. “It doesn’t get boring, students felt stirred by the massive and you really get into it. They also play mountains. fast music like you hear on the radio, “I’m in awe of God’s creations,” said and then they slow it down too. It’s really Sambo Hutchinson, 22, from First Baptist good.” Church in Rockport, Texas. “On the drive At SkiXplosion, youth partnered winter here, I watched the terrain change from fun with deeper thoughts. coastal areas to empty deserts to dairy “I learned that we really need to be set fields to lush greenery and snow-capped apart and be holy,” said Jenny Foster, 13, of mountains. It makes me thank God I’m Lakeside Baptist Church. “We need to set alive because I can take in everything He’s an example for those outside the Christian created.” faith. And we need to show them that Students and leaders alike benefited from having faith doesn’t mean we can’t have SkiXplosion, both indoors and out. fun.” “I’ve got a whole new awareness,” said SkiXplosion offered opportunities for Chris Melton, youth leader at First Baptist youth to bond both on and off the slopes. in Rockport. “I enjoyed the wonders of In addition to skiing, Glorieta’s Chuck God’s creation while learning of His love. Wagon Café hosted nightly gatherings That’s something I’ll take with me.” ■ with music, comedy and open-mic antics. Youth also enjoyed Glorieta’s paintball Why not a winter retreat? fields, high-ropes course, climbing wall Think summer is the best time for youth camps and retreats? and video arcade. Several church groups Name a summer event that lets youth navigate snowboards from also organized small-group devotionals and 12,000 feet down freshly snow-blanketed slopes. prayer times. Hit the powdery white slopes of Ski Santa Fe each day, then study “Our group has been closer this week the unchangeable truths of God’s Word each night. Ski Xplosion than we ever have been,” said Curtis Evans, leaves teenagers with memories that will last for years and changed 17, part of the group from New Life hearts that will last for eternity. Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas. “We’ve Ski Santa Fe is known as one of the best winter recreation known each other for years, but we mostly locations anywhere. With altitudes reaching well over 12,000 feet just play Xbox®. Here, we stay up every and endless slopes for the skiing beginner to the most advanced night just talking to each other. We’ve never veteran, Ski Santa Fe will leave your youth group pumped for done that before.” months to come. Visit the Web site at www.skisantafe.com. The natural beauty of New Mexico’s Reservations are being accepted for the 2005-2006 events Sangre de Cristo Mountains and wide-open planned for Dec. 27-30, Dec. 29-Jan. 1, March 14-17 and March spaces helped prepare youth for spiritual 19-22. Call (800) 797-4222 or visit lifeway.com/skixplosion. lessons. July/August 2005 29 LifeWay news Harland named new director of LifeWay Worship Music Group ike Harland has been named Not Forget,” a tribute to the 9/11 tragedy, director of the LifeWay “Hearts of Worship, Songs of Praise” and the Worship Music Group. He 2005 Christmas musical drama, “Jesus Our Mbegan May 16. Treasure.” Before joining LifeWay, Harland served “God didn’t call me to lead music. God as associate pastor for music at First Baptist called me to lead people,” Harland said. Church, Carrollton, Texas, for three years. “The only way to do that is to connect with He graduated from New Orleans Baptist people. Music is one of the main languages Theological Seminary with a master of God gave me to communicate with, but it church music degree. is not what I care most about. I care most An accomplished writer, Harland has about seeing people impacted with the truth published more than 150 songs and produced of God’s Word and His love for them. This numerous choral musical projects. Artists area is one of the strengths God gave me to Steve Amerson, Chris Machen, Luke Garrett use for His glory.” and The Imperials have recorded Harland’s The LifeWay Worship Music Group songs. His best known songs include “Bow offers products and events through six the Knee,” “The Glory of God,” and “Run to imprints: Genevox, Church Street Music, the Cross.” He has produced several musicals Church Street Press, Children’s Music Series, for LifeWay including “America, We Must Dovetail Music and Made for Praise. ■ Henry new director of network partnerships ill Henry has been named director us. One sign of organizational health is when of LifeWay’s network partnerships new leaders can be promoted from within the area, replacing Bill Taylor who organization to fill key positions. With Bill, retiredB July 1. we have the privilege of promoting a leader Henry has been at LifeWay since 1984. who knows the work fully and who can move For the last three years he has been quickly to build on the strong foundation managing director of network partnerships, laid. No time will lost; no energy wasted.” working directly with Taylor. Before that, he Henry said one area of work in network was director of LifeWay’s national collegiate partnerships that particularly excites him ministry. Before coming to LifeWay, Henry is the The Smaller Membership Church was associate director of the department Growth Plan. “This new strategy addresses of student work for the Tennessee Baptist the question of how to help smaller churches Convention. grow,” Henry said. “With 70 percent of SBC Network partnerships is the LifeWay churches having 100 or fewer members, and component that has responsibility for having stayed that size for the past five years, developing strategic partnerships with that’s a big question. We’re working with state Baptist associations and state Baptist a group of directors of missions and state conventions to serve churches. convention partners now to form a stronger John Kramp, vice president of LifeWay’s relationship with these churches and help church resources division, said, “Since 2002, them grow. The results so far have been very Bill Henry has been fully engaged in all encouraging and we expect even more impact ■ 30 Facts & Trends aspects of the work that he will now lead for in the future.” “I just received my issue of LeaderLife. It is good stuff! I really appreciate your work. The magazine looks great and is extremely beneﬁ cial. God bless you!” Kevin Hamm, Pastor, Valley View Church, Louisville, Kentucky

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And he “to make you True refreshment is found is tired of the attack on chuckle a little and think in God’s comforting Boy Scouts by those a lot.” embrace and His promise who would like to see to renew our wings as it assimilated into the “Dr. Swan’s Prescriptions politically correct culture for Parent-itis” addresses 32 Facts & Trends the “condition that results all the glamour that went century begins, and asks upon history. But these from the job of being with it. However, the what Christianity offers to admirers have one thing a loving, caring parent: pursuit of this life was the women’s debate. Jones in common. 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devotions. A CD-ROM the 2006 January Bible “Patriarchs Leader contains promotional Study will spark new life Kit” includes 11 DVD helps, worship helps, into your church. Using sessions that are essential a sermon from SBC the challenges Nehemiah to the study, plus promo President Bobby faced in rebuilding the to God’s remarkable and bonus segments; pursuit of relationship Welch and a printable walls of Jerusalem, the one copy of the music administrative guide. study will lead adults to and to the unfolding of CD that accompanies His earthly plan: that “Member Book” Order know God better—His the study; one “Member ways, His law and His through one nation – and Book” and one “Leader one handbook for each ultimately, one man – all adult member. Church character—so that when Guide,” LifeWay church they face life’s difficult people on earth will be resources #0-6331-9763- resources product #1- blessed. Many of the most 4158-2586-6, $3.95 tests, they will be able to 7, $199.95 respond. This study is profound and enduring Patriarchs Audio and “Leader Kit” Includes concepts in the whole one CD-ROM with an easy to follow, yet deep Listening CDs are also in content. It features counsel of God’s Word are available. administrative guide, as initiated in this marvelous well as worship, sermon interactive learning ■ book of beginnings. “A 40 Day and promotional helps; exercises to challenge Experience: The Choice, one DVD; and one participants to apply the Life’s Most Important “Member Book.” Church Bible to their lives. Decision” resources product #1- The “Adult Learner The latest resource in 4158-2585-8, $59.95 Guide” can be used this series explores “DVD” within a Bible study the double Includes seven setting or in individual significance 10-minute preparation. Four sessions. of our choice video segments All resources are available to follow for the now. 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July/August 2005 35 Resources just released from LifeWay

join God in His work. It Líder” (leader guide)” focuses on the application LifeWay church resources of the Kingdom #1-4158-2118-6, $39.99 Principles, as set forth in “Strength for ■ “The Five Love “Experiencing God,” and the Journey” looks at Languages for Singles” how these principles apply depression from a biblical by Gary Chapman to collegiate life issues. point of view, offering “The Five Love Leaders will find an easy- advice and wisdom about to-use teaching plan for Languages for Singles” Baptist, Jesus’ birth and the causes of depression. each session, along with delivers advice specifically childhood, Jesus’ baptism, Co-authored by a plenty of reproducible clip for single adults, whether Jesus’ temptation, Jesus licensed psychologist and art for promotional use. they are widowed, at the Cana wedding, a marriage and family Seven sessions, Thirty-five divorced or never married. Nicodemus, Samaritan counselor, this in-depth, Bible studies. Releases in These proven principles woman, Jesus’ calling of small-group study offers August. Church resources of communicating and the disciples, Jesus heals a teachers, counselors product #1-4158-2868-7, receiving unconditional paralytic, Sermon on the and other concerned $12.95 love apply to all kinds of Mount, Parables about the individuals insight into relationships. “Member Kingdom and Jesus calms the symptoms of and Book” includes discussion two storms. Releases in possible treatment for guide to help facilitators August. Church resources depression. Nine sessions. lead small-group sessions. product #1-4158-2275-1, Available now. LifeWay Eight sessions, with an $149.95 church resources #1-4158- optional bonus session for 2292-1, $13.95 single parents. “Fuel 2.1 Small Group Leader Set” CD-ROMs ■ “Con ritmo Available only y razón” now. Church resources #1- This resource allows “TeamKid: leaders to divide the Rhyme ‘n’ 4158-2487-8, $11.95 students into small groups Reason for further interaction. – Spanish ■ “Fuel: ■ “Bible Skills, Drills, Igniting New It includes the three & Thrills, Red Cycle” Edition” CD-ROMs found in Life with All resources in this line This fun the main resource with Bible club lets God’s Story release in July. – 2.1” teacher preparation and preschoolers teaching resources. Order “Bible Skills, Drills, & discover their DVD and CD- Thrills Activity Book” ROM Leader Set one for each small group uniqueness in God and leader. Releases in August. Order one for each child. recognize that He gave This youth resource Church resources product Grades 1–3, Red Cycle, us rules because He loves contains everything #1-4158-2608-0, $9.95 Church resources product us so much. Thirty-six needed for each session, #1-4158-2212-3, $5.95; ■ “Experiencing God: sessions. Available now. including two DVDs Grades 4–6, Red Cycle, Collegiate Edition” containing dramas, Church resources product “El manual para el by Richard Blackaby and montages or music videos #1-4158-2213-1, $5.95 preescolar, 3 años–K” Henry Blackaby and three CD-ROMs (learner guide 3s–K), The popular collegiate “Bible Skills, Drills, & LifeWay church resources that provide teaching edition of “Experiencing Thrills Leader Guide” #1-4158-2119-4, $5.29 plans, resources, outlines Grades 1–3, Red Cycle, God,” this newly and handouts to keep it Church resources product “El manual para el redesigned interactive cost-efficient. Volume 2.1 #1-4158-2223-9, $49.95; 36 Facts & Trends topics include John the study invites students to

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