Your voice: Stay alert for the poison ivy in our lives

By Shirley Crowder
BMBA WMU Managing Director

With summer approaching, it’s time to start looking out for poison ivy. A few years ago, a friend said she had a red spot on her cheek that looked like a bruise. Two days later, she called and said that although her eyes were so swollen she could barely see, she was seeing red spots on her face and arms.

On the way to the doctor

I picked her up and took her to the doctor. I suspected it was ivy or oak. On the way to the doctor she told me she had been weeding her yard. I asked her if she knew what poison ivy looked like – she didn’t. The doctor confirmed it was poison ivy.

I took her out into the yard to the side of the house that she hadn’t weeded yet and took a photo and showed her the poison ivy. She said what a pretty shade of green it was.

We learn to recognize poison ivy by its three leaves. Our skin reacts to the poison ivy oil because it perceives it as an intruder, thus causing the allergic outbreak.

I heard a radio host compare poison ivy to sin. He talked about how beautiful and tempting sin can look to us when we are tempted, but how quickly the beauty fades when we give in to temptation and choose sin. Our own desires lead us to choose sin. (James 1:14-15)

We must be careful to be on the lookout for things that seem good or harmless but are poisonous when touched.

Through prayer and knowledge of the Bible, we can prepare ourselves to recognize sinful temptations.

Fortunately, the Bible tells us how to resist temptation and choose to glorify God rather than sin. We are to flee, run away, and submit ourselves to God. (James 4:7 and 2 Tim. 2:22)

Letters to the editor

A resolution on artificial insemination adopted by messengers at the SBC’s recent annual meeting in Indianapolis complains that unused embryos are “frozen, stored, destroyed and frequently subjected to medical experimentation.”

The resolution reaffirmed “the value and right to life of every human being.”

But the resolution does not end there. It further calls on Southern Baptists to “use only those reproductive technologies that are consistent with this declaration.”

Brent Leatherwood, chairman of the Commission on Ethics and Religious Freedom, said clearly: “We are against the general practice of artificial insemination.”

Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary and author of the resolution, is known for his opposition to artificial insemination.

The resolutions are in no way binding on local churches or individual Baptists.

Resolutions, however, send a signal. And that signal is not welcomed by many faithful followers of Jesus, including many Baptists who are firmly pro-life.

Despite the complexity of the discussion, the value of IVF for infertile couples should not be ignored or downplayed.

Even though the solution did not represent a blanket rejection of IVF, it was still a step too far and not a good solution.

Travis Collins
FBC Huntsville

The full text of the resolution can be found at tbponline.org.

“To the simple question of whether the implementation of the GCR Task Force has reversed the decline in baptisms in the SBC, the answer is a clear and emphatic no. However, there are certainly more than enough culprits for this ongoing downward trend,” noted the Task Force Chairman. Jay AdkinsPastor of First Baptist Church Westwego, Louisiana.

“God tells me we are here to facilitate the work of the Southern Baptists … to manage and minimize the administrative processes,” said Jeff IorgPresident/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. “We want to do our work quietly and efficiently so that we can get on with the real task of winning more and more people for Jesus Christ.”

“I believe that when people move away from God, they discover an emptiness in their hearts, and we (as Christians) are the ones who can point them to the truth,” said Beard Barberformer president of the SBC. “It’s a huge task, but the more God blesses us, the more work we have to do.”

To read a full report from the SBC Annual Meeting, visit thebaptistpaper.org/SBC2024.

The Great Commission cannot be divided and assigned to our bodies. While the efforts of our bodies are vital, it is up to every disciple of Christ to proclaim the gospel, said WMU national executive director Sandy Wisdom-Martin“We cannot abdicate that responsibility. We have parishioners who marry in the church and are buried in the church and live their whole lives without sharing their faith once,” she noted. “That is the greatest tragedy of our generation, that we do not take personal responsibility for the sacred task that has been entrusted to each of us. It really does not matter what strategy we implement if we do not change the culture of our faith community. That has to be the foundation.”

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As we reflect on the recent SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis, we can highlight the good news that came out of the meeting, said Rick LanceExecutive Director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. A few comments:

1. Clear mission focus

Those in attendance witnessed the sending or commissioning of 83 new IMB missionaries. Our Lord continues to call people and send them on missions to places where, for security reasons, we cannot identify the missionary or the place by name. The North American Mission Board brought updates on church planting efforts in the United States and Canada. These church planters represent those who are ready to answer God’s call to do something new in Christ’s name.

2. Excellent leadership

Jeff Iorg, the newly elected President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, set the tone for the future by transparently informing ambassadors about the current situation of the EC.

His outstanding leadership comes at just the right time for this strategic committee. He is the right man to lead the Southern Baptists.

Bart Barber led this year’s meeting with a calm and steady hand. Even in the few moments of tension and confusion, Bart was in control. His humility and dignity were evident throughout all sessions.

3. Alabama Connections

A group of your Alabama State Missionaries were in the exhibit hall to meet other Alabama Baptists face to face, and I thank God for them. I have never been so proud to serve alongside such dedicated people.

Our new SBC president has ties to Baptists in Alabama. From 2004 to 2010, Clint Pressley served at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile. During his tenure, he led that church superbly. I really enjoyed getting to know him when he was in Alabama. In 2010, he returned to his home church, Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has been serving the Lord there ever since.

4. Our missionary heartbeat

Southern Baptists are people who always want to stay true to the Bible, even in complicated issues. The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 represents a consensus of our biblical beliefs. This creed has served us well over the years and I believe it will continue to do so in the future.

Our heart beats for a “clear mission focus.” We are by far the largest mission-sending denomination in the world. This mission is advanced through our donations through the Cooperative Program and approved special donations. Next year we will celebrate the centenary of the CP. This is an important reason for us to celebrate.

5. Who makes the difference

Are there moments of conflict and confusion? Absolutely! The last few years have certainly shown that. We are not a perfect people, but just “clay in the potter’s hand”. I actually believe that the hand of God is upon us.

Let us not forget to celebrate what God is doing among us. Let us also rejoice that God has used us even when we were not at our best. As a Southern Baptist and an Alabama Baptist, I am so glad that we can join together to make a difference for Christ in today’s world.

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I had the opportunity to serve as organist at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile under Clint Pressley when he was pastor there.

He was enthusiastic about the Savior, the church, the surrounding town and the people. Clint is personable, very biblical and only wants to do what God tells him.

Clint is single-minded…and will work wholeheartedly for causes he knows God is leading, but he will oppose anything he believes contradicts the Bible, regardless of who pressures him to do so. He will serve the SBC churches well.

Iris Lundy Anderson
mobile phone, cell phone

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I am grateful to be part of the diverse SBC family. We pray. We study. We send missionaries. We share the gospel. We make disciples. We are far from perfect in our pursuits, but today I am thankful that despite our weaknesses, God continues to use us to build His Kingdom. May we grow in unity. May we remember that mission is most important.

Jennifer Foster
Montgomery

State Board of Missions plans to withdraw from X

Effective July 1, all Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, will be deleted.

“Our exit is due to X’s announced, formalized policy regarding pornography,” said Rick Lance, CEO of SBOM.

“Starting July 1, we will begin deleting accounts such as the SBOM corporate account and the accounts of various SBOM offices.”

Lance noted that his own X account will also be deleted.

Incompatible values

X recently advised its users: “You may share consensually created and distributed nudity or adult sexual conduct, provided it is properly labeled and not conspicuously depicted. … Adult content includes any consensually created and distributed material that depicts nudity or adult sexual conduct that is pornographic or intended to cause sexual arousal.”

Lance explained that the new policy was incompatible with the SBOM’s values ​​of faithfulness to the Bible and spreading the Gospel of Christ, which calls for repentance of sins.

In addition, Lance and his fellow missionaries in the state adhere to a statement of faith called Baptist Faith & Message 2000, which states that Christians should reject “all forms of sexual immorality,” including pornography.

“As the SBOM, along with other ministries and individuals, have declared their intention to leave X, we hope that X will significantly change its policies regarding adult content,” Lance said.

“If such a change occurs before July 1, the SBOM could well remain in place. … To date, X has been a place for often serious conversations about important issues.” (The Alabama Baptist)