Lists are popular ways of calling attention to important issues. So, as churches across Alabama prepare to observe Read The Alabama Baptist Day on Sunday, July 25, let us suggest 10 reasons why all Alabama Baptists need to read their state Baptist paper. Illustrations have been selected from June issues.
1. Every Alabama Baptist needs the inspiration furnished by the state Baptist paper each week. Some stories are about well-known individuals such as sportscaster Pat Summeral, whose life was almost destroyed by alcohol. But Summeral accepted Christ and joined a Baptist church at age 69, which turned his life around.
Some stories are about less well-known folks like Buford and Earline Brackin, whose faithfulness set an example that produced generations of Christian workers. And there was the story of Dusty McLemore, who has led Lindsay Lane Baptist Church in Athens from 32 members to more than 1,500. Reading the good news of how God works in the lives of people and through the lives of people encourages us. It lifts us up.
2. The Alabama Baptist provides resources for daily living. The number one concern of Alabama Baptists is the family, and the state Baptist paper regularly addresses family issues. Most recently, the paper lifted up the “precious job of grandparenting.” But practical helps go beyond family issues. During June practical helps were offered for issues ranging from healthy eating to identity theft. The paper also highlighted a series on using art talents in the church.
3. Reading The Alabama Baptist develops a wider missions vision. God’s kingdom is bigger than a local church community. It includes all of Alabama, all of this nation and all of the world. In June, The Alabama Baptist printed stories about how the gospel is penetrating the Muslim world. Special attention was also called to efforts in Nepal. In preparation for the September Olympics, readers were furnished information about the status of the gospel in Greece.
Of course, an ongoing feature of The Alabama Baptist is the “Missionaries Write” section, where each month letters from Alabama Baptist missionaries are printed.
4. The Alabama Baptist helps readers stay informed about moral and ethical issues in our state and nation. June articles examined the impact of the late President Ronald Reagan on Christian involvement in politics and on several social issues of concern to Christians. Other articles called attention to debate on Baptists and public schools, the display of the Ten Commandments, sexual abstinence before marriage and Christian involvement in opposing gambling.
Each moral and ethical issue is examined from a biblical perspective. Some stories are news stories that provide reliable information. Other stories are analytical. They draw conclusions and provide biblical principles to use in reaching personal decisions.
5. The Alabama Baptist points out the impact of world events on the Christian faith. Pakistan continues to enforce a blasphemy law that has taken the lives of Christians because they were falsely accused of saying unkind words about the Muslim prophet Mohammed. In India, a change of government resulted in the repeal of an anti-conversion law, much to the delight of Christians. In Sudan, the government continues to persecute Christians. In the United States, Christian groups lobby to influence policy toward Jerusalem and Israel.
6. The Alabama Baptist promotes financial support of Baptist work through the Cooperative Program and special offerings. What is the Cooperative Program? How does the Cooperative Program work? How is Cooperative Program money used? Such issues are addressed throughout the year in the state Baptist paper. Monthly reports about Cooperative Program giving are printed from the Alabama Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
In June, we reported that the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering surpassed its goal, resulting in the appointment of new missionaries. Stories like these appear regularly in the state Baptist paper.
In addition, The Alabama Baptist works in partnership with The Baptist Foundation of Alabama to promote planned giving that will benefit the Cooperative Program and other Baptist causes.
7. Regular reading of The Alabama Baptist reminds us of what it means to be a Baptist. An increasing number of church members do not have a Baptist background. Some who were reared in a Baptist church never learned who Baptists are, what Baptists believe or how Baptists do church.
Through news stories, feature articles and special emphases, the state Baptist paper calls attention to these topics. Most recently, we pointed out what it meant to be an Acts 1:8 church, reported about belief in heaven and hell and looked at the “God-sized” goals being held out for Baptists.
8. The Alabama Baptist is the primary source of news from the state and national conventions. In June, Southern Baptists gathered for their annual meeting. The Alabama Baptist was there to provide thorough reporting so readers would know what transpired.
Routinely the state Baptist paper reports such stories as 89 collegiate summer missionaries commissioned for service this year and an Alabama Baptist pastor being picked to head the North American Mission Board as chairman of that board of trustees.
Baptist conventions are made up of churches, and churches are the primary focus of news in The Alabama Baptist. “Across Alabama’s Associations,” a compilation of local church news, remains the most popular feature of the state Baptist paper.
9. Reading The Alabama Baptist helps one be a better church worker. The state Baptist paper partners with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions to provide readers with the latest helps available to them as Sunday School teachers, deacons, committee members and more. This eight-page feature is titled Focus on One Mission and is published every month.
Sunday School commentaries are printed weekly to assist with Bible study. A recent story reported new regulations for church buses and vans. A review of recent books and tapes is another monthly feature of the state Baptist paper.
The Alabama Baptist is like one-stop shopping. It is the one place readers can go to learn about every program Alabama Baptists provide.
10. There are numerous other benefits. Every week the paper provides an evangelism emphasis, so any reader can learn how to accept Christ as personal Savior. News about other denominations and faith groups is shared. Most Alabama Baptist entities use special sections of the paper to share their news and information. The list goes on and on.
There is not a better investment a church can make than providing the state Baptist paper for all its active resident families. That is one of the reasons the state convention asks all cooperating churches to participate in “Read The Alabama Baptist Day.”
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