I am here today for the FBC State Board of Missions meeting. Our focus has been to spend time at the South Florida Urban Impact Center in Hialeah. The following description of this ministry is quoted from the Florida Baptist Convention website:
The center assists urban associations and churches in developing and implementing Kingdom impact churches by identifying urban issues and needs.
Three South Florida counties—Miami, Broward and Palm Lake—comprise one of the most challenging missions fields in the United States with a estimated population of 10 million persons—a figure that includes undocumented persons—who represented more than 175 nationalities and speak in dozens of languages.
To strengthen existing congregations to more effectively start new churches and evangelize their unique communities, the Urban Impact Center was established in South Florida as a branch office of the Florida Baptist Convention.
From this center, Convention staff coordinates training and resources, including a specific coaching process to assist pastors and congregations in developing a Kingdom-impacting ministry.
Under the direction of Southern Baptist missionary Al Fernandez, the center is thriving and facing the challenges of diversity and multiculturalism with boldness for Christ. There is much we can learn from this ministry as we move forth with Ministry Village. To find out more about the excellent Kingdom work being done in Miami, check out www.baptistcourier.com/3146.article.
I have been reading Francis Chan’s Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. In this he writes with passion about living life with urgency for Christ. Join me Sunday morning as I bring a message about the danger of casual lukewarm religion. We will also celebrate with our graduating high school seniors in the 11:00am service.
Pastor Ted Traylor
On August 27, 2008, two minors filed a complaint against the Santa Rosa School Board, the superintendent and the principal of Pace High School. The parties were presented and signed a Consent Decree and Order. Section 5 (g) reads, ”If School Officials select persons to make an address during or in conjunction with School Event, they shall do so by a selection process that is neutral to religion and in compliance with a written policy. (h) To the extent that School Officials permit a person during or in conjunction with School Events to give an address that a School Official can or does shape, review, or edit for content, substance, message, style or theme, then the School Officials shall instruct the person that the person’s address must exclude prayer.”
Last week the school board decided on the basis of that order to prohibit the SGA president and class president of any Santa Rosa school to speak at the 2009 graduation exercises. They did not tell them not to pray – they told them they could not speak. They were selected and elected by their peers, but the board has overruled the students and silenced them before the event. The superintendent says the policy was made to avoid known litigation. The litigation is not known and would have no basis unless the students prayed. The consent order is overreaching but is in place. The board agreed to the overreaching order and it now goes beyond even that. I would appeal to them to have some faith in the students and give them their one time graduation opportunity at the podium.
Tonight at 7:00 pm a Students Rights Rally will be held at Pace Assembly. I encourage you to attend.
Pastor Ted Traylor
On a hot night in May of 1972 I walked into the Pisgah High School gym for graduation. I remember a few things about it. Our names were called and we moved the tassels. There was music from some of the students. I was asked to offer the invocation. The valedictorian and salutatorian gave speeches along with the class president. We hugged people and said we would stay in touch. A few of us did. Those were great days.
As graduation approaches in Santa Rosa County this year, the landscape has changed. As of Thursday, reports are that the school board has said the SGA president and class president will not be able to speak, while the top two grade point students will be asked to do this. Tradition is being broken. Why? What does someone think one of these students will say that will be offensive? Oh, I know. They may speak of their faith or use the name of Jesus in an honoring way.
Those who say they stand for the liberty in the ACLU seem to be quiet on this issue. What of the liberty and rights of those elected by their peers? Someone will always ask, “If the class president was a Muslim, how would you feel about it?” If the students elected that individual, then give that student the mic. These are young leaders and need to step up. The issue at Pace High School is not the principal but rather it is the principle of the freedom of speech and religion.
Graduation at Pace High is Saturday, May 30. The Patriots are in jeopardy of losing liberty.
Pastor Ted Traylor
Good morning from Jackson, Mississippi. I am here today for the North American Mission Board trustee meetings. Although it has been a busy few days, they have been filled watching followers of Christ who are committed to making a difference.
I had the honor of preaching Sunday night at Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham. This was a combined service with First Baptist Church, where my good friend and former Olive staff member Dr. Stan Lewis serves as pastor. This was a marvelous night of worship and encouragement. Monday morning I spoke for the Birmingham Baptist Associational meeting. After arriving in Jackson last night I attended a NAMB missions commissioning service at Morrison Heights Baptist Church. All three events have something in common: believers were committed to being on mission and making an impact for Christ.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Frank Lay for the message he brought Sunday night at Olive. If you were in attendance you heard a man who is standing strong for the truth, uncompromising in the midst of difficult times. If you were not able to attend I encourage you to download his message on the OBC website.
Make today count as you serve the King. Make an eternal difference.
Pastor Ted Traylor
A few days ago I watched the annual AP Correspondents Dinner. It is always fun to hear the President and others poke fun at each other. This year’s featured comedic speaker was Wanda Sykes. She had some good lines and has taken heat from some who thought she crossed the line with some of the jokes. I opened up the e-mail today to find a story on her. The headline read, “Wanda Sykes and Her Wife (Alex) Welcome Twins.” I guess that makes Wanda the husband. Seems she and Alex were united in a same-sex marriage ceremony in California. The story on the new family left out one rather important fact. These two women cannot naturally have children. A man, or at least a sperm from one, is requires for this addition. This is the world we now find ourselves living in today.
It seems same-sex marriage is gaining ground. This is a slippery slope we are traveling down. If two woman can marry, then why not three? Why would incest be a problem? Why can’t a teacher have sex with a fifteen year old student? If both are consenting then what is the problem? This whole issue comes down to moral law and what the standard is for law. If the thought is that we are not hurting anyone and it is our business, then some of the questions I asked will result in being just fine in days to come.
Isaiah said it this way in chapter 5 and verse 20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
It still takes a man and a woman to make a baby. And it also takes male and female to make a marriage. Wanda Sykes might tell some funny stories but this issue is no joke. And it is not something to laugh about.
Pastor Ted Traylor
We are a couple of weeks away from Memorial Day weekend. I have been preparing the message for Sunday, May 24. Olive is planning a patriotic service for the morning worship times.
In my reading I came across the a maxim that guides corps at the US Military Academy at West Point. Here is what it states:
“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”
RISK-CARE-DREAM-EXPECT. Those words should find a place to call home in each of us.
Pastor Ted Traylor
I spent most of Thursday driving to New Orleans and back. It was an annual trip to the seminary chapel to commission the summer missionaries going out from NOBTS. Robert Gilliland, Olive’s Minister of Education, drove the vehicle. He is in the last stages of his doctoral work at New Orleans and also heads our seminary extension on the Olive campus. Leah Taylor also made the trip. She had an appointment to visit with one of the professors regarding ministry. She also led the worship portion of the service and did a great job singing. Jeremy Lloyd, OBC’s Minister to Youth, is a NOBTS student in the extension program. He was also with us and played the guitar in the service. And it was a delight to me for Liz to make the trip. We all had a marvelous lunch at ACME Seafood with Dr. Charles Kelley, the seminary president. It is always a joy to be around students who are preparing for a vocation in ministry.
While theological education begins in Christian homes and our churches, the six Southern Baptist seminaries we support do a wonderful job of formally training our students. I am glad to see us walk in lock step with the seminaries and partner in building servant leaders for the church.
Don’t forget Sunday is Mother’s Day. Hope to see you at Olive.
Pastor Ted Traylor
A thunderstorm rolled through Pensacola right before the Sunday evening church service. Several of our deacons were outside as the clouds broke and they caught this beautiful picture. This is not some Photoshop deal-this is a real picture. God set a sign in the sky that He would never again destroy the earth with water (Genesis 9). Next time it will be by fire. He is Sovereign Lord.
Last night I preached at a tent revival for the 6th Street Baptist Church in Alexander City, Alabama. Thank you for praying for good weather. The event was held on the site where their new campus will be built. My good friend Dan Moran is serving as interim pastor and is doing a wonderful job leading the church. During the service the Holy Spirit changed hearts and the altar was full. After the service I had the chance to reconnect with long-time friends Skip and Tawana Lowery. I returned home this morning encouraged and refreshed.
Sunday morning’s message on the Living Water is still strong on my heart and mind. I want to encourage each of you to pray about the three things God is challenging me to do in the next forty days and ask the Lord to give you opportunities to do the same:
Enjoy today knowing that our God is faithful and true.
Pastor Ted Traylor
I am glad the local school systems did not cancel baseball and softball games this week. The swine flu problem caused some school closings in other states and Alabama canceled some track events on Thursday evening. I was able to catch a few local games this week. Several of our young people are involved, and after each game the players circled up for prayer. Amen!
Our preschool and children’s areas have been taking extra precautions this week in making sure the areas are clean and ready for Sunday activities. It is difficult to know what is panic and what is real concern over this issue. Be smart and take care of yourself. H1N1 is something we will be dealing with for a while.
This week the President of the SBC put forth the call for a resurgence of the Great Commission. It is a strong document. I signed it on line and you can find more information at www.greatcommissionresurgence.com. Take a look at the word Johnny Hunt has developed and challenged us with. It is our main business and we need to be about it.
Pastor Ted Traylor
