Illinois Baptist: What do you think compelled the Executive Director Search Committee to select you to lead Illinois Baptists?

Nate Adams: When I was first contacted about the possibility I remember thinking, “Oh, I’d really like to see them get the right person, though it’s probably not me.”  I agreed to the paperwork and a phone interview mainly to give some input to the process.  Many of our family and friends are in Illinois, and I really just wanted to contribute some ideas about how Illinois Baptists might move forward – for the sake of the Kingdom, and also for the good of the churches and people that I love there. 

What I found from the very beginning was a very Spirit-led, prayer-bathed process with some very sincere people.  I was so encouraged by the search committee’s approach, and I feel our hearts began connecting in a way that I attribute to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  So while I don’t want to discount important factors like character, experience, skills, etc. – I believe what “compelled” the committee’s recommendation was primarily a genuine sense of the Lord’s leadership.  We all just wanted whatever He wanted.  And as He made that clearer and clearer through the interview process, it gradually became more exhilarating and fun and certain. 

Some of the more tangible factors probably include my being from Illinois, my management experience in Christian organizations like Christianity Today and the North American Mission Board, my church planting and pastoral experience, and some of the gifts for strategic leadership and communication that the Lord has given me.  But there were a lot of very qualified people being interviewed, so I have to believe that ultimately it was a spiritual decision by prayerful people. 

IB: Did you experience any turning point in the interview process for you or the Executive Director Search Committee?

NA: Yes.  The first was at the close of the first phone interview with the search committee.  I felt I was probably having the only conversation I would have with the committee, and having given them my input, I was closing by saying it would be a privilege to partner with them whether from the North American Mission Board or at IBSA, because there are so many lost people in Illinois.  As I spoke about how many people in Illinois need Christ, I found myself choking back tears.  It took me by surprise, probably the committee too, but I think that was a significant moment when I began to see that God was showing me His heart for Illinois. 

A second, more gradual turning point came as I honored the committee’s request to pray over a map of Illinois that they mailed me.  Those times of prayer, along with four different passages of Scripture, turned my heart with greater and greater certainty toward the Illinois mission field.  Then as I wrestled with the final decision there was one night when I woke up in the middle of the night, and could tell Beth was awake too.  (At least she was after I asked her if she was awake…) I told her, “I think we’re supposed to go to Illinois.”  She said, “OK.”  And then I had the best night’s sleep I’d had in weeks. 

IB: What ministerial mentors have shaped your career?

NA: In ministry I’d say I’ve had more “models” than “mentors,” partly because of the time and intentionality that mentoring usually requires.  Certainly my Dad and Mom have been great models, as well as my grandfather who was a devoted and active Baptist layman.  Joe and DeWanna Oliver taught me a lot about ministry in the six years I served with them at First Baptist, St. Charles.  Christianity Today is a wonderful Christian organization, and executives there like Roy Coffman, Keith Stonehocker, Paul Robbins and Harold Myra invested a lot in me over 17 years.  Tim Beougher, who is now at Southern Seminary, taught me a lot while we were helping start a new church in the Chicago suburbs.  And in the past 8 years at the North American Mission Board I’ve had the privilege of knowing and observing many pastors and denominational leaders.  From a distance, Rick Warren and Billy Graham have influenced me a lot.  So I guess I’ve been molded by a variety of people over the years.

IB: What leadership skills do you bring to IBSA?

NA: I think it’s sometimes hard to see your own leadership skills objectively except perhaps as they’re reflected in the character and accomplishments of those you’re leading.  If I were to look in the mirror of those I’ve served through leadership over the years, I think they would reveal that I seek to model hard work, to listen for the best ideas and build consensus, and to motivate toward higher standards and creative solutions.  I try to cultivate trust and credibility through openness and integrity, believing that people perform at their best when they are free to give their passion and gifts to a worthy mission, and to do so with people they respect and even love. 

The leadership skills I have – whatever they may be – were primarily formed at a leading Christian publisher and at Southern Baptists’ newest national agency.  The former taught me more about leading tasks and strategies when there are more clear, measurable objectives.  The latter taught me more about leading people when there may be multiple, even competing or conflicting objectives.  I hope IBSA may benefit from the blend of those backgrounds. 

IB: What interests you in returning to your home state of Illinois?

NA: Of course answering God’s call is my primary interest.  Being closer to many of our family members is also a blessing.  And as I reflect on my childhood in Southern Illinois, my adolescence and early adulthood in Northern Illinois, and now an opportunity to live in central Illinois, I can’t help but see God’s lifelong preparation and that’s exciting. 

I’m also eager to see what the Lord may be ready to do through the new governance model that has been established at IBSA, and through the spirit of optimism and unity that I have sensed among Illinois Baptists.  People keep using the word “poised” to describe IBSA.  Just the opportunity to serve churches and people who are “poised” interests me a lot. 

IB: What is your state convention experience?

NA: Until I came to the North American Mission Board eight years ago, my primary experience with state conventions was with IBSA.  Besides my lifelong acquaintance with IBSA through my dad’s various roles, I also participated with my youth group in WOW Weeks and Youth Encounters, served on an IBSA committee or two, and then as a church planter in the Chicago suburbs I related to IBSA’s church planting staff.  I also provided some circulation consulting for the Illinois Baptist newspaper staff when I was at Christianity Today.

My role at NAMB has required that I meet and work with a variety of state convention staff, including executive directors, state directors of missions and Evangelism, Mobilization and Missions Education staff, and state WMU staff.  Over the past 3-4 years especially my work with “The Acts 1:8 Challenge” has led me to work with state conventions on defining what “Judea missions” means for the local church.  I’ve also had the privilege of visiting several state convention offices, and enjoy many good friendships and partnerships there. 

IB: What is your experience in supervising multiple staff?

NA: At Christianity Today I supervised between 30 and 40 people in 4 departments, and at the North American Mission Board I supervised between 80 and 100 people in 5 to 8 departments. 

IB: Do you have any plans to make changes in staffing decisions?

NA: I don’t have any preconceived plans about staffing.  I need to invest some time getting to know people and understanding roles and looking strategically at the future.  Any staffing decisions need to flow from that.

IB: What would you consider your passions to be?

NA: I think my passions and strengths are summarized pretty well in the life mission statement I wrote several years ago:  “To know and love God, lead others in serving Him, and creatively communicate Biblical truth.”  These are the things I find it easy to really lean into and give my life to.  In the context of that umbrella statement I would say I’m pretty passionate about my family.  And I have a passion for the local church, and to see it healthy and effective and relevant.  I also have a passion for personal excellence – for “doing well” – I love it when you give something your best and it turns out just right.  And I also have a passion for creativity and fun.  A chapter in one of my books was titled, “Finding the Fun in What Needs to be Done.”  I do have “hobbies” like sports and travel and writing – but I wouldn’t put those in the category of “passion.” 

IB: What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure as IBSA’s Executive Director?

NA: IBSA exists to serve churches and associations of churches in fulfilling their Great Commission purpose.  So accomplishment should be measured in terms of the success and effectiveness of local churches, both in their local church fields and in their missional cooperation with one another. 

I would love to look back some day and see measurable accomplishment in terms of

-    Stronger, healthier churches that are developing mature disciples of Jesus Christ among multiple people groups, age groups, etc.

-    Many, perhaps twice as many, new churches reaching new people with relevant, evangelistic ministries

-    Churches that have “turned inside out” and are active missionally in their own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth

-    Effective pastors, church leaders and missionaries

-    An unprecedented level of strategic cooperation and mutual support among the churches in Illinois, and among the associations of churches in Illinois

-    Generous Cooperative Program and other missions giving that truly prioritizes God’s Kingdom

-    A true penetration by the Gospel and our churches’ ministries into the multiple cultures and people groups of Illinois, from rural to urban, Hispanic to Asian, touching education and government and business, bridging generations, etc. – so that Christian faith and worldview regains a redemptive influence within our culture.

Ephesians 5:10 is a brief but powerful verse that simply says, “…and find out what pleases the Lord.”  We want to focus on what pleases the Lord in our context and seek to give that to Him as an act of worship through our work together.  Many of the things we want to see happen in the days ahead can only be accomplished by God, and honestly, in this new position, I think the first thing I need to “accomplish” is a more complete dependence on God.   I don’t want to settle for the kinds of accomplishments that any one person or group of persons can achieve. 

IB: What is the greatest opportunity you see ahead for Illinois Baptists?

NA: I have been very encouraged by the unity and enthusiasm and “ready to go” spirit I have consistently found in the people of Illinois, from the search committee to the staff to the IBSA board to directors of missions and pastors.  I think that spirit of openness and optimism may give us our greatest opportunities for ministry impact on our state in the days ahead. 

In Illinois I believe we have an opportunity to help redefine what it means to be Southern Baptist for a new generation of believers, and to do so in a mission field that is in many ways a microcosm of the entire nation.  As a state convention we are established, yet not entrenched and diverse, yet not divided.  The recently redesigned governance and structure should enable us to be nimble and flexible in our strategies, and to try some new things that a smaller convention or even a larger convention would find more difficult.  We have almost 100 years of wonderful history and faithfulness on which to build.  But I think it’s this flexibility and openness toward the future that is our greatest opportunity.

For Hale, it is a continuation of the previous year’s theme. “The 2006 Evangelism Celebration will continue to focus Illinois Baptists on witnessing, winning and baptizing.  In 2005, there were 206 Illinois congregations that doubled their baptisms as the accepted the challenge of ‘Twice More … Than Before,’” said Hale.

This year’s celebration will be held on two dates at two locations.  The first Evangelism Celebration will take place on March 13 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, which is located at 650 North Wyckles Road in Decatur.

The second celebration will take place on March 14 at Bethel Southern Baptist Church on 7775 Collinsville Road in Troy.

The celebration will begin at 6:45 p.m. at both locations.

Illinois Baptists will have an opportunity meet and speak with IBSA’s newly appointed executive director, Nate Adams, both evenings at ice cream social fellowships immediately following the close of the sessions.

Vocalist Wayne Watson will perform at both celebrations.  Watson has recorded 18 albums, with his most recent, Signatures, released in 2004.  He is the recipient of numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards including one for Male Vocalist of the Year and has had 15 number one singles.

Bobby Boyles will speak at the celebration in Decatur.  Boyles is senior pastor of Stable Rock Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Okla. and founder and president of Wingspread Ministries.  He has written five books including the national bestsellers, “Everyday Victory for Everyday People” and “Willing to Die.”

Dr. Voddie Bauchman is the featured speaker at the Troy celebration.  Bauchman is an author, Bible teacher, apologist and an elder at Grace Community Church, Magnolia, Texas.  In addition, he serves as an adjunct professor at Union University, Jackson, Tenn. and The College of Biblical Studies, Houston, Texas.  Bauchman is the author of two books and has written for several academic journals and magazines.

Through the Evangelism Celebrations Hale says, “We will continue with the challenge of Dr. Bobby Welch, SBC president, as he encourages and inspires Southern Baptists to win and baptize one million souls in 2006.”

Above all Hale hopes, “Our speakers and musicians will help inspire Illinois Baptists to keep the main thing, the main thing.”

The men may be drug dealers or addicts, alcoholics, street thugs or just homeless guys down on their luck.   What they all have in common is a strong desire to find a better way of living.

And if the men -- black, white, Hispanic or any race -- have families, their wives and children are equally welcomed into the Set Free Memorial Drive Ministries and Sanctuary Shelter, the inner-city church and homeless facility Robbins has pastored and directed for the past six years. 

Supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Robbins and wife Anna are among the over 5,200 Southern Baptist North American missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories.  Robbins is one of eight Southern Baptist missionaries to be highlighted as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 5-12, 2006.   The 2006 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $56 million, 100 percent of which is used for missionaries like the Robbins.

The sixth child in a family of nine, Robbins grew up in a strong Christian home in Illinois, where his dad was a Baptist deacon and where church was the center of their lives.   As a student at Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Ill., he not only felt God calling him into the ministry, but also into home missions.   He married Anna in 1978, the same year the couple moved to Atlanta, where he attended Morehouse School of Religion.   Ironically, a native of Decatur, Ill., today he and Anna – parents of three daughters – oversee Set Free Ministries in the east Atlanta suburb of Decatur, Ga.

Set Free has three distinct ministries: a shelter for homeless families; a ministry to rehabilitate those with substance addictions; and a community outreach ministry -- including a food pantry, serving some 1,500 hot meals a week, along with a clothing operation.

Set Free Sanctuary Shelter is the only homeless shelter in the metro Atlanta area that refuses to split up families, who can stay up to three months.  To date, the largest family to ever live at the shelter included eight members.   Families are provided with hot meals, clean beds, day care for children, counseling, medical assistance, clothing, drug/alcohol addiction treatment, job training and job search support.   They also get a strong dose of the Gospel.

“It’s All About Jesus” – that’s Reggie’s motto – as this short, soft-spoken, humble missionary likes to be called.  In fact, as he preaches to his 5 p.m. Sunday congregation at the shelter, he suddenly spins around to show off the motto on the back of his black T-shirt.

“First, we want to keep families together,” Robbins said, “for the sake of the children and for the health of the marriage.  Most shelters will immediately split up mom and dad, with smaller children going with mom to one shelter while Dad is hauled off to another.  If there’s a teenage son, he’ll be sent along with his dad to the men’s shelter. 

“Next, we want to present Christ to the whole family.”

The impact of homelessness on children and teenagers is both touching and difficult, according to Robbins.

“I remember a family with a six-year-old boy.   When we showed the little boy where his room would be, he yelled, ‘look mom … look dad … a bed.’  You see, they had been sleeping in a car for two weeks.”

Homelessness is tough on teenagers as well, because of the potential embarrassment.  The shame and stigma of being in a shelter would be devastating if the other kids at school found out.

Robbins said homelessness also damages the father’s self-esteem, and he cringes when he hears people say, “Well, if people would just try hard enough to find a job, then they wouldn’t be homeless.”

“True enough, there are the lazy that fit that category but at the same time, the vast majority of the homeless are victims of circumstance.  For instance, the economy is not very good right now.  Often, we’ll have families who have come to Atlanta from another city or state because the father has been promised a job.  And they get here, and the employer tells them the job is no longer available. 

“Then they exist by moving from motel to motel and when the money runs out, they and their whole family will sleep in their car.   And when there’s no more gas money or when they have to sell the car, they start looking for housing in a shelter,” Robbins said.

“The homeless come from all walks of life,” he says.  “Right now, we have an M.D. – a medical doctor – who was his own best customer.  He got strung out on drugs, lost his medical license, and his wife left him.”

If Robbins has a prized “graduate” from Set Free Memorial Drive Ministries, it’s big Marcus Linner, a 6’ 2” bull of a man who – after Robbins led him to Christ five years ago – traded in his gangster lifestyle on the streets of Atlanta, ill-gotten thousands of dollars from dope-dealing, illegal drugs and guns for a Bible and a life in Christ.  He and wife Pam are now NAMB Mission Service Corps missionaries.

“About three weeks after his wife, Pam, gave her life to Christ at one of our services, big, tough Marcus – with tears streaming down his cheeks – came forward and professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.”  Robbins baptized Marcus in the East Lake YMCA swimming pool up the street from Set Free.  

Soon, Marcus began waking up at 5 a.m. each morning to read and study a chapter or two of the Bible.  And today, Marcus is the youth pastor at Set Free Ministries.  He also teaches the men’s Bible study and takes turns preaching at worship services with Robbins.  He uses “rap” and “hip-hop” to share Jesus with kids and teens at the shelter.

Marcus constantly asks God why He chose him to become a member of “Jesus’ gang.”  

“I ask Him why He called me to preach the Word,” Marcus says.  “God, why did You choose me after all the things I did?   I remember being in gun battles and not getting hit.   I once had 10 guys shooting at me.  All I ever got was a hole in my shirt.  The bullets just seemed to bounce away.  Now, I don’t have to carry pistols any more.  I don’t have to look behind my back all the time.  I can just teach, love people and do all the things that God really called me to do.

“It’s just really amazing – God’s forgiveness, His mercy.  I shouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.  I probably shouldn’t even be alive.  I probably wouldn’t be if not for Reggie and Set Free Ministries,” Marcus said.

Reggie Robbins has a simple credo for all the Marcus Linners – and there have been many – who wander off the streets and into Set Free Memorial Drive Ministries and Sanctuary Shelter.

“I tell them that once they cross the threshold into this place of ministry, ‘I no longer look at you like you are or like you were, but I look at you with the aspirations and hopes that you will become what God intends for you to be’,” Robbins says.  “Some come in here and at first – like Marcus – look real rough, real hopeless situations.  But I try to give everyone the opportunity, the benefit of the doubt.  I try to look at them the way God sees them.

 “And when they’ve come through our system and go out working again, adding to society, and at the same time, they’re trusting in God and God is still developing their lives … those are the times I just want to shout!”

While the state has a Defense of Marriage Act declaring marriage to be between one man and one woman on its books, courts have declared similar acts unconstitutional in other states.  According to the organization’s Web site, “In theory, an amendment to the constitution cannot be declared unconstitutional.”

Efforts have been made to pass a marriage amendment through the Illinois General Assembly, but have been blocked by House Speaker Michael Madigan (Chicago).  Representative David Reis (Olney) has been the amendment’s sponsor.

Because of the speaker’s actions, “Our only choice is to take it to the people,” says David Smith the project director for Protect Marriage Illinois. 

The organization’s goal is to collect 500,000 petition signatures by April 20.  The law requires the number of signatures be equal to eight percent of the total turnout in the last general election. The last general election was held in 2004 and based on that year’s voting numbers, 283,111 signatures are needed.  Protect Marriage Illinois hopes to obtain 500,000 signatures to provide a cushion if any signatures are ruled invalid.

According to Smith, more churches are still need to participate.  “We have about 100,000 signatures and there are only 10 weeks left,” he said. 

“My goal is to get 3,000 Bible believing churches to particpate.  If they could average 200 signatures each, we could meet our goal.  The potential is there.”

All petitions must be returned to Protect Marriage Illinois by April 20.  The organization will deliver the petitions to the Board of Elections in all 102 Illinois counties by the state’s May 8 deadline.

For more information go to http://www.protectmarriageillinois.org/ or call (877) 787-8011 or (630) 790-9044.

She surveyed the room with her darting, penetrating eyes, and my heart leapt when they locked in on mine.  I sat up a little straighter, swallowed hard, clutched my homework and waited for what she would say next.

But she didn’t say anything.  Instead, she pointed a boney index finger straight at me, then turned it over and curled it toward herself, motioning me to come to her.  When I arrived trembling at her desk she presented me with a perfectly penned note. It simply read, “I have no voice but yours today.” 

For the rest of that terrifying and terrific day I traveled with Miss Elkins from class to class, teaching her lesson plan, following her notes and non-verbal instructions, and doing my best to help my peers learn 8^th grade English.  She had arranged for me to be excused from math, history and all my other classes.  All I had to do was follow her, and serve her and be used by her. 

As I begin my service to Illinois Baptists this month I feel thirteen, maybe fourteen, again.  From my anonymous seat as a learner, and with whatever homework and preparation I have in hand, I have been excused from other assignments and somewhat unexpectedly called into service as your executive director.  I humbly ask for your prayers and your patience as I step to the front of a class for a while and do my best.

More than once since that 8^th grade experience I’ve wished for an opportunity to thank Miss Elkins again for that terrifying, terrific day.  It was her preparation, and planning, and patience that paved he way for me to do what I could.  Because she did I discovered that I love to teach, and communicate, and lead. 

Likewise let me begin my service to Illinois Baptists by saying “thank you” to some important people who have paved the way for me to do what I can, and for our next chapter together as Illinois Baptists.  First, thank you to Associate Executive Directors Weedman, Dawson, Dickerson, Hale, Shelby and Toller, and to the IBSA staff and board.  IBSA has thrived under your interim leadership.  Thank you also to Chairman Jim Rahtjen and the Executive Director Search Committee who have worked so tirelessly to discover God’s leadership. 

And thank you to B.F. Rodman (1907-1926), J.M. Pepper (1926-1929), E.W. Reeder (1929-1946), Noel M. Taylor (1946-1965), James H. Smith (1967-1979), Ernest Mosely (1980-1987), Maurice L. Swinford (1988-1993), M. Eugene Wilson (1993-1995), Robert E. Wiley (1996-2001) and Wendell C. Lang (2003-2005).  I’ve had the privilege of meeting six of these previous ten executive directors, and I’m grateful for their investment in Illinois Baptists’ first century, even as I begin to focus on our second century.

Finally, thanks to the other guy named Adams who has written so many words of wisdom in these pages for so many years, and to his partner in ministry – thanks Dad and Mom.  I love the people and churches of Illinois in large part because you do.  My prayer is that God will give my generation a great harvest in the field where you have planted. 

Now if you’ll open your books with me, we’ll get started …

Nate Adams

Miller is intrigued with jazz, its “freedom” and “lack of resolution.” Actually, the improvisational freedom of jazz operates within boundaries and gives way to clear resolution. Besides, I think Blue Like Jazz is more nearly blue-like in the following ways:

1. Blue like Blue States.  Most are familiar with the map of America showing the breakdown between Bush and Kerry voters, the former in red, the latter in blue. Though he asserts that Jesus didn’t mix spirituality with politics, Miller repeatedly hammers the Republicans, calling them “wackos” and such. If there is any doubt about his politics, visit his Web site, which provides approving links to moveon.org and aclu.org. He’s Ted Kennedy with a soul patch [tuft of hair under his lower lip].

2. Blue like Blue-Light Special. Used to be, when K-Mart wanted to stir some purchasing excitement, they turned on a rotating blue light to draw shoppers to a hot item. Miller is a marketing specialist too. During liberal Reed College’s annual debauchery week, he set up a confessional booth, where he astonished and disarmed students by confessing Christianity’s sins, such as the Crusades. In an interview found on the Web, he says you mustn’t find fault with others, just with yourself; otherwise, they won’t listen. [Note to the Apostle Peter: “Go easy on ‘Repent ye, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.” It may have worked at Pentecost, but today you’ll only turn the lost off.]

3. Blue like Blue Blood. The expression “blue blood” comes from the days when rich people had very white skin, through which their veins appeared blue. This was in contrast with the skin of the peasants, which was tanned because they worked in the fields. Miller is proud that he has distanced himself from unsophisticated people such as would hand out tracts at the country fair, picket an abortion clinic, knock on doors with the two evangelistic questions (“Have you come to the place in your life … ?), man the flip charts in backyard Bible clubs and sing “There’s Power in the Blood” at the top of their lungs at a city-wide crusade.

4. Blue like Berry Blue JELL-O. He demeans politics and then pickets President Bush. He is impatient with war metaphors in the Bible, and then he wars against political and biblical conservatives. He condemns judgmentalism, but then praises John the Baptist for calling the Pharisees “snakes.” He’s bigger on feelings than reason, and it’s anybody’s guess where those will take him. He’s indifferent to the homosexual agenda and abortion but zealous for tithing. Go figure. He’s everywhere. He’s nowhere. Like nailing JELL-O to the wall. 

5. Blue like Blue Oyster Cult. Miller prefers the company of pot-smoking hippies (yes, he found some) to that of conventional church-going folks. Back when the rock band Blue Oyster Cult (famously spoofed on Saturday Night Live – “More cowbell!”) was getting started, you would have found Miller wearing Cong sandals, driving a flower-painted VW van, and wearing muttonchop sideburns. And though he presumes to speak for the current g..g..generation (apologies to The Who), there’s a Jane Fonda feel to him. Back then, as now, the media loved this style, but a lot of us weren’t so impressed.

6. Blue like Black and Blue. Unfortunately, Miller had a disappearing, beer-swigging lout for a dad. He, in “Wild at Heart” context, has found and displays his “father wound.” A little bit of this can go a long way, but there’s no denying its popularity. Still, I think we do much better when we pick up on the perspective of Peggy Noonan, commenting on the movie, “Blackhawk Down”: She recalled the wounded soldier who, when asked to drive out of an ambush, exclaimed, “I’ve been shot!” His leader responded, “We’ve all been shot! Get in and drive.” Yes, we’ve all been shot. Let’s not dwell on it and use it to validate whatever we’re up to.

7. Blue like Working Blue. Comedians know that the cheap way to a laugh is to say something raw. Miller is proud to announce that he and his buddies yell profanities at each other when they play NFL Blitz. Elsewhere, he finds those who put down cussing quaint. This sort of thing is fetching to some.

8. Blue like Pabst Blue Ribbon. At book’s end, he thanks establishments for their good coffee and beer. Very cool -- and helpful for impressionable young Christians seeking to find their way. Beer will be a real plus in their lives.

9. Blue like Blue Ice. Now and then airplanes from the Coast will accidentally dump a slug of frozen, waste, blue ice on flyover country. As Miller flies over the work of theologians and ethicists who have struggled to defend the faith (whether, the inerrancy of Scripture or the sanctity of life in the womb), he dumps dismissal on them, calling their formulations “math” or “reason,” while the true faith is gloriously “absurd.”  “Heads up,” James Dobson (whom he vilifies by name elsewhere), Carl Henry, etc.

10. Blue like Blue Screen. Weathermen work in front of a blue screen, gesturing in the general direction of something without its really being there. I get that impression when he talks about slamming Christianity for the sake of outreach. I think he’s just basically enjoying himself. It would be more impressive if, after discovering that wearing white patent leather shoes and playing the accordion at the Rotary Club won many to the Lord, Miller tried it. Or maybe he could set up a confessional booth at the Republican National Convention and confess his sin of cooperation with political cohorts who favor partial birth abortion. Now that would be impressive evangelism.

Our generation has struggled to defend inerrancy against the incursions of academic “higher criticism,” “demythologizing,” “neo-orthodoxy” and the like. We’ve also fought (yes, “fought,” as in “fight the good fight,” wearing the “armor of God”) to restore biblical perspectives on sexuality and the family in a culture that has lost its bearings on these matters. Alas, orthodoxy and orthopraxy are not inherited, but must be embraced, exemplified and defended in each generation.

I’ve wondered from where the next dangerous attack on inerrancy would come. The best I can tell, it won’t be from Rudolph Bultmann, Harry Emerson Fosdick and John Cobb this time, but from some “emerging church” guru saying, “Lighten up.”

Sitting there silently, I internalized my agitation. My wife, however, began to graciously engage the couple in conversation as she picked at the tiny blonde bundle of annoyance.

In a few moments we learned some amazing facts about this family. The couple’s daughter had died about a month earlier after a lingering debilitating illness. Now they had the care and upbringing of her children. On top of all of this, the grandfather had some disturbing physical symptoms, which might be cancer. He was there to see the surgeon.

Suddenly my perspective on the events in that waiting room had a complete reversal. I thought of the overwhelming wound of grief borne by this couple. I could not even imagine the awesome responsibility of two people in their sixties rearing six young children. Now their anxiety was intensified by the possibility of the man’s serious illness.

I think everyone in that room wanted to embrace the couple and weep with them and for them. No longer were we upset over their lack of handling of the little boy. We wanted to pray for God’s grace and strength to be theirs. The little fellow was no longer a terror to be tolerated, but a lovable lad filled with potential that we wanted to hug.

Many years ago, one of my seminary professors said, “Men, be kind to everyone you meet because everyone is bearing a burden.” Occasionally I forget his admonition, but I’ve certainly lived long enough to know its validity.

Not everyone has a burden the magnitude of this couple. Not everyone has a burden that is obvious. But everyone has a burden of some sort. Indeed we would be startled to know the load some folks carry. It’s enough to make us think about the attitude we exhibit to others.

Pastor Yugo Kobari moved to Chicagoland about ten years ago. His search for a church for the Japanese community was futile; so he started one in his home. The first service saw five in attendance.

That five has grown to fifty. They presently meet in rented space shared with a Korean congregation in Schaumburg; however, Pastor Kobari’s vision for reaching Japanese Americans for Christ is coming closer to reality as a CJMC member has donated a prime piece of land directly across from an epicenter of Japanese shopping activity in Arlington Heights. The Japanese population is estimated by Kobari to be 10,000 and growing in the northwest suburbs. The members of Kobari’s church hope to minister to much of that population through a new place of worship and expanded ministries

Kobari states that this work is unique in its outreach and its target population. “We would never have been able to establish this church without the generous help of Illinois Baptists through the Impact Illinois State Missions Offering. Thank you, Illinois Baptists!”

By the way, I recently heard an encouraging report from another Southern Baptist work that reaches out to Romanians in the Des Plaines area. Another Southern Baptist church is making plans to plant a new church for Polish Americans in Chicago. Still another Southern Baptist church is sponsoring a new cowboy congregation in central Illinois. And the list goes on … 

What a great God we serve! Indeed, He is at work among Illinois Baptists. Is this a great state or what?