NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–“Remember to keep it simple,” Southern Baptist Convention President Paige Patterson urged Sept. 14 in the first of five challenges he outlined to trustees and employees of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Speaking at the opening session of the semi-annual trustee meeting, Patterson, also president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C., said LifeWay ministries should be focused on “getting the lost to Christ, teaching the biblical revelation and helping people to think” in more Christ-like ways.
In another area, he urged, “continue to avoid with determined diligence what has befallen most Christian publishers — a publishing philosophy dictated by popularity or sales.”
Third, Patterson said, “Keep coming out with good books on basic Baptist doctrines. Be aware that publishing popular spirituality and popular psychology will short-change our people.”
Fourth, he suggested, “Help us develop a generation of recognized authors by publishing our young scholars and advertising them.”
Finally, Patterson called on LifeWay to maintain a healthy balance through a dual emphasis on reaching people for Christ and then helping them grow by providing biblical resources.
“Let’s do both,” he urged.
“Through LifeWay, you have tremendous opportunities for shaping the minds of the next generation,” Patterson said.
