We Are Baptists: Studies For Youth - Book Review

Baptist History and Heritage, Wntr, 2000 by Jim Taulman

WE ARE BAPTISTS: STUDIES FOR YOUTH. By Jeffrey D. Jones and Debra L. Sutton, Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1999. 111 pages. WE ARE BAPTISTS: STUDIES FOR YOUNGER ELEMENTARY CHILDREN. By Jeffrey D Jones and Debra L. Sutton, Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2000. 87 pages.

How refreshing to find a publisher who is publishing materials that explain who Baptists are and what they believe. Judson Press is bucking the trend that says people are no longer interested in denominations. Instead, in two undated curriculum units--one for youth and one for younger children--they explain who Baptists are and why what they believe is important.

Both of the books use the same outline of 14 topics although the titles have been shaped to appeal to the particular age group: Soul Freedom, Believer's Baptism, The Bible, Priesthood of All Believers, Religious Liberty, Autonomy of the Local Church, Ministry of the Laity, Discipleship, Evangelism, Worship and Communion, Issues of Faith, Prophetic Role, Diversity, and Mission.

These books are written for the teacher and contain material for 45- to 60-minute-sessions. In an appendix, the books have handouts that are to be photocopied and distributed to students each week. The children's handout contains a note to the family that explains the doctrine studied that week and suggests what the family can do to help the child understand and practice the belief.

Each session has the following elements: "Bible Basis," "Objectives," "Key Bible Verse," "Background for the Leader," "Exploring the Biblical Basis," and "As You Prepare for This Lesson." The "Objectives" and "As You Prepare for This Lesson" are always adapted to the appropriate age group--as are the other elements when appropriate to fit the particular age group.

A section entitled "Ways to Use This Curriculum" suggests that it can be used in "Sunday School, a church-wide celebration of Baptist heritage, a weekly family night program or other special gatherings ..., a Baptist heritage retreat (p. vii). Other ways these can be used will come to mind.

The teaching methods of both books follows the same broad outline: Beginning, Exploring and Responding. The suggested teaching methods use interactive activities that involve the learner.

An Appendix contains handouts that can be photocopied and distributed to the learners. Ways to use these handouts are suggested in the teaching plans. Judson Press has taken a bold step in producing these Baptist history-related lessons. Additional books are planned for other age groups. One can only hope that pastors, ministers of education, and youth and children's workers will order and teach these lessons. We may well be in the midst of a generation that wants little to do with denominationalism. However, as in all cycles, the pendulum will swing back. Hopefully, these lessons will reflect a desire to understand and appreciate our rich Baptist heritage and equip a new generation of youth and children to know and understand why they are Baptists.--Reviewed by Jim Taulman, Assistant to the Executive Director-Treasurer, Southern Baptist Historical Society, Brentwood, Tennessee

RELATED ARTICLE: Society presidents.

A key to any organization is its leadership. Knowing who has served as society president tells something about the quality of the organization. The society is proud of those who have served as president of the organization. Presidents and years of service include:

William Owen Carver      1938-52
Richard N. Owen          1952-54
Bailey F. Davis           1954-58
Richard N. Owen          1958-68
Loulie L. Owens          1968-70
George Gaskins           1970-71
Spencer B. King Jr.      1971-72
E Wilbur HeImbold        1972-73
Rollin S. Armour         1973-74
R. A. McLemore           1974-75
Walter B. Shurden        1975-76
John S. Moore            1976-77
Stan B. Rushing          1977-78
H. Leon McBeth           1978-79
Paul D. Brewer           1979-80
W. Morgan Patterson      1980-81
David O. Moore           1981-82
J. Glen Clayton          1982-83
Robert G. Gardner        1983-84
John T. Woodard          1984-85
Flynn T. Harrell         1985-86
J. M. Gaskin             1986-87
Carolyn D. Blevins       1987-88
Lee N. Allen             1988-89
G. Thomas Halbrooks      1989-90
Adrian Lamkin            1990-91
E. Earl Joiner           1991-92
Fred Anderson            1992-93
Hargus Taylor            1993-94
Albert W. Wardin Jr.     1994-95
Rosalie Beck             1995-97
Alan Lefever             1997-99
Merrill M. Hawkins Jr.   1999-

This list of presidents includes pastors, professors, directors of state history programs, librarians, editors, past and future college and university presidents, and laypersons. All these presidents brought to their society leadership a high respect for the significance of Baptist heritage.

Early presidents served longer tenures; the first four served average terms of 7.5 years each. W. O. Carver, the society's founder, served the longest tenure of all: 14 years. All presidents from 1970 through 1995 served one year each.