Cotton and Family

In addition to love, several things tie my family, the Loftins, and Carolyn’s family, the Covington’s, together – Mississippi, the Christian faith, the Mississippi State Bulldogs and King Cotton.

Until recently I have not paid much attention to cotton or the role it has had in my life. I pray that these notes and my photograph (taken near my mother’s hometown of Thomasville, GA) will be threads that better connect our family with our heritage, and bind us closer to each other.

Picking cotton by hand in the South was a very hot, tiring and laborious task. The sack was approximately twelve feet long for an adult male. A good picker could pick 350 pounds a day, four to five sacks full (www.cottonginmuseum.org/Museum). The first attempt to develop a mechanical cotton picker was in 1850. The first horse-drawn cotton picker was used in 1905. Mechanical cotton picking began to be practical in 1943, but the use of the machines did not begin to spread until the 1950s.

When Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1794, American farmers began to notice that cotton plants produce far more seeds than fiber. With each 100 pounds of fiber, the cotton plant produces approximately 155 pounds of cottonseed. The first cottonseed mill of any commercial importance was built in 1834 in Natchez, MS. The number of cottonseed mills in the U.S. rose to a peak of about 900 just prior to World War I. Since that time there has been a steady consolidation. At the present time there are less than 30 mills in operation (National Cottonseed Products Association).

Jack L. Loftin and Cotton
Jack Layfette Loftin (1920-2008) grew up on farm in south Mississippi that grew cotton among other crops. This was a farm, not a plantation. There were no slaves, just fourteen children. As one of the youngest, daddy didn’t have to endure as much cotton picking as his elders, but he had vivid memories. He loved to tell me about how big and heavy the cotton sacks were, how hot it was, and how scratched up he would get. I think these tales were meant to inspire me to work hard and never complain.

Today the Loftin family still has a connection to cotton. Collier and Bea Lovelace Tillman still grow cotton on their land around Slaughter, MS. Due to the generous estate planning of H.E. Covington and others, proceeds from the cottonseed business helped Ashley, Jonathan and Memes in countless ways, including education.

John E. Covington and Cotton
John Ellis Covington (1927-2008) spent a major portion of his life in the family business, Mississippi Cottonseed Products Company. Cottonseed crusher G. W. Covington bought the Jackson, Mississippi mill of the American Cotton Oil Company in 1923. Three years later Covington, John Perry, and other Mississippi crushers and bankers formed the Mississippi Cottonseed Products Company (MCPC), which then owned thirteen mills with eighty-three presses. By 1930 MCPC and nine other companies with a total of 178 mills owned about 45% of the cottonseed crushing business in the USA (Cinderella of the New South: A History of the Cottonseed Industry by Lynette Wrenn). With much sadness in the Covington clan, MCPC was sold in 1981. John was directing the mill in Kennett, MO at the time.

John became a banker, but his first love was always cotton. I remember numerous times when he would look at the shirt I was wearing and ask, “Is it 100% cotton?” He abhorred poly-cotton blends.

Longing and Thanksgiving
My daddy grew up farming cotton, and John worked with cottonseed for over three decades. I have wondered what memories flooded their minds as they rode by cotton fields throughout their lives. Today I rarely see a field without remembering my father and my second father. I miss them both. As I drove past a field last fall, I heard myself say aloud, “I’d love to hear another story about cotton.” I allowed myself to cry a bit, but I was smiling. I thanked God for these two men. I thanked God for heaven and reunions. I thanked God for cotton. And I thanked God for what cotton will always represent: hard work, family and cherished memories.

In loving memory of Jack L. Loftin and John E. Covington.
Written for my wife and children as part of our 2010 Christmas celebration.

Happy Birthday… Really

Part of our family tradition on Christmas Day involves singing Happy Birthday to You and blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. We do this first thing in the morning. Before the explosion of presents, noise and food, we add one more reminder of the day’s significance.

At best, our cake and song may help us remember the birth of Jesus. But is that all there is to celebrating this special birthday? What about the life of Jesus? A friend and student of mine at Asbury Seminary wrote these insightful words in 2000:

In celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus, it has made me think about how we celebrate birthdays in general.  At Christmas we always seem to focus on Christ’s birth, and of course there is good reason.  But usually when we celebrate birthdays of those close to us we don’t go back and remember the person’s birth (unless we’re their parent!).  When I think about celebrating someone’s birthday, I usually am celebrating the fact that this person is who they are, that they are alive and that they are in my life.  I may celebrate what has been going on in our shared life since their last birthday.  I may not think about this consciously, but that is what I am doing when I celebrate a birthday with someone.  I think that is probably what most of us do. 

Why not do the same thing with Jesus on his birthday? Why not celebrate what has been going on in our shared life with him since his last birthday? How have I grown this past year because he walked the earth, and now shares his life with me? (Melynne Rust)

Yes, Jesus was born – humbling himself to take on the pain and limitations of being “human” (Phil 2:6-8). On Saturday, you and I celebrated The Birth.

Today would be a good time to contemplate and celebrate your relationship with the Birthday Boy. To use Melynne’s concept -

• Celebrate who Jesus is.
• Celebrate that he is alive and that we are in his eternal family.
• Contemplate how your life has been impacted and transformed by Jesus since his last birthday celebration.

Remember, Jesus didn’t come to just bless and transform you and me. He came to bless and transform the world for the greater glory of God… and he has chosen to involve us in this mission. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.

How to Give like a Wise Man

Seven Key Guidelines to Giving Wisely

Millions of dollars are wasted this time of year. Generous Christians tend to make gifts in December without thinking carefully. Because you want to be a good steward of God’s resources AND you want your donations to have maximum impact on genuine needs, consider the following guidelines before you write your checks:

1. Focus on the Purpose. You give in order to honor Christ as you help meet the needs of His children. A true gift is selected according to the needs of the “recipient,” not according to how the gift will make the donor feel.
2. Give where non-Christians are not likely to give. Explicitly Christian ministries (including churches) have a smaller pool from which to draw.
3. Give according to Need. Some ministries and organizations have greater financial needs than others.
4. Think Globally. We must take part in God’s work in our own neighborhoods, but it is not biblical to limit ourselves – “in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost” (Acts 1:8).
5. Think Strategically. There is joy in knowing that a gift might help someone. There is more joy in knowing your investment will produce “grace ripples” across an entire community, nation or the world.
6. Think Holistically. Of course, we need to show mercy to the poor. But some poverty is well-disguised. No one is “more poor” than the person that does not know the love of Jesus… even if they live in a nice home.
7. Support ministries that are Trustworthy. Not everything that smells like a rose is a rose. Support ministries led by people you know and trust.

There are people on your Christmas list who have no real needs, but you want (or feel the need) to give them something. Make a donation to a worthy Christian ministry in their honor. This is a win-win-win strategy that makes Jesus smile. And it is His Birthday!

If you think FollowOne International fits these guidelines, you can make a donation online or send your check to FollowOne International, 715 Glen Eagle Drive, Winter Springs, FL 32708.

I Hate Suicide

Hate is a strong word, but I have chosen it intentionally.

The Loftin family has been connected with the Zambetti family (Memphis) for over two decades. Wade Zambetti (27) has been fighting mental illness for years. The struggle ended yesterday. I am hurting with and praying for the Zambetti family and all Wade’s friends.

Fourteen months ago I lost my friend Randy Russell. In the hours after I learned of Randy’s death I wrote the following words, as parting of my grieving process. I am posting this now as a way to honor and remember both Randy and Wade.

My longest friendship has been with Randy Russell. We met when I moved into the Garden Parks neighborhood in Jackson, MS at age 5. I have always admired, respected and looked up to Randy. Sadly, I have not always stayed in touch with him, but I have never stopped loving him. He is a successful physician, a loving and faithful husband and father, a passionate Christ follower, and someone who has invested huge amounts of time in ministry to disadvantaged children.

But today I will try to focus not on what I hate, but what I love. I love faithful and merciful Jesus. I love Randy. Today, I choose to focus on the Light instead of the darkness. One day at a time.

Another Tentmaker

A few months ago I had a series of wonderful but disturbing “aha” moments regarding the church in America, the needs of the world, and my role in God’s mission. The information was not new to me, but God brought several factors into focus in a way that moved me.

I love the Church of Jesus Christ, but most people would agree that the church in America is broken and needs transformation. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and to bring healing and hope to the hurting. Jesus calls the church to follow Him in this mission, but we are distracted with other duties and preoccupations. This is true for entire churches as well as individuals.

Much of my time and the time of other leaders is dedicated to facilitating relatively easy and “non-invasive” changes in the systems of local churches – increase giving to missions, send more short term mission trips, preach more about the mission of God, help the poor in the community, etc. However, I am now convinced that pervasive and foundational changes need to be implemented as soon as possible. The type changes I am suggesting may not be universally affirmed, but something has to be done. Changes in the two areas I am suggesting will release a much greater portion of the church’s resources (time, prayer and finances) to be used in addressing the underserved needs in our communities and around the world. Deal with this sad fact – 41% of the people in the world have no access to the Gospel.

I began to follow Jesus in 1970 as part of a spiritual awakening among teenagers across the nation. I made this course-altering commitment weeks before my senior year at Wingfield High School in Jackson, MS. My chief spiritual mentor coached us to do a few things well – study the Bible, pray and share the Good News. The gang of young folks under his leadership kept those disciplines passionately. One year later, I heard God call me to “full time ministry.” My dream of being a rich banker was replaced. I subconsciously assumed, “Instead of receiving a paycheck from a bank, I guess I’ll be paid by a church.” Since my sophomore year in college the only income I have earned has been from churches and non-profit ministries. Recently I realized that few Christians in history or around the world today connect calling to ministry with “paychecks” – at least not like I have.

Approximately 80% of a local church’s finances (and I expect prayer and volunteers) are allocated for needs related to its buildings and paid staff. I’m not sure what I can do about church buildings, but I can do something about the salary issue. In keeping with the pattern of the Apostle Paul and the vast majority of Christian workers over the ages and around the world today, in March I decided to become a tentmaker, a bi-vocational Christian worker (Acts 18:1-4 NIV). I want to model this ministry lifestyle, not just talk about it.

Within one week of this commitment, I was approached and recruited by the founder and director of Awake Consulting and Coaching (www.awakeconsulting.com). This spring the FOI board affirmed my request to begin a relationship with Awake, and I am now working with my first two clients. I have been amazed by the similarities between the coaching I have done with church leaders and the coaching I am providing to business leaders. Some healthy cross-pollination is taking place. Regarding my time and energy, I am fitting my consulting work into my FollowOne schedule. This is easy since much of my consulting work is done via teleconference.

I want to discourage any perception that “James left the ministry” or that “FollowOne is closing.” FollowOne continues to be strong as we strategically engage in God’s mission. The change in my vocational situation is due to God’s call on my life, and it is consistent with FollowOne’s commitment to help churches more effectively, sacrificially and strategically participate in God’s mission.

FollowOne, like most churches and ministries, is feeling a financial pinch. The sour economy, however, is not the driver for my vocational shift. As my income from consulting clients begins and grows, the amount of money paid to me by FollowOne will be reduced.

Pray for me in this new chapter of my life. This is God’s calling for me. That doesn’t make me better or worse than other Christians, but perhaps my witness will help people consider new ways to respond to God’s call.

Pray also for the men and women being called to ministry in America. Consider the fact that God has impacted entire nations through the faithful service of unpaid or tentmaker ministers in cooperation with a very small number of full-time paid Christian workers. There is, of course, a great need for faithful and effective Christian workers to be paid for their services, and some of them need full time support. But thousands of other workers would be just as effective if a portion of their income was from a tentmaker position. This change would release millions of dollars for ministry to the unreached and underserved people in our communities and around the world.

If you have questions or concerns about my new tentmaker status, please contact me. I want to hear from you. Here I stand – for the glory of God, for the soul of the church and for the good of the world.

So what do you think?

Ideas? Questions? Concerns? Scripture? Let’s talk.