In the wake of several high-profile corporate scandals - such as the Enron debacle - a new era is emerging in American business, various business leaders and consultants suggest. In the wake of several high-profile corporate scandals - such as the Enron debacle - a new era is emerging in American business, various business leaders and consultants suggest. The Enron scandal represents a pendulum swing toward an era of business reform, said consultant Ken Jennings, who has worked with more than 25 Fortune 500 companies in the last six years. Now, values that Christians hold dear are being road-tested in some offices around the country. However, deep-rooted reform will not occur overnight, said Jennings, a Christian who helps companies build businesses that are above reproach. "Quick-fix solutions to ethical problems wont work for businesses that have an anything-for-the-bottom-line approach, ..." he said. "In a business culture that is rotten at the core, there are things going wrong that you dont yet see." So, how does one reform a business culture that rewards the kind of deception seen in the Enron scandal? "You cant just take the anti-Enron pill," … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2015
Construction of Museum of the Bible Underway
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amid snow flurries in the nation’s capital, construction on the world’s first museum devoted solely to the Bible began in February as demolition began on the site near Capitol Hill. “It’s an exciting day for us,” said Steve Green, president of the craft store chain Hobby Lobby, who birthed the idea for the museum. “It’s been a dream, and it’s becoming a reality.” The Museum of the Bible is a $400 million project scheduled for completion in 2017 and will feature the Green Collection, one of the world’s largest private compilations of biblical texts and artifacts. … [Read more...]
Court Rules Same-sex Marriage Rights Trump Florist’s Beliefs
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Washington state judge ruled in February that a Christian flower shop owner is required under state law to provide full services for same-sex wedding ceremonies, even though it violates her faith. Barronelle Stutzman sold flowers to gay couple Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed for more than nine years, and considered Ingersoll a friend. But when he asked her to create the flower arrangements for the couple’s wedding in 2013, the great-grandmother said she couldn’t because of her “relationship with Jesus Christ.” She referred them to another business for assistance. The Washington state attorney sued Stutzman for allegedly violating the Washington Law Against Discrimination and its Consumer Protection Act. Ingersoll and Freed soon filed their own lawsuit against Stutzman. The ruling settles both suits by summary judgment in the plaintiffs’ favor, preventing the case from proceeding to trial. Voters in Washington legalized same-sex marriage on Nov. 6, 2012. … [Read more...]
Ala. Supreme Court halts same-sex marriage licenses
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Supreme Court has ordered a halt to same-sex marriage licenses in the state, posing a direct challenge to a federal court in Mobile that overturned the state’s marriage laws. The Alabama court, in a March 3 decision, stated: “As it has done for approximately two centuries, Alabama law allows for ‘marriage’ between only one man and one woman. Alabama probate judges have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage license contrary to this law. Nothing in the United States Constitution alters or overrides this duty.” This fact, the court stated, “does not change simply because the new definition of marriage has gained ascendancy in certain quarters of the country, even if one of those quarters is the federal judiciary.” The court issued its opinion as one body, called “per curiam,” rather than identifying the judges who drafted the 148-page ruling regarding probate judges who are the state officials responsible for issuing marriage licenses. The religious liberty firm Liberty Counsel, which filed a lawsuit on behalf of state moral concerns organizations ALCAP and the Alabama Policy Institute and a county probate judge, said it was a 7-1 ruling by the nine-member court, with one … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program is 4.81 percent ahead of projections
NASHVILLE (BP) – Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist Convention national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 4.81 percent above the year-to-date budgeted projection, and are 2.97 percent above contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Frank S. Page. The total includes receipts from state conventions and fellowships, churches and individuals for distribution according to the 2014-15 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. As of Feb. 28, receipts totaled $82,098,104.34, or 104.81 percent of the $78,333,333.33 year-to-date budgeted amount to support SBC ministries globally and nationally. The total is $2,371,418.56 more than the $79,726,685.78 received through February 2014. The SBC-adopted budget is distributed 50.41 percent to international missions through IMB, 22.79 percent to North American missions through the North American Mission Board, 22.16 percent to theological education through the six SBC seminaries, 2.99 percent to the SBC operating budget, and 1.65 percent to the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. GuideStone Financial Resources and LifeWay Christian … [Read more...]
Tennessee Temple to close, merge with Piedmont
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The trustees of two Baptist colleges, Tennessee Temple University and Piedmont International University, voted unanimously to merge the institutions March 3. The announcement comes a day after The Chattanoogan (Chattanoogan.com) reported TTU would be closing its doors at the end of this semester. The merger will be finalized April 30, pending the approval of the Transnational Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits both universities. Established only a year apart in the mid-1940s, the two universities share a common mission that dates back to their founders, Charles Stevens of PIU in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Lee Roberson of TTU in Chattanooga, Tenn. TTU online students can expect decreases in their tuition rates and a seamless transition, according to PIU officials. Online programs will be transferred in their entirety to PIU. Residential students who move to Winston-Salem will experience a drop in tuition, room and board of approximately twenty-five percent. Several TTU board members will join PIU’s board, and some of TTU’s faculty and staff will move to Winston-Salem. PIU’s president, Charles Petitt, said the merged schools will have far greater potential together than … [Read more...]
God revealing Himself in new ways through The Gathering Place
News & Features By Hannah Fleming, Message Staff Reporter PINEVILLE – God is revealing Himself in a new way through The Gathering Place church. Glen Whatley, pastor of The Gathering Place, says God has changed his perspective on church. And in so doing, The Gathering Place has expanded and is now meeting in not one but two locations. “Two years ago in November, I attended a conference where the speaker spoke about becoming a ‘sending’ church,” said Whatley. “The idea was to always be looking to send people out to plant new churches in your area, state, or wherever.” Whatley said when the church outgrew its existing building he wanted to follow the traditional trend of most churches and just build a new building or, perhaps, relocate the entire church to a bigger location. “It was very satisfying to think about expansion in that way. It would have made me look successful and the church proud,” said Whatley. But as hard as it was for Whatley to let go of the old ways, God had spoken and he began to follow God’s Call. He first took the idea to the elders, who began to pray about it, and then it was brought before the congregation where the idea received 100 percent affirmation. Upon surrendering … [Read more...]
Mission awareness and activity once again focal point of M-JAM
LBC & SBC News By Staff, Baptist Message Several hundred GAs and Children in Action will come together to not only learn about missions but do missions together at the annual Mission Jamboree later this month. Known as M-JAM, the event is scheduled at two locations in the state. The schedule will be the same at both locations, which allows for youngsters in first through sixth grade and their leaders to attend M-JAM at the church closest to where they live. Williams Boulevard Baptist in Kenner is hosting the first M-JAM on March 14 while First Baptist Church in Minden is the site for the event on March 21. The Scripture basis for M-JAM is Mark 8:34. “M-Jam is a day of mission’s awareness and mission activity that builds on their faith foundations with a Gospel presentation, that introduces children to ‘real live’ missionaries, and gives them an opportunity to do missions activities with children from around the state,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists. Maegan Bruce on March 14 and Andy Partington on March 21 will use music and interaction during the main celebration sessions to tell the missions story, engage those attending in missions and present the Gospel. Chance Fussell … [Read more...]
RA Congress provides boys a little taste of pioneer days
LBC & SBC News By Staff, Baptist Message WOODWORTH – Young men will get a taste of pioneer days at this year’s Royal Ambassador Congress. Starting and extinguishing a fire, how a yoke of oxen work together as a team and eating a meal out of a chuck wagon are among the activities planned for this year’s annual gathering of first through sixth grade boys. RA Congress begins March 27 and concludes the following day at Tall Timbers Conference Center. “There are moments growing up that have created “snapshots” on the memory banks of my mind,” said Mike Collie. “An RA campout is one of those snapshots. I believe this is one of those snapshot events.” While RA Congress will feature events unique to its theme “Take Me Back To Pioneer Days”, the weekend will also include traditional favorites such as pinewood derby and soapbox car races, archery, rope crafts, bb gun shooting, slingshots, hatchet throwing and presentations from missionaries. The missionaries coming this year include those from the North American and International Mission Board. The cost for RA Congress is average of $76.00 per person, based on multiple occupancy. To register, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/RACongress or contact Tall Timbers by phone at 318.445.6797 or … [Read more...]
DR Roundtables prepare teams to properly respond to crisis
LBC & SBC News By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Ever wanted to minister to victims of a hurricane, tornado or flood in the United States? Then March 21 may be that chance when Temple Baptist Church in Ruston hosts a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief roundtable. The roundtable offers one-day training for anyone interested in becoming a part of a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team. Stanley Statham, a blue hat (unit director) for the disaster relief team for the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, said disaster relief training is important because it prepares church members to respond to those in crisis in an effective way. “Often when a disaster strikes people want to respond but lack the skills and knowledge to do so in an effective way,” said Statham, who also is director of missions for the association. “Responding to disasters gives every believer an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. James 1:27 states, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction. “In the first century widows and orphans were the most vulnerable of society,” he continued. “Survivors of disasters are left in a vulnerable state and cannot pay back … [Read more...]