By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Louisiana Baptists will be operating on a leaner Cooperative Program budget in 2017. During its September meeting, the Executive Board approved the Business and Finance Committee’s recommendation for the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget of $20,043,331, a decrease of $550,435 from 2016. The budget will be brought to messengers for approval during the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. The allocation between SBC and LBC causes remains unchanged, with 63.26 percent going to ministries in the state and 36.74 percent forwarded to SBC causes. The portion of the budget which funds the LBC ministries will be $12,679,411, a decrease of $348,205 from the 2016 allocation. “The CP allocation budget is based on receipts received from August 2015 through July 2016,” said Dale Lingenfelter, business and information services director for Louisiana Baptists. “Our state is facing several economic challenges that are affecting the budgets of our churches which in turn, affects our cooperative missions and ministries. “The budget projected for 2017 is basically the same as our 1999 budget, even though the percentage forwarded to our SBC … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2016
EDITORIAL: Hillary Clinton still snubbing Louisianans
By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – Compassion is seen and not heard – it is doing something for someone else without the expectation of anything from anyone in return. Unfortunately, it appears this concept is lost on the former secretary of state campaigning to be president. As of the writing of this opinion piece, Sept. 29, it has been 46 days since the record rainfall in southern Louisiana caused widespread devastation, impacting an estimated 155,000 homes, many uninsured and a good portion of them destroyed. Businessman and presidential candidate Donald Trump managed to visit the state within five days, and even donated a reported $100,000 to relief. President Barack Obama completed his golf vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, first, but still came to Louisiana in nine days, offering personal comfort and federal aid. But, a month and a half after the crisis, and 39 days after declaring “I am committed to visiting communities affected by these floods … to discuss how we can and will rebuild together,” Hillary Clinton has yet to show up and offer a single word of encouragement to even one of the nearly half million Louisianans impacted by the high waters. Meanwhile, news reports document she attended 37 … [Read more...]
Georgia Barnette Conference Center: a dream becomes reality
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – A long-time dream finally became reality Sept. 27 when Louisiana Baptist staff, pastors, volunteers and other supporters who played a key role in the fundraising and construction of the Georgia Barnette Conference Center gathered on the grounds of Tall Timbers to dedicate the new facility. Actual work began on the facility 14 months ago but the idea was visualized long before. “This has been a buildup over about four years from vision to completion,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. “I’m grateful for all those who volunteered – over 250 volunteers -- and the hundreds and hundreds of donations. God bless you. We appreciate you so much.” Since early 2013, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s missions and ministry team led by Hebert has been raising money for the new center. They also have made hundreds of presentations to churches, Woman’s Missionary Union groups, individuals, missions education groups, various other audiences and at annual associational meetings. The 8,400-square-foot facility was designed for flexibility, providing a 560-seat auditorium layout or the option to change the floor plan into six meeting rooms with … [Read more...]
Tebow hits home run on first pitch at first bat as professional baseball player
Why I love that verse
By Waylon Bailey Do you ever hear people saying, “I love that verse of Scripture”? That’s the kind of remark I hear all the time. In fact, I hear myself saying that very often. Yesterday morning I heard myself saying that about Isaiah 26:3: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” What do people mean when they say “I love that verse”? Well, here’s what I meant yesterday morning. First, I love that verse because it is true. And it’s not just the truth, it is God’s truth. He really keeps us in beautiful, wonderful peace when we place Him where He truly belongs– – on the throne of our lives. Second, I love that verse because it comes from God Himself. Therefore, I know I can trust that these words are true and trustworthy. When I put my trust in Him, I can enjoy His perfect peace. Third, I love this verse because it speaks to the needs of my life. I truly want to live at peace within myself, at peace with others, and above all else at peace with God. This verse speaks to that desire and for that reason I love this. There’s another verse I love: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). I thank God for His … [Read more...]
If Trump’s record on women is fair game, so is Hillary’s
NFL ratings drop
Russian missile shot down Malaysian Flight MH17
Baby born from three parents
STUDY: Decades of divorce eroding religious affiliation
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