The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year. The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year. The pundits already are at the door - and on the airwaves - predicting, speculating, postulating and posturing as well. Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson already has announced he believes President George Bush has a divine mandate and will win in a cakewalk. Others have agreed in principle, voicing concern about whether Democrats can field a viable candidate. Still others note that with the economy recovering and Saddam Hussein in custody, there are few issues that can hurt the sitting president in his quest for a second term. Is it that certain? Well, if a new OLeary Report/Zogby International poll is any indication, the answer is an emphatic "no." Based on the findings of the poll, researchers are predicting a deeply-divided presidential race. Why? The answer is simple - because the United States is a deeply-divided country. Indeed, the poll shows a clear division … [Read more...]
History shows – the great preachers are all hard workers
Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects, He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects, He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer The last character quality to mention in the search for the making of great preachers is work. In the history of preaching, those who excelled at their task were all hard workers, busy preachers, never idle, never slackers. How a Calvin or Wesley or Whitefield could preach every day - and sometimes several times a day - and still find time to … [Read more...]
LSU is No. 1 once again – but on a different ‘field’
Louisiana State Universitys football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days. Louisiana State Universitys football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days. Last month, the LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry formed the largest group of any BCM to participate in a North American missions trip this school year. One hundred fifty-three students and staff from the schools Baton Rouge and Shreveport campuses traveled to New York City late last year for the eight-day trip. LSUs campus ministry in Baton Rouge also led the nation in most students participating in a Southern Baptist International Mission Board trip last year, as 251 students traveled to Mexico. That is amazing, says Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at the Baton Rouge campus. "Missions trips like these are an incredible way for a college student to spend time serving God and drawing closer to God," Masters emphasizes. "Trips such as these are also a great way for an individual to meet and get to know other student participants. "Im convinced we catch spiritual growth from each … [Read more...]
LBC Cooperative Program closes down – missions giving finishes strong
At year end, the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program closed right about where state leaders expected. At year end, the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program closed right about where state leaders expected. Still, seeing the numbers in black and white could not have been pleasant. After falling behind budget and last years pace early in 2003, the state Cooperative Program closed the year with a December surge - but it was not enough. For the month, state Cooperative Program receipts totaled more than $2.3 million, an increase of $213,544 (9.9 percent) from the previous December. However, for the year, state Cooperative Program receipts totaled $21,558,373, a drop of $287,855 (1.3 percent) from 2002. The total also closed more than $2.3 million (9.9 percent) behind budget. State convention leaders blamed the economy for the reduced total. "Actually, the bad news is good news in the sense that the total is about where we predicted it would be," said Dean Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "The fact it didnt get worse is good news. The fact that we kept spending within income is also good news. … [Read more...]
State allows public funding of religious education
While the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether taxpayers have to subsidize college students training for careers in the pulpit, in Louisiana, the answer is clear. Bruce Nolan, New Orleans Times Picayune While the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether taxpayers have to subsidize college students training for careers in the pulpit, in Louisiana, the answer is clear. State taxpayers want to do so. Louisiana is one of only three states whose laws and constitution do not forbid spending public money on private religious education, reports the Institute for Justice, a libertarian advocacy center. Thus, unlike their counterparts in most of the country, Louisiana students equipped with Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) money can prepare for careers in the ministry at Louisiana Baptist-affiliated Louisiana College and the United Methodist Churchs Centenary College, said George Eldredge, general counsel for the state Office of Student Financial Assistance. In 1999, the state attorney generals office ruled that qualifying Catholic seminarians also can use TOPS money to do their undergraduate studies in philosophy at St. Josephs Seminary College in … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of January 15, 2004 Potpourri DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: "Being Gods Kind of Man" Mens Retreat; Jan. 30-31, Stan Alcorn and Marvin Douglass, guest speakers; Mackey Willis, music; $40/lodging; $25/commuters and $15/one day commuter; for information and to register; call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. WEST MONROE - Ridge Avenue church: "All Sports Banquet" for men/boys of all ages; Jan. 31, 6 p.m.; Blake Shelby, guest speaker; $5 per ticket; for tickets, call (318) 396-1116; David Maxwell, pastor. BATON ROUGE - Istrouma church: Bayou Youth Rally; Jan. 18, 8-10:30 p.m.; Paul Mints, guest speaker; LSU BCM Praise Band and various youth groups, musical guests; $8 for bowling after rally; Larkin Harris and Steve Masters, rally leaders; Stuart Rothberg, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Chapel Choir reunion of Sunset Acres church (now known as Springs of Grace church); Jan. 17, 2 p.m. fellowship; Jan. 18, 10:45 a.m. program; for information, call Louis Williams at (318) 688-4235 or Gary Melanson at (318) 686-5200; Gary Melanson, minister of music; Marty J. Wright, pastor. Anniversaries RIVER RIDGE - Riverside … [Read more...]
Young adults will come to church for something real, leaders emphasize
It is not that they do not care - indeed, a recent study showed that 80 percent of people in their 20s insist their faith is very important in their lives. It is not that they do not care - indeed, a recent study showed that 80 percent of people in their 20s insist their faith is very important in their lives. Nearly 60 percent claimed to have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Three-fourths of the age group said they prayed during the past seven days. Nevertheless, in a typical week, additional studies by the Barna Research Group indicate that just three out of 10 twenty-somethings attend church. In addition, only 30 percent of adults in their 20s donated something to a church during the past year. As well - that is the same percentage of those who said they have read the Bible during any given week. Despite the incongruity of such numbers, various religious leaders say they are not surprised by the statistics. "I think its pretty much straight up with what we see here," said Scotty Jernigan, pastor of The Crossroads Church at Belforest in Daphne, Ala. "They (twentysomethings) have not seen where church ... … [Read more...]
Temple Mount events have many asking – what does the future hold?
Tension between Israelis and Arabs is nothing new, but added attention is being paid now to events regarding a site held sacred by both - the Temple Mount. Tension between Israelis and Arabs is nothing new, but added attention is being paid now to events regarding a site held sacred by both - the Temple Mount. Indeed, two Southern Baptist seminary professors say the tense situation at the sacred site has major implications for world peace and Christs second coming. Concerns were heightened last fall with a section of wall that is part of the Islamic Museum on the mount collapsed, leaving a gaping hole measuring about 120 square feet. Some observers warned it was a sign of a pending catastrophe at the site that could spark deadly violence, including an all-out war between Jews and Arabs. The damage also followed a 2002 report of a bulge in another wall at the Temple Mount blamed on excavations for a third mosque being built in the area. Conservationists have warned the entire structure is in danger of collapsing. "That could be an indication of what is to come," said Steve Andrews, professor of Old Testament and archeology at Midwestern Baptist … [Read more...]
Change. Change? Do not talk to me about change
I do not like change..." A statement heard time to time around Baptist churches. It is very, very seldom true. I do not like change..." A statement heard time to time around Baptist churches. It is very, very seldom true. If we did not like change, we would still be riding ox carts and stumbling around in the darkness. We would be pulling buckets of water out of wells for our water and building fires in mud fireplaces for warmth. We would be hunting our meat with spears hurdled with atlatls. Our feet would be covered with deer hides and our clothes would be leather - not the fashionable kinds of Fifth Avenue. What we should say is, "I do not like change that makes me uncomfortable and threatens my comfort zone, especially at the church." And do many find their comfort zone in churches? They only want worship during which participants sing only the same hymns they sang as children, and their parents and grandparents sang as children before them. One church prided itself in singing only hymns church members could sing by memory. Singing the hymns by memory meant you belonged. Another church used its same "order of worship" that changed only at hymn numbers, … [Read more...]
Weekly BriefS
For the published week of January 22, 2004 Arts festival The third annual Louisiana Baptist Christian Performing Arts Festival has been set for Feb. 20-21 at Kingsville Baptist Church in Pineville. The festival is designed to offer practical, hands-on instructional seminary on various performing arts topics. It also features worship celebrations. The event is set to begin with registration on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. It is scheduled to conclude with a worship session to begin on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Cost is $45 per person prior to Feb. 6 and $50 per person after that date. For registration details, contact the state convention youth and young adult department at (800) 622-6549 or (318) 448-3402. Space is limited. Faith-based expansion President George Bush has announced an expansion of the governments ability to fund social services through churches and other religious groups. The announcement is the latest in a series of actions by the Bush administration to make it easier for religious charities to compete for government grants on the same basis as secular groups. It is known as the "faith-based initiative." The new rules open $3.7 billion in federal funds to churches and religious … [Read more...]