Submitted by philip on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 09:27 For the last four years “Be the Church” has spent $100,000 in building material to repair some 40 homes in Washington Parish. By Bob Adams, Special to the Message BOGALUSA – It is one thing to go to church, or even to belong to a church. It is quite another to be the church. Twice each year, in the spring and fall, men and women from the Southern Baptist churches of Washington Parish spend a week intentionally being the church. “Be the Church Week” began in 2009, but its roots extend back several years. Before Hurricane Katrina paid her devastating visit to Washington Parish in August 2005, a group of men at one of the Southern Baptist churches in Franklinton came together to do some upkeep and repair work on their church buildings and property. After caring for their church facilities for some time, they decided to offer their skills and time to some people in their church who needed repair work done on their homes – primarily elderly persons living on small, fixed incomes. Taking their ministry beyond the church facilities brought an increased sense of mission and fulfillment to them. In Katrina’s aftermath many groups and agencies came to Washington Parish to help … [Read more...]
Support for same-sex marriage not based on scientific fact
By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans now support recognition of homosexual marriage. In 2013 eight national polls have been conducted on the subject. The average of these surveys, according to PollingReport.com, indicates a 51 percent support for same-sex marriage. A Pew Research Center poll, conducted in January 2010, found that only 38 percent of Americans were in support of homosexual marriage. A more recent Pew poll, released on March 29 of this year, revealed that 49 percent now support same-sex nuptials. No matter what poll you examine, it is clear that support for homosexuality in general, and same-sex marriage in specific, has increased dramatically in recent years. The question is: Why? Another Pew poll, reported on March 20, sought to discover the reasons for the recent rise in support for homosexual marriage. Of those surveyed who had changed their mind in favor of same-sex marriage, 32 percent said they knew someone who was homosexual. Twenty-five percent had changed their mind because they said they had become more open over time. Another 18 percent indicated they had switched their position because homosexuality was more prevalent and same-sex marriage was … [Read more...]
The Cooperative Program & the future of collaborative ministry
By Jason K. Allen, President Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary As a convictional Baptist, I am committed to two, and only two, ordinances for the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. If I advocated a third ordinance, however, it just might be the Cooperative Program. Of course I am speak with hyperbole, but over the last 15 years my appreciation for this denominational staple has grown by the day. In concert with my deepening affection for the Cooperative Program has arisen a parallel, and increasingly urgent, concern for its future. It has been said that numbers are like people: If you squeeze them, you can make them say whatever you want. Yet Cooperative Program statistics need not be squeezed to signal clear and troubling trends. Since the 1980s, the average percentage that churches allocate to the Cooperative Program has steadily declined. Over the past 25 years, the portion churches forward to the CP has decreased by almost 50 percent, dropping from 10.52 percent in 1987 to 5.41 percent in 2011. Moreover, one of the Cooperative Program’s predominant challenges is generational. Simply put, by and large, the younger the minister is, the less committed he is to it. As president of Midwestern Seminary, I … [Read more...]
Remembering the time I was given a Bible I didn’t want
By Jeff Iorg, President Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary My grandmother died in March. She was a devout Christian who lived a full life of service to God and others. Before it was cool, she helped start a church that has grown to be one of the strongest in its area. People at my grandmother’s service spoke of her personal witness to them, her direct way of getting to the point about spiritual matters, and her constant love for those who struggled with life’s challenges. She truly was a remarkable woman. My earliest memory of her was going to her house for Christmas when I was only 6 or 7 years old. I wanted a watch for Christmas: not some toy, but a grown-up watch to show everyone my budding maturity. On Christmas Eve, grandmother said we each could open one present. I scanned the tree, looking for the smallest box that just might be my watch. Nothing really matched watch-size, but one rectangular box had possibilities. I selected that gift, hopeful it would fulfill my dreams. I opened it enthusiastically. It was a Bible – about the worst gift imaginable for me at the time. My disappointment was more than evident. Who gives a kid a Bible for Christmas? It was a zippered, King James Version, red-letter edition, with my … [Read more...]
After-birth abortion’ – A moment of clarity in debate
By James Smith, Editor Florida Baptist Witness One side talks about choice. The other side talks about life. In the abortion debate, there are few times when clarity breaks through so that only the most ardently committed, truly pro-abortion advocates can fail to see – or at least admit – the moral reality of abortion. Such a moment of clarity occurred March 27 before a Florida House of Representatives committee considering a bill that would provide protections to children born alive after a failed abortion. The measure would require medical attention be given after “botched” abortions – that is, where the baby lived rather than died. A Planned Parenthood lobbyist opposed the bill, dumbfounding even a life-long pro-choice lawmaker. During the Civil Justice Subcommittee’s consideration of the “Infants Born Alive Act” (HB 1129), Alisa LaPolt Snow, a lobbyist representing Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, testified that what happens to a live baby of a “botched” abortion should be the decision of the woman and her doctor. The bill “inserts politics where it does not belong,” said Snow, never minding the fact that the bill sponsor, Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, is an emergency medicine physician. “Decisions … [Read more...]
Questions We’ve Pondered
By Bill Warren, NOBTS Question: What was marriage like in the time of Jesus? Bill Warren responds: Marriage customs were indeed different in the Roman context, especially compared with our context. Marriages were based on legal contracts between families with regard to two members of those families. One ancient marriage contract stipulates that if a dowry has been received from the bride’s family, with the requirement that if the bride is not treated well, or is turned out from the home, or another wife is brought into the home, then the dowry has to be repaid 150 percent. In exchange, the wife is required not to be absent from the home at night without the consent of her husband and is not to do anything that would be dishonorable for the home, like being with another man, or else she forfeits the dowry. What was not mentioned in the marriage contract was love. The husband had to provide a decent life – food, shelter, and the like – for his wife; he did not have to love her. And the wife was to keep peace in the home, with no command to love her husband. Hopefully love also became part of the marriage, but that was not part of the legal contract. A sizeable dowry brought greater protection to the woman and provided a … [Read more...]
First Baptist ‘Loves Lafayette’ ministry ripples through city
Submitted by philip on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 10:17 A member of First Lafayette muscles a bag of top soil over to a flower bed as part of Campus Clean-Up Day on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter LAFAYETTE – “First Baptist Church Has Left the Building.” That paraphrase of a catchy slogan typifies the outreach and community involvement of First Baptist Lafayette. The effect of the church’s annual day of community service – called “First Baptist Loves Lafayette” – ripples throughout the community, local schools and the university. “Our ultimate goal is to get people out serving and engaging the community,” says Andrea McKenzie, minister of missions and college students at First Lafayette. “Churches have a tendency to do safe and comfortable mission projects, in areas where ministry is already being done. Our challenge is to serve our community while simultaneously engaging people who are far from God. “ Recent excitement has come on two fronts: when the church decided to “adopt” as this year’s exclusive focus, the “unreached people group” of about 17,000 students, faculty and staff at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, located just three blocks from the church. In … [Read more...]
LC places law school building on the market
By Staff, Baptist Message SHREVEPORT – The building Louisiana College purchased to house its proposed law school has been placed on the market. The former Joe D. Waggonner Federal Building, located in Shreveport, which was expected to be the home of LC’s Judge Paul Pressler School of Law, was recently listed with Sealy Real Estate Services LLC a real estate company specializing in commercial properties with corporate offices in Shreveport and Dallas, Texas. The listing for the building on the Sealy web site, which was bought by LC in February 2011, does not indicate a purchase price. Beth F. King, the agent handling the listing, recently told The Town Talk, Alexandria’s daily newspaper, “the 154,000-square foot building and 2.35-acre lot” located in downtown Shreveport “could be listed for about $4 million.” The listing also indicates the building is for lease. A description of the property, obtained online, indicates the former Federal Building, constructed in 1972, consists of eight floors and 152,000 square feet. Among its amenities are: five high speed elevators, three courtrooms with all support facilities, and an attached garage with 300 parking spaces. Originally listed for sale at $1.5 million, LC purchased the … [Read more...]
As pastor and police chief, God has opened doors for Billiot
Submitted by philip on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 10:21 Kevin Billiot By Holly Jo Linzay, Special to the Message MONTGOMERY – Kevin Billiot daily puts on the armor of God as he faces spiritual warfare in his role as a pastor and as the police chief for the town of Montgomery. “As a police chief, I’m exposed to humanity at its worst,” Billiot said. The rural Grant Parish town of Montgomery, with a population of about 750 citizens, is a relatively quiet community, Billiot adds, but the police action comes in spurts. “It gets hectic,” Billiot said. “There are drugs, alcoholism, shootings and deaths. It can be psychologically, emotionally and physically challenging. The spiritual warfare can be pretty intense. But God is faithful and has blessed us.” Serving as the pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Montgomery and as the police chief was an unexpected calling in Billiot’s life. For most of his adult life, Billiot was a self-employed businessman in New Orleans. “In 2009, I surrendered to the Lord’s call to enter into ministry,” recalled Billiot, adding that for the next year he preached in various churches. He accepted his first pastorate at Northside Baptist in November 2010. Five months later, the mayor and town council … [Read more...]
Children ‘encounter’ Christ at Mamou skating rink
Submitted by philip on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 10:24 The Christian action sports ministry called “Real Encounter” and their performance before 200 children at the Mamou skating rink in late March resulted in 63 children coming forward for Christ: 30 of them for salvation and 33 re-dedications. By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter MAMOU – They came. They rode. They reached. They are the Christian action sports ministry called “Real Encounter” and their performance before 200 children at the Mamou skating rink in late March resulted in 63 children coming forward for Christ: 30 of them for salvation and 33 re-dedications. The group of young men in this Missouri-based outreach combines high energy music, motorcycles, mountain bikes and BMX bikes in daring feats to connect young people with the word of God. For Pastor Travis Turner of North Eunice Baptist Church, the clarity of their message is what accounted for such a good response. “We hear lots of different presentations like this with groups using skits and performances but, in most, the gospel is not clear. These guys, they knocked it out of the park,” Turner said. “We don’t know how many of these conversions or re-dedications were sincere, but we do know we gave those … [Read more...]