By Kelly Boggs, Editor Baptist Message “Mom’s Night Out,” a movie currently in theaters, is being ravaged by film critics. On the popular Internet site Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates movie reviews, only 17 percent of reviews have been positive. The film features three mothers who seek to have a night out away from their families, especially their children. Predictably – it is a comedic movie after all – everything goes wrong and an evening of humorous chaos ensues. The acting performances in the film are fine. Anchoring the cast are Sarah Drew of the hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” Patricia Heaton of television’s “The Middle” and “Everyone Loves Raymond,” and Sean Astin who was in the “Lord of the Rings” films and starred in the movie “Rudy.” So what is the problem critics have with the movie? Why have 83 percent dismissed the film? Here’s a sampling of critic complaints: “There’s nothing inherently wrong with faith-based entertainment. The problem comes when, as with any heavily slanted perspective, the faith takes precedent over the entertainment.” – Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News. “Depressingly regressive and borderline dangerous, ‘Mom’s Night Out’ peddles archaic notions of gender roles in the name of wacky … [Read more...]
Good news! Cooperative Program shows two years of gains
Ashley Clayton, SBC Vice-President for Cooperative Program and Stewardship Are you ready for some good news? The most recent Annual Church Profile (ACP) data reveals a new and positive direction in Southern Baptist missions and ministries funding through the Cooperative Program. Over the past three decades, the average Cooperative Program gift per church, as a percentage of a church’s undesignated receipts, had steadily declined. For example, in 1982, across all Southern Baptist churches, the average Cooperative Program gift per church was 10.7 percent of a church’s undesignated receipts. Each year since 1982, with the exception of three slight upticks in 1995, 1997 and 1999, there was a predictable and steady decline of average Cooperative Program gifts per church. Since 1999, average percent of undesignated gifts from cooperating churches has declined by about two-tenths of a percent per year, reaching its lowest point in 2011 – 5.407 percent across all SBC churches. But, we see signs of hope. In 2012, the average Cooperative Program gift per church ticked up slightly to 5.414 percent. Now, for some really good news: The 2013 Cooperative Program reports and SBC Annual Church Profile data show the average Cooperative … [Read more...]
Persecution an unpopular promise for followers of Christ
By James B. Law, Pastor First Baptist Church Gonzales In recent days, many of us have followed with great interest the story of the Sudanese woman, Mariam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to death. Her crime? She was found guilty of apostasy because she converted to Christianity from Islam. In addition to the death penalty Ibrahim was also sentenced to receive 100 lashes for adultery in marrying a Christian man. Giving the story global traction has been the presence of Ibrahim’s children with her in prison, a 21 month old boy and her daughter who was born in prison last month. Thankfully, we have received encouraging reports of an appeals process and it is expected that Mariam will be released soon. Christians have been always been comforted by the promises of God. We treasure these promises as they strengthen faith and resolve and give to us hope to press on. However, there are some promises that we would like to ignore. The promise of persecution is one we would shelve, but if we would follow Jesus faithfully, we are promised suffering and persecution in this life. My ministry was inaugurated in some of the roughest sections of New Orleans. In 1989, I pastored a church in St. Bernard parish and on one particular day I was … [Read more...]
Persecution from a Chinese Christian’s perspective
By Jimmy Draper, Interim President Criswell College The interview was wrapping up when the reporter asked a prominent leader in the rapidly expanding Chinese house church movement how American Christians could pray for believers in China. “Stop praying for persecution in China to end,” the leader responded, “for it is through persecution that the church has grown.” What astounding faith he demonstrated. My admiration of his faith was quickly tempered by what he said next. “In fact, we are praying that the American church might taste the same persecution, so revival would come to the American church like we have seen in China.” Once I recovered from the shock of such a disturbing yet profound statement, I thought about the irony. We in America keep praying for God to bless us, while persecuted Christians in other nations are praying God will dismantle our arrogance through suffering so that we will become the vibrant and significant blessing God made us to be. The Bible is replete with examples of God humbling the haughty. Arrogance followed by judgment is a recurring theme. Survey the Old Testament and confirm it for yourself. Before dismissing those examples as ancient history, flip to Revelation and read Christ’s seven … [Read more...]
LifeWay addresses Glorieta sale decision
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:40 Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, gives a report June 11 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting saying "LifeWay is thriving and using all its proceeds to advance Great Commission ministries." by Bob Smietana, Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP)-- During his report at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Baltimore, LifeWay Christian Resources president and CEO Thom S. Rainer introduced an initiative to help churches start 100,000 new small groups, honored two longtime Southern Baptist leaders, and explained LifeWay's decision to sell the Glorieta Conference Center in New Mexico. "LifeWay Christian Resources is committed to make more of a difference today than we did yesterday, and to be more effective tomorrow than we are now," Rainer told messengers. In response to a messenger's question, Rainer relayed a report he'd received from Glorieta 2.0, the Christian camping ministry that bought the conference center from LifeWay last year. Attendance at the center is up this year, he said, and "literally tens of thousands will be reached for the Gospel." John Yarbrough, a messenger from First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Texas, owns a … [Read more...]
Louisiana College Placed on Probation by SACSCOC; Maintains Full Accreditation
PINEVILLE – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has placed Louisiana College on probation because of issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7). The announcement comes following a vote of the accrediting agency’s Board of Trustees at their annual June meeting in San Antonio, Texas. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” said Dr. Argile Smith, President pro tempore. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The decision by SACSCOC does not change the status of Louisiana College as a fully accredited school. Louisiana College has been continuously accredited since 1925. In fact, the accrediting agency reaffirmed Louisiana College’s accreditation in December 2013. The faculty has worked diligently to maintain and exceed the standards set by … [Read more...]
Louisiana College placed on probation by SACSCOC; maintains accreditation
PINEVILLE -- The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states, has placed Louisiana College on probation according to a news release issued by the school June 19. SACSCOC, voted to sanction LC due to “issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7),” according to the statement. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” Argile Smith, President pro tempore,” was quoted in the release. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The probationary status in no way affects the current accreditation of LC. “The school has been continuously accredited since 1925,” the LC press release noted. In Dec. 2013 SACSCOC removed LC from a two-year warning status and … [Read more...]
State pastors gather for a day of prayer, reflection in Lafayette
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 13:10 A pastor kneels to pray at First Baptist Lafayette. Nearly 80 pastors and other Louisiana Baptists gathered for a day of prayer, which Louisiana Baptist Convention President Steve Horn called to take place. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – If revival is to come, it must start with God’s people humbling themselves and praying for repentance, one Louisiana Baptist pastor said at a recent prayer gathering. “No revival has taken place apart from prayer,” Philip Robertson prayed. “I want to see our nation experience a mighty move of God. “Maybe, just maybe, God is getting ready to send the breeze but maybe he’s waiting because he sees our sails aren’t raised,” continued Robertson, who serves as pastor of Philadelphia Baptist in Deville. “Let’s say ‘God bring me to the place where I can set my sails so when the winds of revival come, I’ll be ready.” The called day of prayer at First Baptist Lafayette drew 77 pastors and other Louisiana Baptists from throughout the state. Throughout the day those in attendance worshiped through a few songs and enjoyed fellowship but primarily prayed individually, with one another in pairs, around tables and out loud with … [Read more...]
LC placed on probation by SACS; maintains accreditation
By Kelly Boggs, Editor The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states, has placed Louisiana College on probation, according to a news release issued by the school June 19. SACSCOC voted to sanction LC due to “issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7),” according to the statement. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” Argile Smith, President pro tempore was quoted in the release. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The probationary status in no way affects the current accreditation of LC. “The school has been continuously accredited since 1925,” the LC press release noted. In December 2013 SACSCOC removed LC from a two-year warning … [Read more...]
Churches band together to help youth seriously injured at camp
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 13:17 Karlee Richards, a member of Searcy Baptist Church in Jena, has already undergone seven surgeries to repair extensive injuries to her legs and back after falling 70 feet to the ground while using a zip line. Three churches in Jena have banded together to support her and her family. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JENA – A group of churches is coming together to help a Louisiana Baptist youth who was seriously injured while zip lining at a Missouri camp in early June. And with prayers and an outpouring of support from others throughout the state, Richards and her family have hope for a faster-than-expected recovery. The accident occurred in early June, when Karlee Richards and other fellow members of the Searcy Baptist youth group were attending a Student Life Camp atWindermere Baptist Conference Center in Roach, Mo. Richards was in the process of using the zip line when she fell 70 feet to the ground, causing extensive injuries to her legs and back. In fact, the incident was so traumatic for the students who witnessed the fall that they find it difficult to discuss what happened, said Reid Terry, pastor of Searcy Baptist Church in Trout. Richards was … [Read more...]