Submitted by philip on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 15:07 The Louisiana College Board of Trustees met for two days (March 18-19) at the Granberry Conference Center. The full board is to meet again April 30. By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor PINEVILLE – The Louisiana College Board of Trustees meet in a regularly scheduled session on March 18 -19. Monday was dedicated to the meetings of the Executive Board as well as that of sub-committees. The full board met on Tuesday. Convened in the Granberry Conference Center on the campus of LC, the Tuesday meeting was held in executive session and lasted from 9:00 a.m. to until just before 3:00 p.m. The only information released after the eight hour meeting was that Joe Aguillard remains the president of LC and the board will meet again on April 30 to address the budget and other items of regular business. Though the board meeting was conducted in executive session and attended only by trustees, which is not unusual for the LC board, all media representatives were allowed in Granberry Conference Center, unlike the Feb. 25 meeting when media was not allowed on campus. The closed nature of the meeting coupled with the fact that in the days leading up to the meeting there had been public … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 15:09 By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – A type of scarf hand-made on an Indonesian island that had been hanging on her wall for eight years opened Kay Bennett’s eyes to God leading her into becoming an advocate for people victimized by Human Trafficking. Bennett has been director of the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans since 1997; she worked among the homeless for 10 years before that at the Brantley Center in New Orleans. Bennett also is a spokesperson on Human Trafficking for the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. She told the story of what technically is a “stole” – a scarf-life garment with symbols embroidered on it – during a six-hour seminar in mid-March at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. The Human Trafficking seminar was sponsored by Calvary and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries. “I’ve done thousands of conferences, but I’ve never seen an audience as intense as this one,” said Nelda Seal, event coordinator and a member of the Calvary Woman’s Missionary Union. Seal also is retired as the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s WMU executive director. She spoke of their “rapt … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Criticism is an unavoidable reality for anyone in a position of leadership. “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing,” observed American writer Elbert Hubbard. It is not an option for a leader to do, say and be nothing. As a result, throughout the ages those who have accepted the mantle of leadership have had to, at one time or another, experience the assessment of a critic. Sometimes the criticism is just and, as such, becomes a tool to help shape character which produces a more effective leader. Other times criticism can be unfounded and a leader has to learn how respond without becoming bitter. The Bible is filled with leaders who faced both just and unjust criticism. Moses comes immediately to mind, as does the Apostle Paul. These men were given difficult leadership tasks and sought to be faithful to the Lord. Even so, they were the targets of intense criticism. J. Floyd Franks, the pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Killeen, Texas, for more than 30 years, was one of my mentors. He taught me to keep things in perspective when it came to dealing with critics. He would say, “When criticism and praise affect you the same way, then – and only then – are you … [Read more...]

Editors note: Scott Culpepper contacted the Baptist Message and stated that in his view our news article, Situation at Louisiana College Unfolds, March 12, 2013, implied that he wanted to “see Reformed theology dominate Louisiana College.”  Culpepper stated that his concern is with the leadership of Dr. Aguillard as Louisiana College’s President. The Baptist Message did not in its reporting of the issue intend to ascribe any particular motivation behind Culpepper’s actions or opinions but merely reported the facts surrounding the issues and persons involved.”   To the Editor I wanted to respond to the article you recently published on the situation at Louisiana College (Situation at Louisiana College Unfolds, March 12, 2013). The article implies that my expression of concern about the issues at Louisiana College was motivated by a desire to see Reformed theology dominate Louisiana College. It is impossible for me to state in quantifiable measures how little I care about seeing Reformed theology become dominant in any Baptist school, including Louisiana College.  This debate over “Calvinism” is a ridiculous sideshow distracting from more important issues that should concern us all. I believe Joe Aguillard … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, NOBTS Question: What are the seven mortal sins, and where can I find them in the Bible? Bill Warren responds: The term “mortal sins” historically refers most often to cardinal sins, sins that were the source of all other sins. Starting in the fourth century, a list of seven cardinal sins was developed that became popular in the Middle Ages, with a corresponding list of virtues. Dante’s work, The Divine Comedy, gives the listing of the seven cardinal sins most commonly used in Western culture: lust (virtue = chastity), gluttony (temperance), greed (charity), sloth (diligence), wrath (patience), envy (kindness), and pride (humility). The concept of mortal sins versus venial sins developed later, with the difference being that some sins were more serious (mortal) than others (venial). Of course, all sins are serious in that they flow from being self-centered rather than God-centered and separate us from God and from one another, with an image-of-God-destroying impact on us and often hurtful consequences on those around us. Any and all sin is undesirable and to be avoided as we seek be faithful to God, not just so-called mortal sins. So are these seven sins listed together in the Bible? No, they … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, NOBTS Thursday night before being crucified, Jesus celebrates a Passover meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, according to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). This meal was a longtime tradition as the Jewish people looked back on the event that propelled them out of their slavery in Egypt under the power of Pharaoh and forward into a future that shaped them into the people they were and are to this very day. They became a distinct people in many ways as a result of the Passover event and what followed as they went through the trials and struggles in their wanderings, which culminated in them coming into a promised land. Later, under David, they would make plans for a central worship setting in Jerusalem, with the temple being built by Solomon, later destroyed in 587/586 B.C., and then rebuilt when the time of exile ended, with extensive improvements undertaken by Herod the Great. So Jesus and his disciples gathered in Jerusalem where the temple stood to celebrate the Passover meal and remember how God had freed his people from Egypt. But was it indeed a Passover meal? Some have questioned whether or not the meal that Thursday night was a Passover meal in light of the emphasis in John. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 15:17 Fred Luter speaks to African-American pastors and church leaders in North Carolina. By Shawn Hendricks, Baptist Press PLEASANT GARDEN, N.C. (BP) – Speaking to a group of mostly African-American pastors and church leaders, Fred Luter Jr. recently voiced both encouragement and concerns regarding a few issues Southern Baptists face today. Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), spoke at a breakfast that preceded the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s 2013 State Evangelism Conference at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church in Pleasant Garden, N.C. The first African-American to be elected as SBC president, Luter talked about everything from Calvinism to pastors standing up against societal pressures on issues such as gay marriage. He also encouraged them to join the 1% Challenge that encourages all Southern Baptist churches to consider a 1 percent-of-budget increase in Cooperative Program giving. “I’ve been a part of [the Southern Baptist] convention for 26 years,” Luter said. “This is not a perfect convention, but ... I would put this convention up to any in the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director PINEVILLE – “When we adopted CCA last July we were stepping into a ministry strictly by faith,” said Doyle Hoychick, pastor of Trinity Baptist. “We had no understanding of what it took to run a school, what impact the school would have on us as a congregation and what impact we could have on the school and Christian education. “That led to the one-year lease, but as a church we have been truly blessed with CCA as a part of our ministry,” Hoychick continued. “The school board, administration and the teachers have been gracious to us and conscious of our other ministries. Knowing this was of God, we took the step for the parents, teachers, staff and community to know CCA has a home at Trinity Baptist Church.” The news of the 10-year lease between church and school is just the latest in a series of positive developments for CCA, which has been at Trinity Baptist since July 2012, a few months after the school relocated from Journey Church. CCA leaders learned in May 2012 that the school did not fit the long-term plans of Journey Church, its original home since 2006. The school’s board of trustees – which includes Hoychick and members of Trinity Baptist – recently approved a tuition … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 15:21 By Jerry Love, LBF Communications The Bible is clear on the importance of giving. Scripture contains more verses on giving than in any other area of obedience. Some would say that a person’s testimony in giving is a true measure of the strength of their relationship with Christ. Even outside the church there is an understanding that giving is both a reflection of the best parts of who we are and the key to the most important work we will accomplish as neighbors and in our communities. At the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, our belief in the value of philanthropy, generosity and stewardship is much more than philosophical. The following information reveals some very practical and creative ways to give to your church or a favorite ministry.  Some of these methods take advantage of provisions in our tax code and can provide for your family, church and ministry as ways you never anticipated. Outright Gifts The most basic gift is a transfer of an asset directly to the ministry you select. These outright gifts can be made in a number of ways: cash, securities, real estate, or personal property. The most common way to make an immediate gift is by … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications As you begin to plan your estate including gifts to ministry, consider incorporating some these ideas or concepts in your gift planning. Giving Appreciated Assets Appreciated assets are those possessions which have “appreciated” or increased in value over time. The most common examples of these assets would be real estate, stocks and other securities. If the owner sells this type of asset, capital gains tax is then due on the “profit” or appreciated amount. By donating the appreciated asset to a ministry organization (instead of selling and giving the cash proceeds) the donor can avoid the capital gains tax. Giving appreciated assets can fulfill the charitable desires of the donor while not impeding their normal cash flow. Appreciated assets can be given outright to a charitable organization or they can be used to fund a variety of different gift arrangements. Tithing Your Estate Tithing is a basic Christian tenant of stewardship. Tithing your estate at the end of a lifetime devoted to Christian stewardship and service is an appropriate testimony for believers. Even the faithful lifetime tither may never have tithed on an appreciated asset such as real estate, securities, or … [Read more...]