Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:59 A health insurance program for Louisiana Baptist individuals and churches could launch in the near future that its trustees believe could not only save ministers money but extend to cover others outside the state. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director HAMMOND – A health insurance program for Louisiana Baptist individuals and churches could launch in the near future that its trustees believe could not only save ministers money but extend to cover others outside the state. Known as the Koinos Plan, this Baptist Health Benefits Program will be available for Southern Baptist-affiliated ministers and their family members, seminary students and church employees who work 20 or more hours per week. Those participating in the plan – which operates similar to a standard health insurance policy – must sign a statement of faith similar to the Baptist Faith and Message. The trustees hope to launch the plan by Jan. 1, 2013. “I want to commend Baptist Health Benefits Program ("The Koinos Plan") to you as an alternative plan for your health insurance,” emailed Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church of Covington and president of the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

Arrivals/Departures Mike Edens, new as interim pastor of Hebron Baptist in Bush. John Talbert has resigned as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist in Winnfield. Joe Thornton has resigned as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist in Sikes. Brett Campbell has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church of Zwolle. Stacy Morgan, new as transitional pastor of Ferriday First Baptist. James Patrick Deshotel was ordained to the gospel ministry Oct. 28 at Sale Street Baptist in Lake Charles.   Needed/Giving Guitarist or pianist needed for Sunday morning worship at Baldwin Baptist Mission. Pastor: Tony Thibodeaux. Part-time minister of youth and part-time minister of music needed at Woodlawn Baptist in Iowa.  Call 337.802.3238 or email rlouvi2@yahoo.com. Pastor: Richard Louviere. Youth worker needed at First Baptist of Dobson. Call 318.548.2268.Pastor: Travis Hampton.   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals Temple Baptist in Springhill: Revival Nov. 11-14. Speaker: Jack Daniels. Pastor: Jimmy Pitson. First Baptist Ringgold: Revival Nov. 25-27. Guests: Ken Freeman and David Daniels. Pastor: Ronnie Osborne.   Church events/activities Williams Boulevard Baptist in Kenner to host Don Piper, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:10 U.S. Army Chaplain Jared Vineyard and his wife Amanda receive a standing ovation from messengers at the 2012 SBC annual meeting in New Orleans. Capt. Vineyard, a decorated combat veteran, represents the 1,425 NAMB-endorsed chaplains serving in the U.S. military. By Mickey Noah, Baptist Press ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) –They’re coming home. They’ve witnessed death on the battlefield and led soldiers, sailors and Marines to Christ. They’ve baptized converts in water-filled barrels and led worship during rocket attacks. They’ve risked their own lives and sacrificed time away from their families. They are the among the nation’s unsung heroes – military chaplains. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has reported that 33,000 troops involved in the Afghan “surge” have been withdrawn, leaving another 68,000 U.S. troops and their chaplains still scheduled to serve in Afghanistan until December 2014. The last 100,000 troops in Iraq returned home last De­cember. Since 9/11, a total of 2.4 million American military service members – including National Guard and Reserv­ists – have cycled through the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard – some more than … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 11:43 LBC Executive Director David E. Hankins shows a key which is a part of the 200th anniversary of Baptist ministry in Louisiana during the evening session Monday. By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor WEST MONROE – Messengers to the 165th meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention were reminded that they were “the key” to what God is going to do during the next 200 years of ministry in the state. A brass key in the shape of the state of Louisiana was given to every person present Nov. 12 in the worship center at First Baptist Church, better known as “First West,” where John Avant is pastor. David E. Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, directed distribution of the keys as part of the 200th anniversary of Baptist ministry in the state, which took place during the Monday evening session of the LBC’s 165th annual meeting, where 703 messengers representing 267 churches were registered. “You are the key to our future,” Hankins said. “It is our calling to reach Louisiana with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” With a theme of “Refresh: Awaken and Go,” the two-day event was designed to continue the “Awaken – It’s Time” … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 11:49 Steve Horn, messenger and pastor of First Baptist Lafayette, indicated that he appreciated the concern over unity but believed expressing one’s opinion or feelings on a given issue should not be considered disunity. By Staff, Baptist Message WEST MONROE – Messengers to the 2012 annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention affirmed six resolutions, the majority of which dealt with social issues. One addressed the theological significance of a “sinner’s prayer” and another expressed appreciation for the host church, First Baptist Church of West Monroe. The four resolutions that focused on social issues dealt with the protection of religious liberty, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s (ULL) recent offering of a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender academic minor, addressed the effort to equate homosexual marriage with the Civil Rights Movement and called for individuals, churches and the government to exercise financial responsibility. Of the four resolutions that address social issues, perhaps the one hitting closest to home was titled “On University of Louisiana at Lafayette Offering a LGBT Minor” and called on officials of both ULL and the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 12:01 Messengers affirmed six resolutions, including four dealing with social issues, at the Annual Meeting.   On “Same-Sex Marriage” and Civil Rights Rhetoric   WHEREAS, Marriage is a covenant relationship and an institution established by God rather than simply a human social construct (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33); and   WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have consistently affirmed our support of the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman; and   WHEREAS, The Word of God indicates that all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful; and   WHEREAS, All people, regardless of race or sexual preference, are created in the image of God and thus should be treated with dignity and love (Genesis 1:26–27); and   WHEREAS, The Department of Justice has argued (Perry v. Schwarzenegger) that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional claiming that DOMA unfairly discriminates against homosexuals; and   WHEREAS, For the first time in history the President of the United States has publicly voiced his personal support of “same-sex … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 12:05 LBC President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church Covington, proposed a 2020 Commission to help sharpen the LBC's effort in the state during the annual meeting. WEST MONROE – Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church of Covington and president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, proposed at the Nov. 12-13 annual meeting a President's 2020 Commission for the purpose of examining current LBC missions and ministries, and refocusing the state convention’s efforts moving toward the year 2020. “I love this convention,” Bailey told the messengers and guests of the LBC’s 165th annual meeting. “When I think about churches and conventions, we have to think about where we are in the world. The world needs the church, and needs the church to be as effective and efficient as possible. “I do want us to sharpen what we’re doing and make sure we are using all the resources God has given us in the best way possible,” Bailey continued. “Not only that we’re doing the right thing but in the right way.” The Commission will consist of 20 teams of 20 people to be selected by the end of the year to work together on a seven-year strategy for the Louisiana … [Read more...]

WEST MONROE – A popular game show uses the line “and the survey says.” During the recent meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in West Monroe, the “survey said” there is great potential and surprising receptivity to reach people for Christ across southern Louisiana. The results of months of telephone surveys across south Louisiana were presented to messengers via video as part of the LBC's Missions and Ministries Team report. The survey showed unexpected openness by people in southern Louisiana to a “come to church with me” invitation by a Southern Baptist. “The Southern Baptist response to Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Gustav, Rita and others has increased the receptivity of those living throughout the southern regions of Louisiana,” said LBC Executive Director, David Hankins. “We are excited about these findings and are strategizing on ways to maximize our opportunities to share Christ in these areas.” Of the people surveyed, 64 percent said they had not been contacted by a member of any church during the previous six months, and 61 percent said they would welcome contact from a Southern Baptist. Furthermore, 54 percent of the people surveyed said they would be willing to attend a Southern Baptist church. “People … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor Thankfully, the founders of the United States were literate. If they had been unable to commit their thoughts to writing, the rabid secular­ists that now infests our great nation would have already succeed­ed in erasing the significant role Christianity played in America’s founding. There is no more poignant reminder of our religious heritage than the national holiday of Thanksgiving. Some historians try to deny the religious motiva­tion for the Pilgrims’ voyage to the New World. However, upon reading the thoughts of these brave adventurers, there is no doubt as to why they left family and friends to under­take such a difficult and dangerous journey. As they prepared to leave their ships and set foot on dry land, the Pilgrims drafted and signed the May­flower Compact. In part, it reads: “In the name of God, Amen, We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sover­eign Lord King James, by the Grace of God ... Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony ....” Given the context in which the Mayflower Com­pact was produced, it is diffi­cult to interpret it as anything but a … [Read more...]

By Paul Brewster, Barlow-Vista Baptist Hampstead, NC Few things reveal the hollowness of American Christianity with any more clarity than the collapse of Thanksgiving. In this age of contention over the role of Christianity in the pub­lic square, Thanksgiving has survived because it has been emptied of its true spiritual and religious significance. Many have deemed it a “secular holiday,” the blatant contradiction built into the linguistic root of “holiday” notwithstanding. Just how far have we moved? One Amazon.com cus­tomer has compiled a list of secular Thanksgiving children’s picture books, to which the customer offers this preface: “It can be difficult for parents and teachers to find picture books that approach Thanksgiving in a secular way. This is a list of titles that do not interpret the holiday in a religious manner. “Although several of these books mention characters being ‘thankful,’ they do not depict anyone say­ing grace/giving thanks to a higher power.” In other words, these books go out of their way to obfuscate the truth about Thanksgiving in America. Of 25 such titles for sale at Ama­zon.com, one is entitled Thank You, Thanksgiving. The title gives away the absurdity of the proposition. If there is no … [Read more...]