One of the services of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation is to keep Louisiana Baptists informed about tax laws in regard to charitable giving. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation exists to help you be a good steward of God’s resources. As a good steward you should “render unto Caesar” – only – what is required for you to render and not more. One of the services of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation is to keep Louisiana Baptists informed about tax laws in regard to charitable giving. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation exists to help you be a good steward of God’s resources. As a good steward you should “render unto Caesar”  – only – what is required for you to render and not more. In the year you turn 70 ½, and each year thereafter, you are required to take a minimum distribution from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and pay income tax on those distributions. Congress recently passed the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA ‘06), which primarily affects pension plans but also contains a change that affects charitable giving from IRA’s. Through the PPA ’06, President Bush and Congress have provided a tax break on your IRA distributions when they are directed to a church or a charity. This break is … [Read more...]

Fixing its focus on historic New Testament and Baptist doctrine to guide students in the tasks of world missions and evangelism, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will not knowingly endorse contemporary charismatic practices such as a private prayer language nor hire professors who advocate the practice, according to a statement issued by trustees Oct. 17. FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--Fixing its focus on historic New Testament and Baptist doctrine to guide students in the tasks of world missions and evangelism, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will not knowingly endorse contemporary charismatic practices such as a private prayer language nor hire professors who advocate the practice, according to a statement issued by trustees Oct. 17. Earlier this semester one of the seminary’s new trustees preached a chapel message in which he defended the practice of a private prayer language. In an Aug. 29 sermon, Texas pastor Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, took issue with the International Mission Board policy refusing to appoint missionary candidates who engage in the contemporary neo-charismatic practice. SWBTS President Paige Patterson, in the midst of what he told … [Read more...]

In a five-page letter Oct. 16, Texas pastor Dwight McKissic set forth his opposition to a planned vote by SWBTS trustees to disassociate the institution from Pentecostal/charismatic doctrines and practices such as a private prayer language. FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--In a five-page letter Oct. 16, Texas pastor Dwight McKissic set forth his opposition to a planned vote by SWBTS trustees to disassociate the institution from Pentecostal/charismatic doctrines and practices such as a private prayer language. “My conscience and biblical convictions necessitate that I vote against our president’s recommendation,” McKissic, a new trustee, wrote in reference to SWBTS President Paige Patterson. When trustees voted Oct. 17, McKissic registered the lone opposing vote to the SWBTS stance. McKissic stated in the letter that he intends to maintain his friendship with Patterson, expressing ongoing appreciation for the Southern Baptist Convention’s conservative resurgence of which Patterson was a part. But, he asserted, the stance recommended by Patterson and the trustees’ executive committee will tell “potential faculty, administrators, students, donors, and the entire Southern Baptist family ... … [Read more...]

For the first time since the Baptist Golf Fellowship organized 25 years ago, golfers gathered in the Monroe area to test the waters of a different course. MONROE – For the first time since the Baptist Golf Fellowship organized 25 years ago, golfers gathered in the Monroe area to test the waters of a different course. Frenchman’s Bend Golf and Country Club was the setting for the recently-held fall tournament. Medalist play took place Monday and a four-man scramble on Tuesday. Churches from many parts of the state sent clergy and laymen curious to check out a new course. Kelly Boggs, Wayne Taylor, Bob Braly, Bill Penny, Robert Spicer and Jerry Love of the golf committee were in charge of arrangements for the two-day event. The first day of play ended with an awards banquet at North Monroe  Baptist Church. Perry Hancock of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Rick Byargeon of Louisiana College gave “infomercials” at the banquet prior to trophy and door prize presentations. Gift certificates from the pro-shop were the mainstay of prizes given by the Baptist Message and Louisiana Baptist Foundation, sponsors of the tournament. Mike Thompson of West Monroe presented … [Read more...]

This time, when it comes to Southern accents, Hollywood gets it right. ALBANY — This time, when it comes to Southern accents, Hollywood gets it right. But that’s not as much due to the credit of a Hollywood studio focusing on stereotypical speech patterns as much as it is to the Deep South producers who made the critically-acclaimed Facing The Giants. In fact, not only are those real Southern accents behind the voices of the actors, those are real flesh-and-blood Southerners – not professional actors – who stepped up to the plate –  gridiron – to bring the feel-good faith-based movie to the silver screen. The national rollout in late September of the football-themed movie produced by Sherwood Productions, the media arm of Sherwood Baptist Church involved 435 screens nationwide, including several in Louisiana. The success had Hollywood watching closely, and in its aftermath, Twentieth Century Fox announced the launch of its movie distribution label targeting the Christian community. The fact that a south Georgia church made a feature-length film, using one camera and an all-volunteer cast – for $100,000 – is a miracle in itself. For that movie to catch the attention of Hollywood and … [Read more...]

Filmed on a shoestring budget using volunteers from a Southern Baptist church, the inspirational movie Facing the Giants racked up enough success in its first two weekends that one major newspaper labeled it “miraculous.” ALBANY, Ga. (BP)--Filmed on a shoestring budget using volunteers from a Southern Baptist church, the inspirational movie Facing the Giants racked up enough success in its first two weekends that one major newspaper labeled it “miraculous.” The squeaky-clean PG movie passed the $3 million gross mark Oct. 12, which already makes it a success story for a film that cost only $100,000 to make. And while $3 million is mere change by Hollywood standards, the movie has more than held its own in the theaters where it has been shown. It finished 12th among all movies on opening weekend, but an amazing fifth on an average-per-screen tally ($3,046) among the Top 20 movies, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. In its second weekend, Facing the Giants ended up 14th among all movies and was ninth on a per-screen average ($2,407) among Top 20 movies, according to the website. By comparison, MGM’s “School for Scoundrels” cost $35 million to make and finished fourth on opening weekend while … [Read more...]

Potpourri BREAUX BRIDGE – First church:  The Harrells in concert; Oct. 29, 10:15 a.m. followed by dinner on the grounds; Rod Jackson, pastor. EUNICE – Acadian camp:  Winter Bible study; Nov. 9, 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Roger Tarver, coordinator; for information, call 337-457-9047; James Newsom, camp manager. FOREST HILL – Calvary church:  Community singing; Oct. 28, 6 p.m.; Joel McMickin, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Riverside church:  “What is True Christianity?” conference sponsored by Eastern Louisiana association; Nov. 6, 1 p.m. with last session starting at 6:30 p.m.; Kenneth Minkema, Caleb Maskell and Dan Holcomb, conference leaders; free of charge/everyone welcomed; supper break 4:30-6:30 p.m./meal not provided; David Brown, director of missions; Larry Hubbard, evangelism team director/pastor. BATON ROUGE – Florida Boulevard church:  Mark Schultz and Big Daddy Weave in concert; Nov. 12, 6 p.m.; $12 per ticket/$15 at the door; for ticket information visit the website at www.fbbc.org; Stephen Trammell, pastor. JONESVILLE – Lismore church:  “Women of Vision” conference sponsored by East Central association and all area churches; Nov. 4, 7:45 a.m. registration – 3:30 p.m.; Simone Monroe and Diana … [Read more...]

This is the last in a series of articles about pastors’ wives. The series, which lasted through the month of October, was designed to honor the women who provide the undergirding support that enables pastors to be effective in their ministry. Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of articles about pastors’ wives. The series, which lasted through the month of October, was designed to honor the women who provide the undergirding support that enables pastors to be effective in their ministry. Standing ready to help HAGEWOOD – When her husband, pastor at Coldwater Baptist here, awoke one morning unable to speak, Beverly Ford took it in stride, just as she’s done with so many other of life’s hurdles. Not long after being called to Coldwater Baptist, the church asked that the couple take on the pastorate full time, giving up Pastor Ford’s second job as a logger. “When he went full-time, she stood behind him, regardless,” said David Matlock, associate pastor at Coldwater Baptist. “It was a truly big step to go from having a job that she knew would provide, to going into truly trusting the Lord.” Financial stability is one thing. Needy or ailing loved ones is another hurdle altogether, … [Read more...]

The 18th annual Youth Evangelism Celebration – YEC – the largest event produced by the Louisiana Baptist Convention, is scheduled for Nov. 19-21 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. ALEXANDRIA – The 18th annual Youth Evangelism Celebration – YEC – the largest event produced by the Louisiana Baptist Convention, is scheduled for Nov. 19-21 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. Tony Noland, band pastor for the Casting Crowns musical group and a gospel communicator who has seen thousands make decisions for Christ, is the featured speaker. Musical artists are SPUR58, the worship band for the event, and Building 429, who recently toured with Casting Crowns. In addition, performances by Clear Vision Drama Co. and Lou Leventhal, an illusionist, are slated for the event. “YEC is designed to equip, empower and encourage today’s teenager,” said Kevin Boles, LBC’s Youth Ministry Strategist. In addition, the event is a great “front-door experience” for teenagers who don’t have a relationship with God, he aded. “They’ll hear the gospel in amazing ways and numerous times,” Boles said.  The average attendance for YEC is a little more than 5,000, he said. The face of youth evangelism – and parenting for … [Read more...]

In 1936, several families began meeting together at their homes for Bible study, prayer, and singing. Believing that there needed to be a Christian witness on the north side of Bastrop, Cherry Ridge Baptist Church was organized, Alice Wallace reports. BASTROP – In 1936, several families began meeting together at their homes for Bible study, prayer, and singing. Believing that there needed to be a Christian witness on the north side of Bastrop, Cherry Ridge Baptist Church was organized, Alice Wallace reports. On October 29, Cherry Ridge will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with Homecoming and Dinner on the Grounds. The day will begin at 9:45 a.m. with Sunday School. A high attendance goal of 301 has been set for Sunday School. At the 11 a.m. worship service, several former pastors are set to speak, and former staff members will be recognized. Following a pot-luck Dinner on the Grounds, The Patriot Quartet will be in concert at 2:30 p.m.  All former staff members and members are invited to attend this celebration day. HOUMA – Adolphe Stagg Baptist Association of 32 churches and missions soon will be changing its name to the Bayou Baptist Association, reports the associational … [Read more...]