LAKE CHARLES – The Third District Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of a lower court in a lawsuit filed by “alumni and financial supporters of Louisiana College” related to the legality of the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard as president of Lousiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor LAKE CHARLES – The Third District Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of a lower court in a lawsuit filed by “alumni and financial supporters of Louisiana College” related to the legality of the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard as president of Lousiana College. The appellate court ruled the January 2005 election was legal. In their written decision, the appellate judges focused on two issues: mandamus and money. The plaintiff’s first point was that the trial court erred when it did not issue a writ of mandamus, the appellate judges wrote. The plaintiff’s second point was that it should not have to pay for unnecessary expert testimony called by the defense. “Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy which is used sparingly by the courts,” the appellate justices wrote. “Further, mandamus is to be used only when there is a clear and specific legal right to be enforced or a … [Read more...]

MONROE – The post-Easter season often means relaxing on the porch, barbecuing on the grill and spending time on the beach for Louisianans. But for Pam Jones, the season’s main focus is Bible Drill. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE – The post-Easter season often means relaxing on the porch, barbecuing on the grill and spending time on the beach for Louisianans. But for Pam Jones, the season’s main focus is Bible Drill. Next month, several children and teens from First Baptist Church in Monroe will compete in the state Bible Drill competition. The Northeast Louisiana church on May 2 will host one of seven Children’s Drills across the state. “Bible Drill gives our children and youth a good foundation and excellent tool to hide God’s Word in their heart,” said Jones, children’s director at First Baptist. Since mid-September, the church’s participants have practiced each week to prepare for Bible Drill. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders practice on Wednesday afternoons while seventh, eighth and ninth graders rehearse on Sunday afternoons. Their instructors utilize music, games and puzzles to help the children and youth memorize verses and books of the Bible. “We use any way we can that helps … [Read more...]

KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90 minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring high. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90 minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring high. Inside, a modified Gothic feel, with beautifully intricate stained glass windows and an unusual bulletin: Typical info on the back cover; order of service on the front. This left the inside pages for sermon notes. First Kentwood is a strong, substantial church – about 325 attend Sunday worship – with apparently excellent programs for each age group, as evidenced by the children’s sermon given by Chinero Fowler. Each child was given a Hershey’s kiss to keep or give away, their choice, and Fowler gave them time to run through the worship center if the youngsters wanted to give them away. When the youngsters reassembled on the steps to the pulpit, she made sure everyone was happy with the choice they made (it was about 50/50 keep or share). Then the surprise: Those who gave … [Read more...]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. By Martin King NAMB Staff Writer ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. Speaking to nearly 200 NAMB staff members at NAMB’s Atlanta-area offices, Reccord said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, with “mixed emotions.” “I am thankful for the countless numbers of people we have seen come to Christ and the thousands of churches we have seen planted and nurtured,” he said. “On the other hand, I regret we were not able to complete a number of things we have started or dreamed about. I regret that events of recent weeks have created an environment which makes it difficult to lead the organization and to stay on mission.” The events Reccord referred to resulted from a lengthy article two months ago in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The article led to an investigation by NAMB’s board of … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. By Russ Rankin Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. According to the Annual Church Profile (ACP), information gathered by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, baptisms last year dropped from 387,947 to 371,850, or -4.15 percent. “Southern Baptists should view this report as a wakeup call,” Rainer said, noting that the totals for baptisms dropped to the lowest since 1993. “We must focus our efforts, prayers and resources on reaching people for Christ. “Baptism is the outward act of obedience that pictures God’s work of redemption in a believer’s life, and so for Southern Baptists the ACP figures indicate we are faltering in our efforts to reach a lost world.” There was growth in … [Read more...]

Week of April 24, 2006 Ledford named LifeWay Stores’ top manager OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BP) – Janet Ledford has been named 2005 LifeWay Christian Resources store manager of the year. Described by her employees as a person who has high standards for excellence, a passion for people and a penchant for laughter, Ledford said her favorite part of the job is ministering to those inside the store walls. “When I took [the discipleship study] ‘Experiencing God,’ I learned to join God where He is already at work,” Ledford said. “I have tried to put this in practice in my life, doing my part, and being part of something bigger.” Annually, LifeWay Christian Stores selects the store manager of the year based on financial criteria, customer feedback, professional accomplishments and contributions to LifeWay as an organization. A division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, LifeWay Christian Stores operates 126 retail outlets across the nation. Breakout sessions added to Pastors’ Conference GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Attendees to this year’s SBC Pastors’ Conference in Greensboro, N.C., will experience something different – breakout sessions. For the first time, a series of … [Read more...]

Week of April 24, 2006 By Rhonda Havens Section Editor Potpourri WEST MONROE – Fair Park church: Young Harmony in concert; May 6, 7 p.m.; Waymond Warren, pastor. LEESVILLE – East Leesville church: “Walking Worthy” ladies conference; May 6, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.;  Gwen “Ms. Chocolate” Williams, guest speaker; lunch provided; to register, call (337) 239-3733 or DeLain Prewitt at (337) 238-1043; Gil Arthur, pastor. LONGVILLE – First church: Tom Lester, played “Ed” on the TV show Green Acres, guest speaker; May 7, 10:45 a.m.; Stuart Graves, pastor. EUNICE – Acadian Center: “Wearing of the Plaid” senior adult luncheon; May 9, 10 a.m.; Steve Horn, guest speaker; Mark Tullos, music; RSVP by May 2, wear Scottish attire; call (318) 457-9047; James Newsom, camp manager. PINEVILLE –    Kingsville church:  Extravagant Grace in concert; May 6, 7 p.m.; $10 per person; sponsored by the BCM at LSU-A; Wayne Jenkins, interim pastor. LIBUSE – Philadelphia church:  Spring banquet featuring Dennis “The Swan” Swanburg; May 5, 6:30 p.m.; $8 per person, $3 for children up to 6th grade; to register, call (318) 442-0754; Philip Robertson, pastor. Youth START – Start church: “Youth Explosion” revival; May 7, 11 … [Read more...]

PHOENIX (BP) – Churches can support proposed constitutional marriage amendments without any fear of losing their tax-exempt status, an attorney with a religious liberty organization says. By Michael Foust Baptist Press PHOENIX (BP) – Churches can support proposed constitutional marriage amendments without any fear of losing their tax-exempt status, an attorney with a religious liberty organization says. Seven states are scheduled to vote on marriage amendments this year, and conservatives in two others – Arizona and Colorado – are gathering signatures with the goal of being added to that list. Gary McCaleb, senior counsel with the Christian legal group Alliance Defense Fund, said pastors can voice support for the amendments from the pulpit and churches can assist in petition drives without fear of reprisal from the Internal Revenue Service. “In respect to their Internal Revenue Service tax exemption, they have a lot of liberty and leeway to support a ballot initiative,” McCaleb told Baptist Press. “As long as what they do is an insubstantial amount of their total budget, they’re pretty much free to do whatever they want in support or opposition to the ballot initiative.” Various courts have … [Read more...]