One of the oldest Christian music expressions may again become one of the hottest – if the term “hot” can be applied to hymns. One of the oldest Christian music expressions may again become one of the hottest – if the term “hot” can be applied to hymns. In the coming months, several top Christian artists will release their own unique versions of classic hymns. Folk rockers Jars of Clay and Ashley Cleveland, MercyMe leader Bart Millard, and urban sister trio Out of Eden all are rolling out their first recordings of hymns. Amy Grant is releasing her second such project. In recent years, hymns have been the almost exclusive domain of singers such as Bill Gaither and Andy Griffith, who appealed to a decidedly older audience. But with the worship music craze hitting a saturation point and churchgoers desiring more lyrical depth in their worship, hymns seem poised to retake a respected place among all age groups. Veteran artist Fernando Ortega has included hymns on each of his recordings, blending them with his own songs. He says he finds a richness and history in them that is absent from more modern music. “They connect the church to our own history,” Ortega notes. “These were songs that people … [Read more...]

Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004 show a reversal in recent downward trends in key categories such as baptisms and membership. Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004 show a reversal in recent downward trends in key categories such as baptisms and membership. These are “encouraging signs that the denomination may be heading in the right direction,” said President James Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. “I think there is a lot we can take from these statistics that is positive and shows a turnaround from where we’ve been the past three years,” Draper said. “The increase in baptisms is slight, but an increase of more than 10,000 over the previous year is encouraging.” Annual Church Profile information gathered by LifeWay  show that baptisms in the national convention totaled 387,947 in 2004, compared to the 377,357 for 2003, which marked a fourth consecutive year of decline. Draper noted that the current convention emphasis on baptizing 1 million people during 2005 was not initiated until last summer’s annual meeting in Indianapolis and only allowed churches who accepted the … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist women received a “taste of heaven” during the recent annual state Woman’s Missionary Union meeting. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Louisiana Baptist women received a “taste of heaven” during the recent annual state Woman’s Missionary Union meeting. “What’s on our hearts is missions,” said Cindy Townsend, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of women’s missions and ministries. “That’s what this (meeting) is all about. ... We’re going to think missions.” Townsend spoke on Friday evening, the first of three sessions held at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. The LBC women’s missions and ministry office estimated that  600 persons registered for the annual meeting, which featured testimonies, reports, music and interpretations on the “God’s Circle of Love Is Open” theme. Among the highlights of the Friday session were a processional of world flags carried into the church sanctuary by Louisiana WMU college scholarship recipients and a processional of pastors and missions leaders detailing their church or organization’s missions involvement. The meeting also featured tributes to Lynn Clayton, editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message newspaper, and Ed Jelks, LBC Mission Church … [Read more...]

When Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 39, quietly strode toward Nazi prison gallows as the Second World War neared its end, he could hardly have known that 60 years later, his life, memory and legacy would remain the subject of keen debate and fascination – not to mention outright reverence. When Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 39, quietly strode toward Nazi prison gallows as the Second World War neared its end, he could hardly have known that 60 years later, his life, memory and legacy would remain the subject of keen debate and fascination – not to mention outright reverence. Indeed, since his April 9, 1945, execution for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Bonhoeffer has become something of a universal – and utterly rare – phenomenon. He is one of the few theologians to have his life dramatized in films and plays. He has been the subject of documentaries and numerous biographies. However, perhaps most importantly, Bonhoeffer is one of the few 20th-century Christian figures whose writings continue to be read, quoted and appropriated by liberal and conservative Christians alike. In that sense, Bonhoeffer has been likened to a kind of theological “Rorschach test,” as the liberal theologian Harvey Cox once … [Read more...]

Florida Marlins pitcher Tim Spooneybarger and Chris Lane are standing at a practice facility talking about family, dogs and the condition of Spooneybarger’s arm, which still hurts after two years of rehabilitation. Florida Marlins pitcher Tim Spooneybarger and Chris Lane are standing at a practice facility talking about family, dogs and the condition of Spooneybarger’s arm, which still hurts after two years of rehabilitation. The time comes for Spooneybarger to get in some pitching work, so he’s about to leave. However, before he does, Lane grabs the pitcher’s arm and prays – “Father, please help Tim pitch without pain. In Jesus’ name, amen.” It is a quick prayer, but it communicates Lane’s concern for the player. As team chaplain for the Marlins, Lane says he knows how much the spiritual development of many players depends on him. “They need somebody to really pour into them and feed them,” Lane says. “They are used to getting everything. They’re used to having everybody wait on them and everything handed to them. They don’t want to make a whole lot of effort on things. “You’ve got to really go the extra mile and really got to challenge them,” Lane explains. A south Florida native, Lane is in his … [Read more...]

Week of April 25, 2005 Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile, Ala., will remain until May 8 instead of closing at the end of April as planned. More than 130,000 persons have visited the exhibit, the largest display of Dead Sea Scrolls ever in the United States. The turnout led exhibitors to add two weeks to the display run. The exhibit hall is running at about 90 percent to 95 percent capacity almost every hour of the day. For ticket information, call (877) 377-7469. Marriage ruling The Oregon Supreme Court recently ruled that marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples last year are invalid, while refusing to take up the issue of civil unions. The Oregon case began in March 2004 when Multnomah County – the state’s most populous county – began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state refused to recognize the licenses and said they were invalid. Liberal and homosexual activist groups then sued the state, seeking recognition of the licenses, which numbered more than 3,000. They also requested that same-sex marriages be legalized statewide. The controversy sparked a grassroots movement to pass a constitutional marriage amendment in Oregon banning … [Read more...]

Though I appreciate the spirit with which our Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, David Hankins, has explained his request, I do not support the idea that the Louisiana Baptist Message would move back under state Executive Board structure and authority. Though I appreciate the spirit with which our Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, David Hankins, has explained his request, I do not support the idea that the Louisiana Baptist Message would move back under state Executive Board structure and authority. Were the state paper nothing more than a public relations instrument for the Executive Board, this would make sense. In fact, the Baptist Message serves purposes beyond state convention public relations. Baptists of Louisiana want a paper they can count on as a balanced and reliable source of news and information. Not only do they want this, they NEED this. After all, for Baptist polity to work as intended, Baptist Christians and churches must be informed. This happens best when the state paper has the freedom to tell all sides of the story. We want timely information about what’s coming up. We want inspiring stories about good things that happen. We also want fair reporting when … [Read more...]

In 1990, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee fired Baptist Press editors Al Shackleford and Dan Martin because they would not stop writing articles about the fundamentalist takeover effort; they could not be controlled. In 1990, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee fired Baptist Press editors Al Shackleford and Dan Martin because they would not stop writing articles about the fundamentalist takeover effort; they could not be controlled. The Executive    Committee took over the Baptist Press, and it became a public relations organ for the SBC.  We, the people, lost our hope for objective reporting from the official news agency of the SBC. In an article in the April 13th issue of the Baptist Message (“LBC leader urges key change for Baptist Message”), Louisiana Baptists hear echoes of the SBC action. Executive Director David Hankins is proposing to “take over” the Baptist Message. He attempts to justify his actions under the guise of “leadership” and “fiscal responsibility.” Hankins argues his action is not about control but leadership. Yet, he threatens to proceed with his plans regardless of what Baptist Message trustees decide and to de-fund the paper if they do not yield to … [Read more...]

The Terri Shiavo tragedy threw an exceedingly bright spotlight upon a dilemma that countless families across our nation face everyday – to what extent should a family go to sustain the life of a person who is considered “terminally” ill or is unable to care for one’s basic requirements of life? The Terri Shiavo tragedy threw an exceedingly bright spotlight upon a dilemma that countless families across our nation face everyday – to what extent should a family go to sustain the life of a person who is considered “terminally” ill or is unable to care for one’s basic requirements of life? And who makes such decisions? Ideally, the person’s whose life is at stake should make these decisions. But as was the case with Terri Shaivo, the person is not always able to articulate his or her wishes at the time the actual decisions must be made. There is a way one can communicate his or her wishes, and that is by prayerfully deciding before the crisis arrives and, then, clearly constructing documents that make clear that wish.  That is why, in this issue, the Baptist Message staff has gathered information and forms to help anyone without such documents prepare them. Three different times in my life, I have had … [Read more...]

The scene at the recent state Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston was one Ed Jelks may never forget. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter The scene at the recent state Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston was one Ed Jelks may never forget. During the meeting’s last session, Jelks was recognized for serving 25 years as director of the Louisiana Baptist Church Builders, an organization that constructs buildings for mission churches and organizations at a low cost. One by one, pastors and church leaders who were impacted by the Baptist Builders walked on stage, signing their name on the roof of a miniature church. The church was constructed by a team of Baptist Builders on the stage as Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Ministry and Missions Ministry Director Cindy Townsend interviewed Jelks about his involvement with the ministry. Then, as persons made their way onto the stage, women held candles throughout the sanctuary, while the song “Go Light Your World” played in the background. At the same time, other individuals formed a prayer circle around Jelks. However, those expressing … [Read more...]