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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

So – how far do your ‘missions arms’ reach these days?

October is designated as Cooperative Program Month in the Southern Baptist Convention. The following commentary is presented in support of that emphasis. There is a scene in the movie "Dave" in which the lead character demonstrates an hydraulic tool used at a factory.   Once positioning himself properly, the character is able to move his arms and have the vastly-extended metal arms of the tool mirror those movements.   As he does so, he looks at those viewing the display and jokingly moves his own arms apart, while saying, "I once caught a fish this big!"   Of course, the viewing crowd laughs as the arms of the machine spread out to three or four times the width that the man’s own arms indicate. It is a clever scene.   It also is a fitting way to describe the ongoing impact of the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program.   Ask the average Southern Baptist how far his or her missions arms will reach.   Perhaps you will find one who has considerable experience, someone who can talk about volunteer trips taken to other parts of the United States or to other countries.   More often than not, you probably will find someone who may have taken one trip … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

For the week of October 14, 2004 North Korean measure   The U.S. Congress has passed the North Korean Human Rights Act, providing final congressional approval for legislation to aid people living under one of the world’s most repressive regimes. The bill was approved by the House and Senate without opposition - and President George Bush is expected to sign it into law. North Korea is one of eight governments labeled by the State Department as a severe violator of religious freedom. The new legislation establishes the position of special envoy for North Korean human rights and calls for U.S. negotiations with the regime to be tied to human rights progress. It also authorizes the president to provide funds for nonprofit groups in order to advance human rights and democracy in the country and seeks to assure increased protection for North Korean refugees. A Southern Baptist spokesperson applauded the bill as a victory for "millions of suffering North Koreans."   Missions worker attack   Southern Baptist worker Patsy Dietz is in good condition after being shot during a robbery in Honduras. Dietz and her husband, Raymond, have served as North Carolina Baptists’ on-site partnership … [Read more...]

Cooperative Program demonstrates its remarkable resilience

The Cooperative Program not only proves its incredible value in Kingdom work year after year, it demonstrates remarkable resilience as well. The Cooperative Program not only proves its incredible value in Kingdom work year after year, it demonstrates remarkable resilience as well.   For more than twenty-five years, a controversy of theology, ideology, philosophy, style and control has been strongly present in the Southern Baptist Convention and state conventions. A key element in this controversy has been the kinds of institutions and agencies the Cooperative Program would support.   This controversy has caused at least three state conventions to split, two "alternate" national conventions to form and numerous other battles in every area of Southern Baptist life.   The truly remarkable occurrence in the midst of this controversy is that the Cooperative Program receipts have continued to grow every year. Receipts undoubtedly have not grown as significantly as they would have without the controversy, but they nevertheless have grown.   One would imagine that because of all the diversions and divisions, giving would decrease. Observers of charitable organizations would expect … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

For the week of September 2, 2004 Appreciation of wives   The Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Division has set Sept. 19 as the second annual Ministers’ Wives Appreciation Day in churches across the state. In celebration of that day, leaders have suggested that churches ask Sunday School classes to write notes of appreciation to minister wives, that church recognize the wives during services and that congregations either host a luncheon honoring the service and dedication of the wives or treat them to a nice dinner. In conjunction with the emphasis, the state convention division also has announced plans for the annual Ministers’ Wives Retreat on Oct. 22-23 at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. Speakers, musicians and dramatists are scheduled, as are breakout sessions for participants. Cost is $35 per person. For details on either the upcoming emphasis or the retreat, persons may call (800) 622-6549 or (318) 448-3402.   Parents of the Year   Alvin and Pat Oney have been honored as Cottage Parents of the Year by the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. The annual award is voted on by staff members and is based on a couple’s total contribution to the … [Read more...]

Stay alert to vote on Louisiana’s same-sex marriage amendment

A proposed amendment to the Louisiana Constitution that would ban same-sex marriages or civil unions is bouncing around the state’s court system like a ping-pong ball in a whirlwind. A proposed amendment to the Louisiana Constitution that would ban same-sex marriages or civil unions is bouncing around the state’s court system like a ping-pong ball in a whirlwind. To this point, the legal battles have centered on technicalities rather than intention of substance. Why cannot such matters be simple?   The proposed amendment, overwhelmingly approved by the Louisiana Legislature, would cement the state’s existing law against same-sex marriage into the constitution. It also bans civil unions and recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions recognized in other states.   Presently, the vote on the proposed amendment is set for September 18, but whether or not the vote will actually be on that date, no one knows for sure. As would be expected, there are "issues," predominately political, about having the vote on that date which is the state’s open primary.   Presently, the fate of the proposed amendment rests before the Louisiana Supreme Court. Ah, but it is not that … [Read more...]

True Love Waits marks 10 years of world impact

The 10th anniversary of the True Love Waits marital purity movement culminated in the shadow of one of the ancient world’s most impressive ruins, once a site of sexual indulgence. The 10th anniversary of the True Love Waits marital purity movement culminated in the shadow of one of the ancient world’s most impressive ruins, once a site of sexual indulgence.   At the event, youth of the world were called to make a stand for sexual purity by remaining sexually abstinent until marriage.   The event was held Aug. 22, at the Dora Stratou Theatre, located on a hill adjacent to the Acropolis, site of the Greek Parthenon. Activities focused on the program sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, which challenges young people to make a commitment to remain sexualyl pure until marriage.   In addition to challenging the few hundred in attendance, the call to purity was Web cast through www.truelovewaits.com and is still available for viewing.   A central aspect of the event was the arrival of more than 460,000 commitment-to-abstinence cards from young people in more than 20 countries.   "I believe the diversity of countries from where … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists look to ‘light the way’ for others to experience the gospel

The teacher walks into the Sunday School class and takes her seat behind a small desk. The teacher walks into the Sunday School class and takes her seat behind a small desk.   Instead of beginning the class with the usual prayer, she focuses her pupils’ attention on the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."   After several scriptures are read aloud by her students, she asks another to recite John 8:12. In this passage, Christ declares that he is the light of the world.   Building on that scripture, the teacher tells the class that as Christ followers, they are to keep that light burning brightly.   "So, what you’re saying is we are to rise up and carry the light until every dark area of Louisiana is illuminated?" one student in the class asks.   Another student says shining that light starts in Louisiana with friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.   And that is the purpose of the Georgia Barnette Offering for State Missions, Cindy Townsend says, citing the above skit about the annual offering.   Through the Georgia Barnette offering, Louisiana Baptists annually try and provide a light for those in need of a personal relationship with … [Read more...]

New Orleans Seminary effort seeks to undergird Cooperative Program

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has launched a new initiative to promote and strengthen the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has launched a new initiative to promote and strengthen the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program.   During the seminary’s recent student orientation, 189 new master’s-level students enrolled in a required course that details the history of the school, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Program.   In the course, special attention is given to the 12 convention entities and how each entity benefits from the $180-plus million given through the Cooperative Program by local church members and state conventions each year. Students also learn how the Cooperative Program giving plan provides significant funding for Southern Baptist missions and ministry endeavors throughout the world.   "The Cooperative Program is both the lifeline and glue of the Southern Baptist Convention," New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley emphasized.   "It is the lifeline that makes the ministry of all the entities possible," he noted. "It is the glue that holds the local church, the state conventions and … [Read more...]

For chaplain, Iraq was about the miracle of salvations

Huey Bratton spent several years in the Navy, then 11 years in a "civilian" ministry. Huey Bratton spent several years in the Navy, then 11 years in a "civilian" ministry.   However, after Sept. 11, 2001, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.   Bratton said he told his wife one night shortly after the Sept. 11 terror attacks that he wanted to help fulfill the military’s need for chaplains by volunteering for service.   Although the war with Iraq was looming, it was by no means a sure thing.   In time, the war did come - and Bratton held true to his word, traveling to Kuwait and Iraq as a chaplain for the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga.   It became clear on the grueling trek through the barren desert that God has a sense of humor, says Bratton, who now is associate pastor of family life/youth at First Baptist Church of Richmond, Hill, Ga.   "I’m 40 years old ... and the chaplain of a combat arms battalion, which means I have to keep up with a bunch of 17-21-year-old jocks who can run a 12-mile road march in full gear," Bratton notes. "The only thing I had going for me was that I didn’t have to carry a weapon."   But whether … [Read more...]

Lacking healthy fast-food, just wear your gravy on your waistline

O, the curse of being married to a registered dietitian. O, the curse of being married to a registered dietitian.   She loves me and wants me healthy, she says daily. At this point, I am worth more alive than dead. This means an ongoing raised eyebrow, or worse, at my choices of foods.   Take Sunday for instance. The cafeteria offered a number of delicious items and if not to be eaten, why have them there for me to eat, I reasoned.   "I would like chicken-fried steak."   "Brown or white gravy?"   "White."   "Mashed potatoes or fried okra?"   "Fried okra."   The cornbread was outstanding and the gooey pie delicious.   I pretend I do not notice my wife’s glare.   On the way home that evening, at supper time, the discussion about where to eat ensued.   "After that lunch today, you need to eat something with a little less fat. You know, give your arteries and heart a break."   "Okay, where do we eat?"   "Try that drive-through. They have some healthy items on their menu."   Sure enough, on the plastic board beside the drive-through are listed several "health-wise" items. … [Read more...]