President George Bush’s announcement in support of a constitutional marriage amendment came following months of news related to same-sex marriage. President George Bush’s announcement in support of a constitutional marriage amendment came following months of news related to same-sex marriage.   The following "Q&A" (question and answer) summarizes recent events and seeks to answer common questions:   • Why did President Bush make this announcement now?   Bush said he believes that events in San Francisco and Massachusetts are threatening the national definition of marriage. In his words, "attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country."   • What is going on in San Francisco?   The city has begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite the fact that state law bans such unions. Thousands of homosexual couples received marriage licenses from the city within a matter of days. Pro-family groups have sued the city, attempting to have the licenses declared invalid. Meanwhile, the city has sued the state, seeking to overturn California’s ban against same-sex marriage.   • What is … [Read more...]

Trying to read signs can be a dangerous business. Like the young man who said introducing his first sermon that he was preaching because he saw a sign - two clouds shaped like "G" and "P" which certainly meant, "Go Preach." After the sermon, an old farmer came to the young man and said, "Son, you misread the sign. That G.P. meant not go preach but go plow." Trying to read signs can be a dangerous business. Like the young man who said introducing his first sermon that he was preaching because he saw a sign - two clouds shaped like "G" and "P" which certainly meant, "Go Preach." After the sermon, an old farmer came to the young man and said, "Son, you misread the sign. That G.P. meant not go preach but go plow."   But it does seem there are signs that God is trying to call the United States to repentance. While many do not believe that the tragic events of 9-11 were caused or directed by God, those events for a while drew Americans in large numbers back to church buildings and to assemblies of worship. Louisiana Baptist churches probably had their largest attendances of the year the Sunday after 9-11.   And then came the beginning of the Iraq war. Wars seem always to have the power to send … [Read more...]

For the week of March 11, 2004 Bivocational events   The month of March is recognized as Bivocational Ministry Month by Southern Baptists - and Louisiana Baptist churches are being asked to join in the emphasis. Louisiana Baptist Convention consultant Gary Mitchell has called on Louisiana Baptist congregations to set aside March 14 as Bivocational Pastors Day, March 21 as Bivocational/Volunteer Music Directors Day and March 28 as Bivocational/Volunteer Youth Directors Day. Congregations are urged to take steps to recognize and pray for the work of bivocational ministries during those days. "Please help celebrate these dates in honor of these essential ministry leaders," Mitchell said.   Louisiana deaths   The wife and daughter of Louisiana Baptist pastor David Willets were killed March 4 in a car accident in Oklahoma. Leesa, 47, and Lauryn Willets, 18, were killed while traveling to visit an Oklahoma college. Lauryn Willets was a high school senior this year. David Willets is pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. Son Landon Willets is a college sophomore.   Religious liberty concerns   The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged … [Read more...]

Expectations are relationship-killers. The wife expects her new husband to be the Prince Charming of her dreams. The boss expects the new secretary to read his mind. Expectations are relationship-killers. The wife expects her new husband to be the Prince Charming of her dreams. The boss expects the new secretary to read his mind.   The congregation expects the new pastor to reverse the declining attendance, preach inspiring sermons and attend every social occasion. The pastor expects the members to support him, keep down dissension and respond to every challenge he throws their way.   It sounds so noble to have high expectations - like we believe in one another. But it is a trap.   The person who expects perfection of me has set us both up for disappointment. I am not perfect, and anyone looking my way to find it will leave in frustration. However, I am encouraged that Scripture deals with this subject. Lately, I’ve been camping out in the vicinity of Luke 6 and 7, making discoveries about our misplaced expectations and the rightful place to direct them.   Among the gleanings:   • Expectations about other people: Give them up.   In Luke 6:32-36, after … [Read more...]

‘The Passion’ experience: As the new movie about the final hours of Jesus’ life continues to generate plenty of discussion, Louisiana Baptist churches move to present the gospel message Whether it is under a tent, inside a bus or at the movie theatre itself, Louisiana Baptists are using a vari-ety of methods to answer questions non-Christians may have after viewing "The Passion of The Christ."   In the New Orleans area, about 180 volunteers from eight churches of various denominations are operating the Passion Tent. Participating churches include First Baptist Church of Covington, First Baptist Church of Folsom and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Covington.   The 20 ft.-by-40 ft. tent provides a place for individuals to discuss the movie with the volunteers through March 14. Large banners point moviegoers to the tent - across the street from a Covington theatre - where volunteers offer refreshments and New Testaments to visitors.   "Mainly, we’re trying to talk with people about what they’ve seen and experienced," says Waylon Bailey, pastor at First Baptist Church of Covington.   The church rented space off US Hwy. 190 and secured a donated tent, tables, space heater and … [Read more...]

Some may look at the most-recent statistics for the work and ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and see cause for concern. Dean Doster acknowledges the number and sees cause for challenge - and hope. Some may look at the most-recent statistics for the work and ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and see cause for concern.   Dean Doster acknowledges the number and sees cause for challenge - and hope.   "We’ve largely been flatlined (in terms of statistical growth) for several years," said Doster, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. "We’ve not gone backwards but neither have we made gains we hoped for. That’s the good news and the bad news in a nutshell. And that’s the challenge before us. ...   "But I’m not discouraged at all," Doster continued. "I believe we have good days ahead."   However, make no mistake - they will be days of confrontation, the state leader added, citing a need for Christians to engage fully in the current culture war in the United States.   "God has brought us to a (cultural) crossroads that I’ve not seen in my lifetime, ..." Doster insisted. "We’re in a spiritual battle for the soul of this country, … [Read more...]

In biblical days, the "porch" - or "portico" - of the temple in Jerusalem was a public gathering place. It was where doctors of the law met to hear and answer questions, a place of commerce and worship. Jesus likely visited the area often, speaking and teaching to those who gathered during the day. In biblical days, the "porch" - or "portico" - of the temple in Jerusalem was a public gathering place.   It was where doctors of the law met to hear and answer questions, a place of commerce and worship. Jesus likely visited the area often, speaking and teaching to those who gathered during the day. His disciples also visited there to encourage and equip one another in the early days of the church.   But that was then - and this is ...   Well, actually, the "portico" concept remains alive and well through a First Baptist Church of West Monroe ministry to reach young adults with the gospel.   Since the fall of 2001, The Portico ministry has met in a former bank building adjacent to the West Monroe church.   Its stated goal is simple - "to recreate that (biblical portico) setting in such an authentic way that postmodern young adults feel inspired to follow the example … [Read more...]

For those who wonder where parents stand on the issue of sex education for their children, two recent polls offer no help. Indeed, they provide conflicting results. For those who wonder where parents stand on the issue of sex education for their children, two recent polls offer no help.   Indeed, they provide conflicting results.   One poll says the majority of American parents want sex education classes to emphasize abstinence until marriage.   The other says most parents believe the most appropriate approach is something called "abstinence-plus."   The first poll was conducted by Zogby International and Focus on the Family. It found that parents strongly oppose the values and messages of comprehensive sex education, which assumes teenagers will become sexually active and, therefore, must be given easy access to contraceptives.   The second poll was conducted by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. It found that only 7 percent of Americans say sex education should not be taught in public schools - but that a plurality believes the most appropriate approach is to teach that abstinence is best. At the … [Read more...]

It is only a novel, but many people are buying its message as history - and that has religious leaders worried. After all, "The Da Vinci Code" claims that Jesus actually wed Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her. It is only a novel, but many people are buying its message as history - and that has religious leaders worried.   After all, "The Da Vinci Code" claims that Jesus actually wed Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her.   It also states that the Bible was commissioned and manipulated by the Roman emperor Constantine for political purposes.   And people are believing these things.   "It definitely made me question all that I have been brought up to believe," said Holly Jespersen, a Presbyterian in Chicago.   "I was basically floored (by the assertion regarding the Bible)," said Glen Gracia, a former practicing Catholic who characterized the news as "historical information."   Alarmed by reactions like these, defenders of traditional Christianity have launched a counteroffensive on author Dan Brown’s fast-paced thriller.   It comes none too soon.   The book is in its 46th week atop The New York Times’ fiction … [Read more...]

For the week of March 18, 2004 Missouri Baptist lawsuit   A Missouri judge effectively has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Missouri Baptist Convention leaders against five institutions that removed themselves from convention control. Convention messengers voted in 2002 to sue the Word & Way newspaper, Missouri Baptist University, Windermere Baptist Conference Center, the Missouri Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Home retirement home system. In 2000 and 2001, trustees of all five agencies changed their institutions’ charters to make the boards self-perpetuating. Previously, the institutions’ trustees had been elected by the Missouri Baptist Convention. The lawsuit demanded the agencies’ trustee boards be returned to convention control. Because the Missouri Baptist Convention itself is an unincorporated association, leaders decided to name the state Executive Board and six convention-affiliated churches as the plaintiffs. However, a circuit judge said the convention’s constitution and bylaws are clear that its "members" are individuals called "messengers." He said the churches and Executive Board do not count as "members." Thus, the churches and Executive Board lack the right to sue under … [Read more...]