Remember a few years ago when the state of Louisiana was introducing legalized gambling – and opponents were warning the industry quickly would become a 900-pound political gorilla? Well, do not blame them for checking the current Louisiana landscape these days and saying, “Told you so.” Remember a few years ago when the state of Louisiana was introducing legalized gambling – and opponents were warning the industry quickly would become a 900-pound political gorilla? Well, do not blame them for checking the current Louisiana landscape these days and saying, “Told you so.” A look at the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature is all one needs to know the warning was right. “Gambling scores legislative wins,” was how the June 30 issue of the New Orleans Times Picayune assessed the session in a front-page headline. “It was an especially good session for the video-poker industry, which established itself as the dominant political player among the gambling-industry sectors that view for lawmakers’ favor,” the ensuing article explained. Indeed, it was. But the rest of the gambling industry was not hurt by the session as well – and dodged some major bullets along the way. The major bullet of all was … [Read more...]

Report on 2003 Louisiana Legislature: As usual, there were victories and defeats on moral and social issues When asked to grade the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature in terms of how it handled moral and social concerns, Ken Ward has to preface his evaluation with an observation. When asked to grade the 2003 session of the Louisiana Legislature in terms of how it handled moral and social concerns, Ken Ward has to preface his evaluation with an observation. “You have to remember it is an election, year” said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. “That moves it up a letter grade – because for the most part, people tend to be much more sensitive to expressions of moral and social concerns in election years.” Having said that, Ward announced his view ... C-plus. “It was better than average,” he said of the session that ended earlier this summer. “One reason is the election year. But also, I sense a growing concern among legislators that they may have opened a Pandora’s box with legalized gambling. “I also see increasing concern about pornography on the Internet and alcohol and other issues. And there was responsible action taken on some issues it just made sense to … [Read more...]

I read with interest the “Bible drill contestants” article in the July 31 issue. I offer congratulations to those whose names were cited. I read with interest the “Bible drill contestants” article in the July 31 issue. I offer congratulations to those whose names were cited.  Reading the article brought back great memories of my own three years in the Junior Bible Memory Drill when I was 10-12 years of age, in the Intermediate Sword Drill in my teens and in the Better Speakers’ Tournament. I was privileged to place in the state drills each year in the Bible Memory Drill, to at least participate in the state Sword Drill and to win the Speakers' Tournament in Louisiana and  represent our state at Ridgecrest where I failed to place. I write this to say those were invaluable experiences for me. I could never express adequately my gratitude to Mrs. H. M. Clark, Mrs. Lucius Andrews, and Mr. Paul Peters, all now deceased, who worked so faithfully with many of us at First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge across those years. I would commend to the churches of Louisiana their considering seriously promoting the drills in their present form in their congregations. Youth will be impacted for life, the church will have … [Read more...]

For the week of August 28, 2003 Potpourri • HOUMA – First church:  “Let Freedom Ring” patriotic musical program; Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m, and 3 p.m.; David Rhodes, guest soloist; Chris Antill, minister of music; Steve Folmar, pastor. • LAFAYETTE – First church:  “America:  We Must Not Forget” patriotic musical; Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at Parc International in downtown Lafayette; free admission; Luther Burney, minister of music; Perry Sanders, pastor. • CHOUDRANT – New  Hope  church:  Generation Span in concert; Aug. 31, 6 p.m; love offering accepted; Dwayne Monk, pastor. • ZACHARY – Milldale church:  Labor Day Weekend Camp Meeting; Aug. 29, 6:45 p.m. - Sept. 1, noon; Danny Lovett, Jerry Spencer, Philip Robertson and Jerry Chaddick, guest speakers; Malcom Ellis, Bill Britt, Bill Sturm and Sonny Holland, evangelists; for information, call (225) 654-8168 or (225) 654-5065; Jimmy Robertson, pastor. • ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Temple church:  Angie Cripps Sasser in concert; Aug. 31, 6 p.m. with covered dish meal to follow; Bill Broadwater, pastor. • BETHANY – Camp Bethany:  Men’s fish fry; Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m.; $6 per person; Leo Hill, guest speaker; Johnny Dunn, music; for reservations,  call (318) 938-1221; … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists need to increase their overseas missionary force by at least one-half even to begin engaging all the lost in the world, missions leaders concluded recently. Southern Baptists need to increase their overseas missionary force by at least one-half even to begin engaging all the lost in the world, missions leaders concluded recently. “We realize this is a tremendous challenge,” said Jerry Rankin, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. “We have in recent months had to slow down the flow of missionaries going overseas so we can stay within the financial support provided by the churches. “But our hearts are burdened by the overwhelming lostness of our world.” That burden was the focus of a recent strategy summit with regional and senior leaders of the mission board. The leaders agreed that meeting the challenge of the burden will require considerable effort, especially in a time of slowdown. Indeed, even as the call for increased workers comes, the reality of a reduced missions force looms for the board. The slowdown in missionary appointments means attrition will take a higher toll than usual on the number of missionaries working overseas. While that number stands … [Read more...]

They don’t have a lot of shrimp left,” my friend said. “I think I will get 30 pounds.” We had been in the marsh looking for “reds” and anything else edible. None of whom were Cajuns by birth, but all of us are Cajuns by spirit. We were ready to load up on South Louisiana fare. They don’t have a lot of shrimp left,” my friend said. “I think I will get 30 pounds.” We had been in the marsh looking for “reds” and anything else edible. None of whom were Cajuns by birth, but all of us are Cajuns by spirit. We were ready to load up on South Louisiana fare. We stopped at a shrimp shed, as someone called it. The shrimp are fresh out of the marsh and cost much less than in Alexandria. Actually, the further one goes from the marsh, the more expensive the shrimp. “How much are they?” I asked. “Two-fifty a pound.” “How many pounds are you going to get?” I asked, expecting the answer to be five or ten pounds. When David said, “Thirty pounds,” my knees buckled. Thirty pounds of shrimp all in one place at one time was beyond my experience. But, this was a macho thing for me. We had been competing in our bow fishing experience and this was no time to stop. “I’ll take 30 pounds.” Wife Leah is a great cook. … [Read more...]

One of the most exciting aspects of being part of the Louisiana and Southern Baptist Conventions is the opportunity to extend the work of the local church around the world. When Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold and First Baptist Church, New Orleans meet Sunday, their ministries can reach to Iraq and Liberia and France and Peru and thousands of places in between. Where do missions start?   One of the most exciting aspects of being part of the Louisiana and Southern Baptist Conventions is the opportunity to extend the work of the local church around the world. When Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold and First Baptist Church, New Orleans meet Sunday, their ministries can reach to Iraq and Liberia and France and Peru and thousands of places in between.   Every local Louisiana Baptist church has the opportunity to strive toward fulfilling the Great Commission (perhaps better called The Great Command). Nothing excites true Baptists more than knowing they are part of a work that brings people to know Christ Jesus as Savior around the world, including places they will never be able to see.   There is another important part of missions — missions in our own state. Understandably, … [Read more...]

Whatever it takes ... A recent conference focused on the clear challenge of carrying the gospel into a dark world - and the simple question of how committed Christians really are to doing so Leonard Sweet wants Christians to be NUTS and build EPIC churches that do "whatever it takes" to reach the world with the gospel message.   Huh?   Just wait - it makes sense.   It certainly did to the more than 400 participants from five states in the recent "Whatever It Takes" conference at First Baptist Church of West Monroe. The two-day gathering was co-sponsored by the church and the Baptist state conventions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. It featured worship services, general sessions and various small-group seminars.   Sweet addressed the conference twice, challenging participants to minister boldly in a new world.   "All God is asking ... is for us to do for our day what our ancestors did for their day," said Sweet, vice president of academic affairs and professor of evangelism at Drew University in Madison, N.J. "Not to do exactly what they did - but to do for our day what they did for their day."   Unfortunately, the church has a problem, added … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2003 annual state convention, which is scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette Louisiana Baptist Convention offices have released the following list of hotels/motels for messengers attending the 2003 annual state convention, which is scheduled for Nov. 10-11 in the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette       • Hotel Acadiana   1801 W. Pinhook   Lafayette 70508   (337) 233-8120   $63       • Comfort Inn   1421 SE Evangeline Thrwy   Lafayette 70501   (337) 233-8629   $63       • Days Inn   1620 N. University   Lafayette70506   (337) 237-8880   $48       • Hilton Lafayette and Towers   1521 W. Pinhook   Lafayette 70503   (337) 235-6111   $74 d/d ... $84 king ...   $104 exec d/d ... $114 exec king       • Holiday Inn Central/Holidome   2032 NE Evangeline … [Read more...]

The "road" of ministry is of a very different sort - and not just for the minister but for those who travel along as well.   As a preacher’s kid and a former local church staff member, Cindy Townsend certainly understands that. The "road" of ministry is of a very different sort - and not just for the minister but for those who travel along as well.   As a preacher’s kid and a former local church staff member, Cindy Townsend certainly understands that.   She understands how the minister (and subsequently his wife) is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   She understands the "fishbowl" environment that surrounds a ministerial family.   And she understands the way ministers and all members of their families are held to a higher accountability.   Now, she wants all Louisiana Baptists to appreciate it as well.   As Louisiana Baptist director of women’s missions and ministry, Townsend has organized a Ministers’ Wives Appreciation Day for Sept. 21. She said she hopes the emphasis becomes an annual event.   The intent of the emphasis is simple - express appreciation to all ministers’ wives for their contributions and the use of … [Read more...]