For the week of June 5, 2003 Religious ruling An appeals court has ruled an Arizona school district cannot prohibit distribution of literature advertising a program with religious content. The decision concerned a Scottsdale Unified School District policy. "The district cannot refuse to distribute literature advertising a program with underlying religious content where it distributes quite similar literature for secular summer camps, but it can refuse to distribute literature that itself contains proselytizing language," a three-judge panel concluded. The ruling was hailed by the American Center for Law and Justice. "The appeals court decision sends an important message about the constitutional rights of religious speakers," a spokesperson said. "School districts cannot legally discriminate against the type of literature distributed at schools simply because that literature promotes an event that includes religious speech." A school district spokesperson said the ruling may be appealed. The spokesperson said the decision puts schools in the position of assessing "how far a brochure can go in promoting a religious event in its advertising." Associational action A Baptist association in Mississippi has adopted a … [Read more...]

Can four Christian ministers and four distinct congregations possibly fit under one church roof?   They do in Silver Spring, Md.   Indeed, reaching beyond partnership, Baptists in this lower Montgomery Baptist Association town work together like family. Each Sunday, Viers Mill Spanish Mission, Montgomery Chinese Mission and Fellowship Church (an African American congregation) meet alongside the 50-year-old Viers Mill Church. Can four Christian ministers and four distinct congregations possibly fit under one church roof?   They do in Silver Spring, Md.   Indeed, reaching beyond partnership, Baptists in this lower Montgomery Baptist Association town work together like family. Each Sunday, Viers Mill Spanish Mission, Montgomery Chinese Mission and Fellowship Church (an African American congregation) meet alongside the 50-year-old Viers Mill Church.   Robert Wilson is pastor of Viers Mill. He smiles as he pictures the tapestry of faces weaving through hallways toward a class or worship service. Familiar hymns resonate in Mandarin, Cantonese and various dialects of Spanish and English.   "There is neither Jew nor Greek. ... You are all one in Christ … [Read more...]

For 40 years, Melba Voda was a fixture at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building in Alexandria.   An administrative assistant to four state convention executive directors, she retired in June 1989, leaving behind her "family" of secretaries, directors and others at the Baptist Building. For 40 years, Melba Voda was a fixture at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building in Alexandria.   An administrative assistant to four state convention executive directors, she retired in June 1989, leaving behind her "family" of secretaries, directors and others at the Baptist Building.   "I feel like I’m leaving my family," Voda said in a May 27, 1989 article that appeared in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk newspaper.   Voda witnessed numerous changes during her denominational tenure, both in Alexandria and the world.   When she started as secretary in 1949, Brooklyn, N.Y., fielded a Major League Baseball team, and Alaska and Hawaii were not part of the United States.   During her time as secretary, she witnessed the relocation of state convention offices from downtown Alexandria to what then was a mostly-undeveloped area of the city on MacArthur Drive. The third … [Read more...]

Note: The following is part of a series of articles about the state Cooperative Program and how it is at work in Louisiana and the rest of the nation and world. The articles are being published in the Baptist Message during the year to highlight Cooperative Program missions and ministry work. The following article was provided by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Public Relations Department. Note: The following is part of a series of articles about the state Cooperative Program and how it is at work in Louisiana and the rest of the nation and world. The articles are being published in the Baptist Message during the year to highlight Cooperative Program missions and ministry work. The following article was provided by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Public Relations Department.   When non-Louisianians think of the things that make their state unique, many cities and places might pop into their heads.   For example, Natchitoches is known for its illustrious "City of Lights" display. And of course, New Orleans is marked worldwide for its famous cuisine and infamous "Big Easy" style.   Each help make Louisiana different.   But one place that does not automatically pop up in … [Read more...]

Few people could escape the talk about the stock market in the past year - how it is doing, how much it has dropped, what it means.   But for churches, another financial trend quietly has come to bear. And as ominous as the stock market performance has been for many investors, this one could have a crippling impact on churches for years and years to come.   Fewer and fewer people are tithing. Few people could escape the talk about the stock market in the past year - how it is doing, how much it has dropped, what it means.   But for churches, another financial trend quietly has come to bear. And as ominous as the stock market performance has been for many investors, this one could have a crippling impact on churches for years and years to come.   Fewer and fewer people are tithing.   Of course, that is not really news. For awhile now, noted observers have warned that giving patterns are changing as an older, more loyal generation moves off the scene and a younger, less denominationally-oriented one arrives.   However, to hear the warnings is one thing.   To see the black-and-white figures is another proposition entirely. And the black-and-white … [Read more...]

For the published week of June 5, 2003 Potpourri • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: The Crusaders in concert; June 8, 10:45 a.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • BLANCHARD - First church: "God In Us" presented by the praise choir and orchestra; June 16, 7 p.m.; Steve Moore, minister of worship; James D. Hill, pastor. Youth • WEST MONROE - Highland church: Youth choir presents "Life on the Edge," June 15, 6:30 p.m.; Stan Taylor, minister of music; Skip Dean, pastor.   • BASTROP - Greenacres church: Morehouse Associational Youth Rally; June 7, 7-9 p.m.; Royce Christmas, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Highland church: "Life on the Edge" musical/drama presented by youth choir; June 15, 6:30 p.m.; Stan Taylor, minister of music; Skip Dean, pastor. Homecomings • ENTERPRISE - New Ouachita church: June 8, 10 a.m. concert with the New Liberty Boys; service at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow; Dale Mercer, guest speaker; Alton Thompson, pastor. Anniversaries • DERIDDER - Smyrna church: 140th anniversary and Worship/Family Life Center dedication; June 8, 10:30 a.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow; A. F. Ott Jr., pastor. Ordinations • WEST MONROE - Ouachita church: Kenny Coates, Mike Gates, DeWayne … [Read more...]

How safe is so-called "safe sex?" Not very - if scientific studies about sexually-transmitted diseases are to be believed.   "The simple answer is that condoms do make sex safer for some things but not for others - and "safe" actually becomes a relative term, ..." notes a report in the June issue of AFA Journal. "For example, when condoms are typically used, they prevent pregnancy 86 percent of the time. ... How safe is so-called "safe sex?" Not very - if scientific studies about sexually-transmitted diseases are to be believed.   "The simple answer is that condoms do make sex safer for some things but not for others - and "safe" actually becomes a relative term, ..." notes a report in the June issue of AFA Journal. "For example, when condoms are typically used, they prevent pregnancy 86 percent of the time. ...   "(But) The issue becomes more muddled when the topic is sexually-transmitted diseases," the recent journal article continues. "For some diseases, wearing a condom may provide some protection.   "That’s may, as in guesswork, because the scientific community can present little concrete evidence of condom effectiveness when it comes to preventing … [Read more...]