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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

The parenting challenge

A recent Public Agenda study affirms what others have said in times past - in many ways, the family is a microcosm of the American society as a whole.   In that case, society is in trouble - because families are.   Indeed, the Public Agenda study states the situation plainly - despite their efforts, parents are having trouble.   And the trouble is both external - and internal. The parenting challenge: Modern parents face an onslaught of pressures in raising their children, including countering strong cultural forces and teaching kids key values   Editor’s Note: The following is the first of a two-part look at the challenge of modern parenting. This week’s article focuses on the current state of parenting and how parents themselves feel they are meeting the challenge. Next week’s article will offer some tips on how parents can respond to modern pressures and meet that challenge.   C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   A recent Public Agenda study affirms what others have said in times past - in many ways, the family is a microcosm of the American society as a whole.   In that case, society is in trouble - because … [Read more...]

A hearty thanks

Thank you for your timely article in the January 30 issue of the Baptist Message regarding the benefits of your health insurance covered through the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Thank you for your timely article in the January 30 issue of the Baptist Message regarding the benefits of your health insurance covered through the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.   I, too, have had similar experiences through my almost 40 years of employment with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and now almost 13 years of retirement. I also express a hearty thanks to the convention and the Annuity Board for this service and strongly urge anyone eligible to participate in this program to do so. You will never regret it. I fear to think of our financial situation without this coverage.   Thank you for your valuable work with the convention through the years.   Melba Voda Alexandria, La. … [Read more...]

Remembering Bob Lee

For the past few days, I have been reflecting on the life and witness of Dr. Robert L. Lee. He was indeed a remarkable Christian leader. If anyone ever reflected the love of Christ in all his actions, it was Bob Lee. For the past few days, I have been reflecting on the life and witness of Dr. Robert L. Lee. He was indeed a remarkable Christian leader. If anyone ever reflected the love of Christ in all his actions, it was Bob Lee.   For a dozen years, we worked side-by-side in the same city, trying to do Christ’s work and serving Louisiana Baptists (during Lynn’s tenure as president of Louisiana College and Lee’s term as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention). Many were the joys, victories, opportunities and crises we faced. Often, we talked about critical issues that faced Louisiana College and the convention. We sometimes differed on strategy, but what I noticed about Bob Lee was that his attitude of Christian love bathed all his dealings with fellow Christians.   I remember going into his office to discuss an issue and coming away with the sense of having been in the presence of God.   I sense that many Louisiana Baptists had the same experience as they sensed Bob … [Read more...]

Church and the law – concerning free speech issues

In 1992, the Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, N.Y., challenged then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton’s stance on abortion, homosexuality and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.   They did so in a paid advertisement in USA Today and the Washington Times. They did so with scripture verses supporting their position. Note: The following is the fourth - and final - article in a series on "The Church and the Law." This article focuses on the issue of free speech. The series of articles was commissioned by the Association of State Baptist Papers.   In 1992, the Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, N.Y., challenged then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton’s stance on abortion, homosexuality and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.   They did so in a paid advertisement in USA Today and the Washington Times. They did so with scripture verses supporting their position.   As a result, the Church on Pierce Creek in 1995 became the first church in United States history to lose its tax-exempt status for taking a moral stand, a spokesperson at The American Center for Law and Justice noted.   The Internal Revenue Service determined the church violated a code that … [Read more...]

SBC leaders propose reduced funding for Baptist World Alliance

Southern Baptist Convention leaders have proposed a plan to cut contributions to the Baptist World Alli-ance in order to fund their own global network of "like-minded Christians."   The proposal does not call for the convention to leave the Baptist World Alliance at this time. However, the groundwork for that possibility will be laid with development of a global "Kingdom Relationships" initiative. Southern Baptist Convention leaders have proposed a plan to cut contributions to the Baptist World Alli-ance in order to fund their own global network of "like-minded Christians."   The proposal does not call for the convention to leave the Baptist World Alliance at this time. However, the groundwork for that possibility will be laid with development of a global "Kingdom Relationships" initiative.   As proposed, that initiative will be launched with funding of $125,000 - redirected from the $425,000 allocated to the Baptist World Alliance in recent years. The redirection represents about a 30 percent decrease for the alliance.   "The emphasis (of the Kingdom Relationships initiative) will be to strengthen bilateral (Southern Baptist Convention) relationships with Baptist … [Read more...]

10 Stories to Make One’s Day 1-2

In addition to headline articles, the Baptist Message regularly publishes stories that cheer the heart and illustrate the faithful work of Baptists around the world. Below - in random order - are 10 such stories from 2002. In addition to headline articles, the Baptist Message regularly publishes stories that cheer the heart and illustrate the faithful work of Baptists around the world. Below - in random order - are 10 such stories from 2002.   The end of a struggle. For 25 years, Tom Hebert Road Mission in Lake Charles was a struggling mission. When Chris Fuselier became pastor four years ago, attendance was eight in Sunday School and 15 in worship. The mission could not even pay for the utilities in all its buildings. Some sponsoring leaders were ready to give up on it. But by early last year, attendance had grown to 50 in Sunday School and 75 in worship - and the mission had constituted as Tom Hebert Baptist Church, a self-supporting congregation.   ‘Because of prayer.’ When Southern Baptist missionaries Gene and Jean Phillips were abducted from their home in the African country of Lesotho, the call went out via the Internet - pray for the couple. Amazingly, instead of killing the pair, … [Read more...]

Top 10 Headlines

Writing headlines is not easy - but it often is fun. Some headlines are routine, but many provide a chance to use words in a striking manner. Below, the Baptist Message staff lists its favorite headlines of the most recent year. Writing headlines is not easy - but it often is fun. Some headlines are routine, but many provide a chance to use words in a striking manner. Below, the Baptist Message staff lists its favorite headlines of the most recent year.   10. God gave her back all that addiction had taken away ... Marta Serrano understands drug addiction - but she also understands the power of Christ after accepting him as savior thanks to a New York Baptist rehab ministry.   9. For the call to worship, just play ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’ ... In one of his weekly columns, Editor Lynn P. Clayton reflected on the shift of some churches to focus more on entertainment in order to attract persons.   8. For this Christian, answering God’s call involved some ‘rassling’ ...Keith McCray found success in professional wrestling - but it was not until he surrendered to God that he found his calling in life.   7. They had their mission trip plans - and then, God had his ... … [Read more...]

Top 10 People

Readers of the Baptist Message are introduced to some remarkable people throughout the year. Ranking them in order of importance would be impossible. Still, some linger in the memory and stand as representatives of the witness and work performed by so many Baptists. Below is a random listing of some of the more memorable people from 2002. Readers of the Baptist Message are introduced to some remarkable people throughout the year. Ranking them in order of importance would be impossible. Still, some linger in the memory and stand as representatives of the witness and work performed by so many Baptists. Below is a random listing of some of the more memorable people from 2002.   Alex Aust. During a traffic accident, 10-year-old Alex Aust ministered effectively to victims - to the amazement of his parents and others. "I don’t want to take God’s glory," he said later. "I don’t want to be a hero. I just want people to know that God can work through kids like me. A 4-year-old can say ‘I love you’ and turn someone’s life around."   Mabel Smith. Some go through life moving from city to city, job to job. However, 85-year-old Mabel Smith calls herself a "stay-putter." She retired last year after serving … [Read more...]

Top 10 Quotes

Throughout the year, the Baptist Message provides brief statements of inspiration as "food for thought." Below are the statements selected by the Baptist Message staff as the top thoughts of the most-recent year. Throughout the year, the Baptist Message provides brief statements of inspiration as "food for thought." Below are the statements selected by the Baptist Message staff as the top thoughts of the most-recent year.   10. "Serve God, ... even when the circumstances of your life don’t make sense."   - Max Lucado   9. "Here we are at the start of a new century. Everyone is attached to pagers, palmtops and wireless e-mail. ... Yet, with this worldwide communications explosion, has there been any improvement in the quality of our interactions? Have we learned to use our words to bring people close ... and to intensify the joy of life?"   - Unknown   8. "God, grant me a teachable heart."   - Unknown   7. "Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude."   - Martin Luther King Jr.   6. "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading."   - Oswald … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

For the week of January 16, 2003 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program in December totaled $12.4 million last month, a decrease of more than $2.1 million (14.8 percent) from the previous December. For the year, gifts total more than $42.3 million, a decrease of about $1 million (2.3 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands almost $1.9 million (4.3 percent) behind budget three months into the fiscal year. Meanwhile, designated gifts totaled $3.8 million last month, a decrease of more than $1.1 million (23.1 percent) from the previous December. Three months into the giving year, overall gifts total $10.1 million, a decline of $1.9 million (16.1 percent) from the same time last year. Mother Teresa action Acting with unusual speed, Pope John Paul II recently gave final approval to the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The action elevates the deceased nun to the rank just below sainthood a little more than five years after her death. Usually, there is a five-year waiting period after a person dies before the process of granting sainthood even can begin. However, the pope waived that for Mother Teresa four years ago. Now, he has approved her heroic … [Read more...]