Events of September 11, 2001 opened our awareness to the fact, among others, that the United States is no longer a safe-haven for Christianity. Islam is a growing presence in our homeland. Events of September 11, 2001 opened our awareness to the fact, among others, that the United States is no longer a safe-haven for Christianity. Islam is a growing presence in our homeland. When we discovered the terrorists who perpetrated the acts of terror were part of a radical Muslim sect, the media began exploring the presence of Islam in the United States and discovered five million citizens and aliens of our country are Islamic. Fortunately, only a tiny, tiny minority of Muslims was supportive of the terrorists’ acts.   Since the founding of our nation, Christianity has been the dominant religious presence. Efforts to win people of other faiths to faith in Christ were efforts done outside the boundaries of our nation. Mission work inside our country initially was to win to faith in Christ native Americans, Africans brought here as slaves and others who simply had not accepted the faith of their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.   Because of significant population shifts among countries, other … [Read more...]

Does it matter what missionaries believe? Should missionaries sent out by a denominational agency have any accountability to the churches that support them?   Since the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833, Baptists have drafted documents of belief that distinguish them from other Christians. The Baptist Faith and Message, like other confessions of faith, imposes no theological creed on individuals and churches. Does it matter what missionaries believe? Should missionaries sent out by a denominational agency have any accountability to the churches that support them?   Since the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833, Baptists have drafted documents of belief that distinguish them from other Christians. The Baptist Faith and Message, like other confessions of faith, imposes no theological creed on individuals and churches. It does represent the common faith shared by Southern Baptists who choose to affiliate in associations and conventions.   Some people are predisposed against the Southern Baptist Convention’s adherence to historic fundamentals of faith based on the authority of God’s infallible Word. They have criticized the International Mission Board for asking missionaries … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees recently met in Alexandria, ex-pressing appreciation for the leadership and continued growth of the foundation.   Among the highlights of the meeting:   *The revised 2002 operating budget of $570,997 was approved. Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees recently met in Alexandria, ex-pressing appreciation for the leadership and continued growth of the foundation.   Among the highlights of the meeting:   *The revised 2002 operating budget of $570,997 was approved.   *The board approved transferring the LBF money management of the equity porfolio from SEI Investments to Salomon Smith Barney.   Executive Director Wayne Taylor commented that he is "excited" about this move because the Foundation will have the opportunity to work more closely with other Baptist foundations, including the International Mission Board. The LBF is the sixth state Foundation, plus the International Mission Board, to use Salomon Smith Barney.   *The planned giving report was reviewed. The total gifts and donations to the LBF last year totaled nearly $820,350. Although the number of donors was down compared to 2000, the dollar figure … [Read more...]

It was seven o’clock on a cool, rainy November morning in Brooklyn, N.Y., when Cal Jones began his work day that would not end until 11 o’clock that night.   Jones and his wife, Betty, worked in the New York City metropolitan area for six weeks overseeing Southern Baptists’ relief efforts. It was seven o’clock on a cool, rainy November morning in Brooklyn, N.Y., when Cal Jones began his work day that would not end until 11 o’clock that night.   Jones and his wife, Betty, worked in the New York City metropolitan area for six weeks overseeing Southern Baptists’ relief efforts.   The couple’s work included surpervising cleaning apartments damaged as a result of Sept. 11 attacks, a food distribution center in conjunction with the Salvation Army and a child care center at Liberty State Park.   Almost two months after completing his duties in New York City, Jones recalled Southern Baptists’ significant role in the relief efforts. As a matter of fact, another team of Louisiana Baptists recently returned to the city to work at feeding kitchens at Ground Zero and the Staten Island landfill for World Trade Center debris.   Jones’ crew of 120 to 150, along with other … [Read more...]

For the week of March 7, 2002 Potpourri DRY PRONG - Big Creek Association hosting evangelism rally at Dry Creek Elementary School auditorium; March 10, 6 p.m.; Sammy Tibbit; guest speaker; Herb Dickerson, director of missions.   ALEXANDRIA - during the month of March, Southern Gospel Showcase will be featured on 31 KLAX - ABC at 6:30 a.m.; Mark Lanier and Marcelle Slaughter, showcase hosts; website address is www.southerngospelshowcase.com; Lyndon Marcotte, pastor of Pleasant Hill church in Pollock, website manager.   BOYCE - First church: "True Love Waits Weekend," March 15-16; cost is $12; registration deadline is March 10; for information call Brent or Hannah Romero at (318) 793-4389; Jim Lofton, pastor.   COUSHATTA - Fairview church: Mercy Me in concert; March 7, 7 p.m.; tickets are $16.75; for ticket information call (318) 932-5940; Steven McAbee, pastor.   GONZALES - Central church: Lottie Stephens Association bi-annual meeting; March 12, 7 p.m.; Jay Avance, pastor.   SULPHUR - Maplewood First church: "Clothed in His Splendor" women’s conference; March 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Patty Hankins, guest speaker; Carol Womack, music; cost is $10; childcare provided; … [Read more...]

Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annuity Board made improvements to programs for retired Southern Baptist ministers during their February meeting in Dallas, Texas.   Trustees affirmed revisions to the guidelines for the Supplemental Assistance and Adopt An Annuitant programs. The programs will be combined into a single ministry and the eligibility guidelines will be modified to allow more retirees to qualify for benefits. Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annuity Board made improvements to programs for retired Southern Baptist ministers during their February meeting in Dallas, Texas.   Trustees affirmed revisions to the guidelines for the Supplemental Assistance and Adopt An Annuitant programs. The programs will be combined into a single ministry and the eligibility guidelines will be modified to allow more retirees to qualify for benefits.   Additionally, many Adopt An Annuitant recipients now will qualify for more than twice the benefit they have been receiving. While in the past donors have been asked to give at specific levels, the new program will encourage donors to contribute at any level.   A total of $5,217,655 was distributed through the … [Read more...]

The thought of a church being a principal in a court of law is the last thing most members would even dream possible. One would hope that a church and anyone dealing with a church would conduct their affairs in such ways that legal intervention would never be necessary. The thought of a church being a principal in a court of law is the last thing most members would even dream possible. One would hope that a church and anyone dealing with a church would conduct their affairs in such ways that legal intervention would never be necessary.   The facts, however, indicate what most people would not dream possible is becoming increasingly reality.   In the United States, the church enjoys the protection of the government and its laws. The Constitution of the United States ensures that people enjoy the freedom to believe or not to believe as they wish and to practice the dictates of their faith. But this does not exempt any church from the obligation of following the laws of the land. A church’s freedom to practice its faith basically ends at the point that practice infringes upon the rights of others under the local, state and federal laws.   Churches, regardless of their size or wealth, … [Read more...]

For persons of faith, the assertion that marriage is good for health, wealth and happiness comes as no surprise.   After all, they long have affirmed the central importance of marriage to society.   What may come as a surprise is that the marriage assertion is being made by a panel of social scientists as well. For persons of faith, the assertion that marriage is good for health, wealth and happiness comes as no surprise.   After all, they long have affirmed the central importance of marriage to society.   What may come as a surprise is that the marriage assertion is being made by a panel of social scientists as well.   "Marriage is more than a private emotional relationship," the researchers note in their recent study. "It is also a social good.   "Not every person can or should marry," add the researchers, who based their study on decades of research. "And not every child raised outside of marriage is damaged as a result. But communities where good-enough marriages are common have better outcomes for children, women and men than do communities suffering from high rates of divorce, unmarried childbearing and high-conflict or violent … [Read more...]

Increasingly, churches find themselves in a court of law in Louisiana, so there is a distinct need for information and procedures to keep them out of court.   "You can be in good faith, doing all you can, and though trying to do good things, you can be successfully sued," said Greg Erwin, a Baton Rouge attorney. Increasingly, churches find themselves in a court of law in Louisiana, so there is a distinct need for information and procedures to keep them out of court.   "You can be in good faith, doing all you can, and though trying to do good things, you can be successfully sued," said Greg Erwin, a Baton Rouge attorney.   "You want to stay out of court, because bad things can happen in court. One never knows how decisions are going to be made, and although you think something seems perfectly obvious, you never know what a judge or a jury will rule."   Erwin is Louisiana Baptist Convention attorney and made these comments at a workshop last month on "Keeping Your Church Out of Court." The workshop was held at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, and sponsored by the stewardship/Cooperative Program office and business office of the state … [Read more...]

Imagine the scene - just as the check for the meal arrives, so does the last round of drinks.   In most cities, that would mean the diners sit and visit while they finish their alcohol. But this is not most cities.   This is New Orleans - and the diners in question simply ask the waitress for "to go" cups. In less than two minutes, they are out on the streets, headed for their vehicle, alcoholic beverages in hand. Imagine the scene - just as the check for the meal arrives, so does the last round of drinks.   In most cities, that would mean the diners sit and visit while they finish their alcohol. But this is not most cities.   This is New Orleans - and the diners in question simply ask the waitress for "to go" cups. In less than two minutes, they are out on the streets, headed for their vehicle, alcoholic beverages in hand.   That is one of the things that makes New Orleans unique among perhaps every other city in the country. It also is one of the things that makes New Orleans "probably the worst in the country as far as alcohol-related control policies," said Deborah Cohen, author of a recent study of alcohol cities in cities around the … [Read more...]