Your editorials regarding worship are right on target. Your term "seeker friendly" explains what far too many churches are doing to reach a pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, non-committal generation. Your editorials regarding worship are right on target. Your term "seeker friendly" explains what far too many churches are doing to reach a pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, non-committal generation. Mankind has never ceased trying to bring God down to our level of communication, rather than rising to where God wants us to be. Rather than elevating worship to please God we bring it down to the nightclub level to please the Saturday night crowd. The words of the songs and choruses have deteriorated to near sentimental mish-mash and weak theology or non-theology. We sing about the sacrifice of praise, but God prefers obedience to sacrifice, and we don’t care to be obedient. We have left the godly "Amen!" in favor of handclapping, a form of approval of the messenger rather than the message and a very disturbing, non-worship form to me. We sing about God being awesome but fail to stand in SILENT awe of His majesty. You recently discussed the word "contemporary," as has Warren Wiersbe in his book, "God Isn’t in … [Read more...]

In November, messengers to the annual Louisiana Baptist convention will be asked to vote on several changes to denominational documents.   As required by bylaws, those changes are presented in this issue of the Baptist Message - and in next week’s issue as well. The changes relate to the charter of the LBC Execuitve Board, the LBC Constitution and the LBC Bylaws.   In November, messengers to the annual Louisiana Baptist convention will be asked to vote on several changes to denominational documents.   As required by bylaws, those changes are presented in this issue of the Baptist Message - and in next week’s issue as well. The changes relate to the charter of the LBC Execuitve Board, the LBC Constitution and the LBC Bylaws.   The changes are as follows:   Proposed amendments to the charter of the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention:   Article I, Paragraph 2 now reads: The corporate existence of this corporation shall be for a period of ninety nine years, unless sooner dissolved by a two-thirds vote of this corporation, which vote shall be taken not less than six months after receiving instructions to that effect in writing from the … [Read more...]

Declaring their unity, Louisiana College trustees voted last week to take initial steps toward launching a $34 million capital campaign and constructing additional living accommodations for on-campus students. "There have been repeated expressions of unity on this board," Chair Gil Arthur noted near the end of the upbeat scheduled meeting. "That’s a continuation of things that have happened the last few years and a sign of greater things to come as well." Declaring their unity, Louisiana College trustees voted last week to take initial steps toward launching a $34 million capital campaign and constructing additional living accommodations for on-campus students. "There have been repeated expressions of unity on this board," Chair Gil Arthur noted near the end of the upbeat scheduled meeting. "That’s a continuation of things that have happened the last few years and a sign of greater things to come as well." Trustee O.K. Bailey added later, "God’s favor is on our college right now." During the meeting, trustees also heard a poisitive report from school President Rory Lee regarding fall enrollment and other matters, elected officers for the new year and took several actions related to faculty members. (See … [Read more...]

One could say Louisiana College got off to a good start in the 2000 fall semester - but that would be a little like saying the Summer Olympic Games are just another junior high track meet. It would be a bit of an understatement. One could say Louisiana College got off to a good start in the 2000 fall semester - but that would be a little like saying the Summer Olympic Games are just another junior high track meet. It would be a bit of an understatement. Indeed, Louisiana College got off to a near-record start for the current fall semester, recording its highest enrollment numbers in more than 20 years - and not falling too short of all-time highs. A total of 1,125 students enrolled at the Louisiana Baptist school in Pineville for the fall semester, the highest total since 1980. That translates to a full-time equivalency total of 1,084, the highest mark since 1979. The full-time equivalency number is based on total semester hours that all part-time and full-time students enroll in and serves as a reliable basis for comparing figures from previous years. School leaders understandably are cheered by such comparisons this fall. For instance, breakdowns show: • The total enrollment of 1,125 is the highest … [Read more...]

Rangers are not supposed to fear or cry or panic or exhibit any emotion as they endeavor to execute orders.   But as U.S. Army Ranger Jeff Struecker stared blankly at his blood-soaked vehicle in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, seven years ago, he knew these emotions raged in the hearts of each man in his armored vehicle team, men who had just witnessed the death of a fellow soldier, men who were now ordered to risk their lives again. Rangers are not supposed to fear or cry or panic or exhibit any emotion as they endeavor to execute orders.   But as U.S. Army Ranger Jeff Struecker stared blankly at his blood-soaked vehicle in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, seven years ago, he knew these emotions raged in the hearts of each man in his armored vehicle team, men who had just witnessed the death of a fellow soldier, men who were now ordered to risk their lives again.   He admits he felt the fear.   He began to pray.   Reflecting on that battle, Struecker identifies October 3-4, 1993, as the defining moment in his life. Struecker is now a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.   In 1993, Struecker had conquered every … [Read more...]

Screams pierced the air as invaders forced their way onto the farm just outside Gweru, Zimbabwe.   The attackers forcibly marched frightened farm workers to the workers’ living compound, where they beat the workers with axes, picks and heavy sticks. Others were forced to strip to their underclothes in the middle of the Zimbabwe winter and then sing and dance by the firelight. Screams pierced the air as invaders forced their way onto the farm just outside Gweru, Zimbabwe.   The attackers forcibly marched frightened farm workers to the workers’ living compound, where they beat the workers with axes, picks and heavy sticks. Others were forced to strip to their underclothes in the middle of the Zimbabwe winter and then sing and dance by the firelight.   The owners of the farm, Derek and Sandy Shaw, locked themselves in the main house and watched as the path of destruction headed their way. The couple fully expected their farm to be invaded by the government-backed war veterans.   However, as the attack reached its climax, the phone that never worked rang.   Gweru Baptist Church pastor Chris Anderson was calling to see if there was anything he could pray about with … [Read more...]

A Baptist General Convention of Texas committee has proposed a state budget that drastically reduces funding for several Southern Baptist Convention entities, including all six seminaries.   Reaction to the proposal was immediate, with observers on both sides of the issue argeeing it represented the most significant step yet in ongoing tensions between the Texas convention and the national denomination. A Baptist General Convention of Texas committee has proposed a state budget that drastically reduces funding for several Southern Baptist Convention entities, including all six seminaries.   Reaction to the proposal was immediate, with observers on both sides of the issue argeeing it represented the most significant step yet in ongoing tensions between the Texas convention and the national denomination.   The proposal represents "the most dramatic thing undertaken by any state Baptist convention," insisted Charles Wade, executive director of the Texas state convention.   Indeed, the proposed action "is a dagger thrust at the heart of the Cooperative Program," the presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries said in a joint statement.   The administrative … [Read more...]

It did not happen overnight. It was little things that James McClintock noticed. First, his wife stopped wearing her wedding ring. Then, she stopped talking to him.   Finally, McClintock received the divorce papers. It did not happen overnight. It was little things that James McClintock noticed. First, his wife stopped wearing her wedding ring. Then, she stopped talking to him.   Finally, McClintock received the divorce papers.   Their five-year marriage was finished.   "There was no second chance, no talking about it," recalls McClintock, 33, a member of a Bible church in Franklin, Tenn. She just shut down. "It physically ripped my heart out.   "I loved my wife more than I loved anything in my life. She was my best friend. We did Bible studies. We were going to start a family. It went from that to the light switch going off. Then, my entire vision vanished."   McClintock is not alone. Recent George Barna Research Group statistic reveals that 27 percent of born again Christians have been divorced. That compares to 24 percent among adults who are not born again.   The numbers are sending Christian leaders scrambling for answers. Why are … [Read more...]

For 30 or more years, so-called experts have insisted that marriage makes no difference, that it is good for men but not for women, that children do as well in a single-parent home as an intact one.   Come to find out, the experts all have been wrong. For 30 or more years, so-called experts have insisted that marriage makes no difference, that it is good for men but not for women, that children do as well in a single-parent home as an intact one.   Come to find out, the experts all have been wrong.   "The divorce revolution has failed," a recent statement on the importance of marriage insists. "Contrary to the hopes of many Americans in the 1970s, high divorce rates have proved no panacea for family dysfunction."   Instead, children, have been hurt, explains "The Marriage Movement: A Statement of Principles," a comprehensive document endorsed by a broad coalition of groups and leaders. "When marriages fail, children suffer. For many, the suffering continues for years. For some, it never ends."   Likewise, the so-called "divorce revolution" has not fulfilled its promise of greater personal happiness for adults, the recently-released statement notes. And the … [Read more...]

As long as the economy is going well and people have good jobs, they are content and willing to go along with the general flow of affairs, right?   Well, maybe not so fast.   Apparently, there is something else that people are more concerned about - family. As long as the economy is going well and people have good jobs, they are content and willing to go along with the general flow of affairs, right?   Well, maybe not so fast.   Apparently, there is something else that people are more concerned about - family.   And even more apparently, Americans understand that as the family goes, so goes the country.   A new poll indicates strengthening families is more important to Americans of all political persuasions than increased job opportunities or a cleaner environment.   In the Wirthlin Worldwide survey, 64 percent of Americans said they believe strengthening families is more significant than increasing more meaningful job opportunities.   The recently-released poll also found 77 percent of respondents consider stronger families as a more important policy priority than a cleaner environment.   A strong majority gave the … [Read more...]