Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:50 The Movie 42 By Staff, World News Magazine WASHINGTON – The movie “42” tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color line. It recently opened to great reviews. It was also a home run at the box office, bringing $27 million in ticket sales during its weekend. Even though “42” is being well received, Eric Metaxas wrote in USA Today that the movie failed to approach what he cleverly called the “God line,” by avoiding any discussion of the strong Christian faith of both Robinson and Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey. Metaxas wrote, “To put it in baseball terms, they decided to pitch around it.” Hollywood is apparently either uncomfortable with faith, or it wants us to believe that humans can be good, moral creatures without faith. Metaxas concluded with an exhortation to filmmakers: “Isn’t it time Hollywood integrated faith into stories where it rightfully belongs? Why should such stories be excluded from the mainstream in a nation that’s filled with people of faith? If filmmakers do the right thing – and break the “God line” – they’ll find there are countless millions who’d cheer stories like that. And who’d pay to see them too.”   New Disease … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor My first day in the office of the Baptist Message was Jan. 9, 2006. During the seven years and just over four months that I have been editor of the Message, I have never expressed my opinion on any issue in Louisiana Baptist life.  However, with this column that will change. The reason I have chosen to not broadcast my opinion on any issue is that I do not believe my opinion is any better than any other Louisiana Baptist. Just because I have the megaphone of the LBC’s official newsjournal does not make my opinion more important or more valid. Hence, on issues in Louisiana Baptist life, I have kept my opinions to myself. In this column I am going to share some thoughts, perspectives, and realities concerning the most recent controversy at Louisiana College. I might even toss my opinion in as well. I am addressing the situation at LC not because I think I have a definitive assessment, but because I think there are issues that do need to be addressed and highlighted. One of the paramount realities that must be underscored is the recent situation regarding whistleblower complaints that alleged the LC president had misappropriated funds and misled the trustees was a personnel issue. Due the sensitive … [Read more...]

By Larry Burgess, for "Friends of Louisiana College" Specifically, we would like to see the following issues addressed in a timely manner: The physical plant. A study in September 2010 by Aramark Corp. identified over $28 million in repairs that were either critical or would become critical within three years. Most (if not all) of those items remain unaddressed almost three years later. Faculty and staff salaries and health insurance. While faculty and staff salaries are not public knowledge, many have made it known that their salaries are significantly below what they would make elsewhere and many are dependent upon the government for health care. At the same time, the salaries of the administration have increased significantly over the past several years. Expansion of academic programs. We hope that the trustees will take a hard look at whether graduate programs in medicine, law and film—and any other areas—are financially sustainable and realistic for a college of LC’s size. We hope that undergraduate programs will be the board’s priority, since they have served LC and the world so well for over 100 years. Other areas of expansion should be considered with attention to more profitable demands of the educational market, … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Much like the last four months, the ‘crisis at LC’ dominated discussion at the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s annual spring meeting of the Executive Board May 7. In addressing the situation, LBC Executive Director David Hankins in his report to the board began by saying, “I would like to speak to you about the crisis at LC. “When I first saw the accusations, I was crestfallen,” said Hankins. “I did not want to believe the accusations being made against my friend Joe Aguillard. I realize I did not help myself by staying quiet. I have been asked why haven’t I spoken until now. I have been accused of doing too little by some and too much by others. “Well, I did not speak before now because it would have been inappropriate. There are rules of conduct for Louisiana Baptists and we expect them to be followed,” Hankins continued. “I do not like trying people in the press or blogging people to death. I certainly do not like mob rule. “We elect trustees. Interfering with them has its liabilities,” Hankins said. “I felt the trustees needed to be allowed to do their job and it would have been inappropriate of me to speak of these issues before they had done so.” Hankins also cautioned … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists throughout the state are responding to the Oklahoma tornadoes tragedy with collection centers. These include, along with drop-off dates and what they are collecting: •    Feliciana Baptist, Clinton; Superior Avenue Baptist, Bogalusa; First Baptist, St. Francisville; First Baptist, Amite; and Hillcrest Baptist, Franklinton, as part of a joint effort by the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana; today, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.  Brother Stanley Statham, director of missions for the association, said the items needed are paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, styrofoam cups, plastic cups, plastic knives, forks, spoons, Gatorade, diapers, wipes, large trash bags and hand sanitizer. NO clothes are needed at this time. The association has bottled water on hand, so that item is not needed. Those wanting to help with fuel costs to transport the items can make a check out to BASELA. For more information call 985-839-3827. •    Northside Baptist, Lafayette, is collecting items today between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Items needed include baby wipes, Gatorade, baby blankets, nursery water, children’s shoes (size under 6), razors, travel hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 09:53 LBC Executive Director David Hankins By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Much like the last four months, the ‘crisis at LC’ dominated discussion at the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s annual spring meeting of the Executive Board May 7. In addressing the situation, LBC Executive Director David Hankins in his report to the board began by saying, “I would like to speak to you about the crisis at LC. “When I first saw the accusations, I was crestfallen,” said Hankins. “I did not want to believe the accusations being made against my friend Joe Aguillard. I realize I did not help myself by staying quiet. I have been asked why haven’t I spoken until now. I have been accused of doing too little by some and too much by others. “Well, I did not speak before now because it would have been inappropriate. There are rules of conduct for Louisiana Baptists and we expect them to be followed,” Hankins continued. “I do not like trying people in the press or blogging people to death. I certainly do not like mob rule. “We elect trustees. Interfering with them has its liabilities,” Hankins said. “I felt the trustees needed to be allowed to do their job and it would have … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 09:56 Tina Gilbert, age 54, a ladies Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in Lafayette, recently underwent a live-liver transplant surgery in New Orleans where her oldest son, Chad, pastor of Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, donated 60 percent of his liver to her. After she recovers from her surgery, Tina plans to resume a Bible study for senior citizens she has taught for the last 11 years in a government-subsidized apartment complex. By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Tina Gilbert received a special gift from her first-born son, Chad, a few days before Mother’s Day. It was one that saved her life. Chad donated 60 percent of his liver to his mother in a transplant procedure May 8 at Ochsner Multi-Organ Transplant Institute in New Orleans. At press time, both mother and son were listed in good condition. “Everything went perfectly with the surgery,” said Cole Gilbert, Chad’s wife, about the two-person liver transplant operation. The day after the surgery Chad, pastor of Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, was already sitting up in a chair. “The doctors said they are both doing well,” Cole Gilbert added. “All this has been an answer to … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor My first day in the office of the Baptist Message was Jan. 9, 2006. During the seven years and just over four months that I have been editor of the Message, I have never expressed my opinion on any issue in Louisiana Baptist life. However, with this column that will change. The reason I have chosen to not broadcast my opinion on any issue is that I do not believe my opinion is any better than any other Louisiana Baptist. Just because I have the megaphone of the LBC’s official newsjournal does not make my opinion more important or more valid. Hence, on issues in Louisiana Baptist life, I have kept my opinions to myself. In this column I am going to share some thoughts, perspectives, and realities concerning the most recent controversy at Louisiana College. I might even toss my opinion in as well. I am addressing the situation at LC not because I think I have a definitive assessment, but because I think there are issues that do need to be addressed and highlighted. One of the paramount realities that must be underscored is the recent situation regarding whistleblower complaints that alleged the LC president had misappropriated funds and misled the trustees was a personnel issue. Due the sensitive … [Read more...]

By Larry Burgess, Friends of Louisiana College On May 1, Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard announced a pledge from an anonymous donor of $10 million. As members of the LC family we offer congratulations to the school for securing such a wonderful contribution. We pray that the administration and the Board of Trustees will use the funds wisely to begin resolving some of the more endemic problems facing Louisiana College. Specifically, we would like to see the following issues addressed in a timely manner: 1. The physical plant. A study in September 2010 by Aramark Corp. identified over $28 million in repairs that were either critical or would become critical within three years. Most (if not all) of those items remain unaddressed almost three years later. 2. Faculty and staff salaries and health insurance. While faculty and staff salaries are not public knowledge, many have made it known that their salaries are significantly below what they would make elsewhere and many are dependent upon the government for health care. At the same time, the salaries of the administration have increased significantly over the past several years. 3. Expansion of academic programs. We hope that the trustees will take a hard look at … [Read more...]

By Mike Edens, NOBTS Several weeks ago, in New Orleans, I agreed to write on martyrdom in our world today. Persecution and martyrdom are concepts we in America tend not to think about. We are even reluctant to face the death of our countrymen and fellow American Christians as they lay down their lives for great causes. These deaths are painful and remind us of our violent, intolerant world. However, I asked to address martyrdom from another prospective: the indigenous deaths that mark the cause of Christ, with many of these not reported by the international media. As the time for the writing approached I found myself on a two-month research project in Cairo, Egypt. It is from that setting that I write. We live in a day of great violence that is in many ways trivialized and commercialized by the media outlets and video games that seem to make money from the modern thirst for action and violence. I write from a city coping with a continuous revolution, which is moving into its third year and is at times very violent. In today’s Cairo, clashes of ideas are passionate and at times overflow into violence. Such was the case 13 months ago during a soccer match, when the fans for the two teams made the stands into a … [Read more...]