For the week of November 15, 2001
Cooperative Program
Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled
almost $12.7 million last month, about $1.8 million (12.4 percent) down from
the previous October. In turn, designated gifts for the month totaled $3.3 million,
an increase of slightly more than $1 million (46.3 percent) from the previous
October. The totals represent the first month in a new fiscal year for the Southern
Baptist Convention. It closed the 2000-2001 Cooperative Program year at the
end of September with the second-highest total in history and ahead of the budget
goal. However, receipts failed to exceed the previous year, a trend that continued
last month. In addition, the October total was more than $2.1 million (85.4
percent) below the monthly budget needs.
Bucks for Fire Trucks
The Louisiana College community is participating in Gov. Mike
Fosters “Bucks for Fire Trucks” program, an initiative to collect
donations from Louisiana citizens and businesses interested in helping to purchase
a fire truck for the City of New York. Fosters goal is to raise at least
$500,000 to purchase a pumper fire truck to donate. The New York City Fire Department
lost a total of 35 trucks and vehicles as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. The nations fifth largest fire truck manufacturer Ferrara
Fire Apparatus is located in Holden, and they are already preparing the
“Spirit of Louisiana” to send to New York City. As part of the effort,
Louisiana College is planning to collect donations from faculty, staff, students
and alumni throughout this week. “This is a way that the college community
can contribute both to an effort within our state and to a need in our country,”
said Linda Hutson, director of college communications. Persons may donate through
Louisiana College by calling (318) 487-7194. Tax-deductible donations also
may be sent directly to the fund at: Louisiana State Firemens Association,
P.O. Box 1671, Gretna, LA 70054. The tax identification number is 72-0548383.
Prayer for nation
Southern Baptist leaders have urged persons to pray specifically
each week for the United States, its leaders and the nations military.
“We call upon the 16 million Southern Baptists and 42,000 Southern Baptist
churches spread across this land to commit themselves to regular, specific and
focused prayer for our nation and for its leaders in these trying days,”
reads a statement signed by SBC President James Merritt and SBC Executive Committee
President Morris Chapman. The two leaders insist it is time to give new emphasis
to the call for prayer issued after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “The
need for faithful vigil is not less today than it was on that day if
anything, it is greater, …” they note. “This hour in America is
a great test of our moral and spiritual character. As individuals and as a nation,
we have wandered very far from the Lord and need to come home to him now.”
Merritt and Chapman also asked churches to devote a time of prayer for the nation
in at least one Sunday service each month. In addition, Chapman announced creation
of a prayer Web site at www.inallthingspray.net. He also noted a multimedia
tribute is available at www.acalltoprayer.net.
Texas contributions
Despite recent developments, the Baptist General Convention
of Texas continues to be the largest state contributor to the Southern Baptist
Convention. Last year, the state convention approved major changes to its adopted
budget, reducing funding for some Southern Baptist entities. As a result, the
Baptist General Convention of Texas contributed about $5.7 million less to the
Southern Baptist Convention in 2000-2001 than the previous fiscal year. In the
most recent fiscal year, the Texas convention dropped to fifth place in undesignated
contributions through the SBC Cooperative Program. However, when both designated
and undesignated funds are combined, the Baptist General Convention of Texas
gave more than any other state convention. Meanwhile, reduced funding from the
Texas group nearly was made up by the fundamental/conservative Southern Baptists
of Texas Convention. It gave $5.2 million in undesignated funds to the denomination
and $2.9 million in designated giving.
Gambling news I
New York leaders recently announced the largest expansion of
gambling in state history in an effort to replace monies lost as a result of
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Leaders say they hope to raise $1 billion annually
within three years by opening six casinos, placing video betting terminals at
five horse racing tracks and joining the multi-state Powerball lottery game.
Religious identification
A recent study shows the majority of American adults continue
to be tied to Protestant and other non-Catholic denominations. But it also shows
that the number of people who say they are non-Christians or have no religion
is on the rise. The American Religious Identification Survey 2001, found that
52 percent of American adults are Protestant, 24.5 percent are Catholic and
14.1 percent are not affiliated with a religion. In addition, 1.3 percent of
American adults are Jewish, and 0.5 percent are Muslim. Despite the totals,
the Protestant and other non-Catholic denominations proportion dropped from
60 percent in 1990 to 52 percent in 2001. In turn, the number of adults who
identify with a non-Christian religion rose from about 5.8 million to 7.7 million.
Their proportion increased from 3.3 percent in 1990 to 3.7 percent. In addition,
the number of adults identifying with no religion doubled, from 14.3 million
(8 percent) in 1990 to 29.4 million (14.1 percent) in 2001. The number of adults
describing their religion as Jewish dropped from 3.1 million to 2.8 million.
Adults who described themselves as Muslim or Islamic totaled 1.1 million, almost
double the number in 1990.
Gambling news II
A Baton Rouge court recently overturned a 1996 law that prevented
casino companies from giving to political campaigns. The court ruled the ban
was unconstitutional and targeted a specific group for exclusion from the political
process. Gambling foes decried the ruling. “Politicians will be bought
and sold by organized gambling to a greater degree than they are now, if thats
possible,” said Walter Abbott of Ruston, a member of the National Coalition
Against Legalized Gambling board. With the court ruling, casino companies now
may give to any state or local political campaign, just like any other business.
Video poker operators won that right two years in a separate court case. In
announcing the decision, Judge Timothy Kelley said the state was unable to prove
allowing casino donations would bring real harm or that placing limits on such
contributions would ease the risk of corruption. State officials said they plan
to appeal.
Did you know?
In a recent Christian Parenting Today survey, 93 percent of Christian parents
said childrens programs at church are “extremely important.”
At the same time, only 45 percent said they were “very satisfied”
with programs at their church.