I looked 200 years into the future last week. State Southern Baptist paper editors met in Charleston, South Carolina. First Baptist Church was the first Baptist church in the South and we gathered there with the state convention executive directors for worship on Thursday evening. The worship in music was truly that - worship. I looked 200 years into the future last week. State Southern Baptist paper editors met in Charleston, South Carolina. First Baptist Church was the first Baptist church in the South and we gathered there with the state convention executive directors for worship on Thursday evening. The worship in music was truly that - worship. Then, Richard Furman walks slowly into the room and to a lectern. Deliberately and forcefully, Furman begins delivering the message he had preached earlier to the Triennial Convention as its first president. Richard Furman, a Harvard-educated lawyer before becoming a minister, exhorts his fellow Baptists to unite so they can further their biblically-mandated missionary, educational and charitable causes. One may not agree with the brilliant Richard Furman, but one cannot deny the power of his … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of February 13, 2003 LBC finances Louisiana Baptists opened 2003 with Cooperative Program receipts just $34,505 below monthly budget needs. Cooperative Program gifts totaled $1,993,589 last month, a decrease of $341,173 (14.8 percent) from January 2002. The total fell 1.7 percent below budget needs to launch the year. Other gifts included: Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions gifts totaled $1,392,098 last month, a drop of $308,338 (18.1 percent) from the previous January. For the giving year, gifts total more than $2.3 million, down about $93,000 (3.8 percent). The Lottie Moon offering runs on a June 1-to-May 31 basis each year. Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions gifts totaled $67,976 to open the giving year, a jump of $1,389 (2.1 percent) from the previous January. Georgia Barnette Offering for State Missions gifts totaled $89,015 to open 2003, a drop of $26,506 (22.9 percent) from the previous January. World Hunger offering gifts totaled $28,603 last month, an increase of $9,734 (51.6 percent) from the previous January. Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program … [Read more...]
A reason to smile – and hope: Louisiana Baptist collegians bring a message of gospel love to New Orleans
In the early weeks of every year, Louisiana Baptist college students usually gather for their annual evangelism conference. This year was different. Instead of gathering to talk about sharing their faith, students spread throughout the New Orleans area to practice what earlier had been preached. On a chilly Super Bowl weekend, the 400 or so students from across the state held evangelistic block parties at 10 church sites, offering free games, food and entertainment - as well as a gospel witness. In the early weeks of every year, Louisiana Baptist college students usually gather for their annual evangelism conference. This year was different. Instead of gathering to talk about sharing their faith, students spread throughout the New Orleans area to practice what earlier had been preached. On a chilly Super Bowl weekend, the 400 or so students from across the state held evangelistic block parties at 10 church sites, offering free games, food and entertainment - as well as a gospel witness. The results certainly have given leaders reason to smile. "It was amazing stuff going on," says John Moore, Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry director. "The weekend had a very significant impact on my kids," adds Tim … [Read more...]
Georgia Barnette offering – ongoing encouragement and funding of Louisiana missions
Following the example set by the woman for whom it is named, the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering continues to contribute to the funding and encouragement of missions in Louisiana. Mary Georgia Barnette moved to Louisiana from Atlanta to fill the position of missionary and secretary at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. Following the example set by the woman for whom it is named, the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering continues to contribute to the funding and encouragement of missions in Louisiana. Mary Georgia Barnette moved to Louisiana from Atlanta to fill the position of missionary and secretary at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. Once in the state, Barnette became involved in the Louisiana Womans Missionary Union and was named the groups first full-time state position in 1904, Virginia Brueck writes in "Follow Miss Georgia: A Profile of Mary Georgia Barnette." In Barnettes 25 years of service with the Louisiana WMU, she traveled more than 180,000 miles to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in the state, Brueck says. Barnette also helped to educate women about missions and to mobilize them to give their money and time for … [Read more...]
Why support the Cooperative Program?
Two plants in LaSalle Parish have shut down, leaving three hundred or more people without jobs. Located in an abandoned Piggly Wiggly building in Jena, the LaSalle Missions and Ministry Center ministers to many of the people affected by the shutdowns and the loss of income. Through the center, people are helped with clothing, food, furniture, and Christian counseling. A chapel in the facility also is projected for the future. Note: The following is the first in a series of articles to be published in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work throughout Louisiana. Subsequent articles will appear during the year to highlight Cooperative Program missions and ministry work. This article is by retired Louisiana Baptist Convention Church-Minister Relations Director James Carter about the importance of the Cooperative Program. Two plants in LaSalle Parish have shut down, leaving three hundred or more people without jobs. Located in an abandoned Piggly Wiggly building in Jena, the LaSalle Missions and Ministry Center ministers to many of the people affected by the shutdowns and the loss of income. Through the center, people … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of February 13, 2003 Potpourri WEST MONROE - Ridge Avenue church: Jake Hess, along with Golden Covenant, in concert; Feb. 23, 6 p.m.; David Maxwell, pastor. WINNFIELD - First church: Brothers Keeper in concert; Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.; Lindsey Burns, pastor. HORNBECK - First church: Wild game feast; Feb. 21, 6 p.m.; David Crane, guest speaker; Jerry D. Key, pastor. BATON ROUGE - Immanuel church: Jamie Chaney Womack, special guest speaker; Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m.; Steve Johnson, pastor. HEFLIN - Bistineau church: Domino Tournament; Feb. 22, 12 noon; Everett Geis, Jr., pastor. SLAUGHTER - First church: The Providential Quartet in concert; Feb. 23, 11 a.m.; Basil Wicker, pastor. CAMERON - Johnson Bayou church: Men and womens conference; Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. and Feb. 15, 11 a.m.; "Step" and Pat Martin, conference leaders; Les Fogleman, pastor. MORGAN CITY - Bayou Vista church: Gulf Coast Association Evangelism Rally; Feb. 23, 6 p.m.; Jerry F. Pipes, guest evangelist; Charles Gilder, pastor. BATON ROUGE - Foster Road church: The Providentials in concert; Feb. 16, 6 p.m.; Huey Moak, … [Read more...]
Church and the law – personnel responsibilities
A church has three responsibilities related to personnel matters - to screen properly, supervise properly and discipline properly, Southern Baptist attorney Randy Singer said. "Theres a great trust placed in a church by its members to choose carefully its leaders and volunteers who work with children and some of the most vulnerable members of our society," explained Singer, a member at Bridgeway Baptist Church in Atlanta and executive vice president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Note: The following is the second of four articles to be presented on "The Church and the Law." This weeks article focuses on personnel issues for the church. Ensuing articles will focus on First Amendment and political/moral issues. The series of articles was commissioned by the Association of State Baptist Papers. A church has three responsibilities related to personnel matters - to screen properly, supervise properly and discipline properly, Southern Baptist attorney Randy Singer said. "Theres a great trust placed in a church by its members to choose carefully its leaders and volunteers who work with children and some of the most vulnerable members of our society," … [Read more...]
Pair of astronauts remembered for their lives of faith
Astronauts Rick Husband and Michael Anderson were remembered in their home church Feb. 2 as men who lived for God more than ones who had achieved childhood dreams of space flight. Husband, 45, was commander of space shuttle Columbia on its most-recent flight. Anderson, 43, was payload commander. Both were among the seven astronauts killed Feb. 1 when the spacecraft broke apart and disintegrated over Texas. Both also attended Grace Community Church, an interdenominational church in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake. Astronauts Rick Husband and Michael Anderson were remembered in their home church Feb. 2 as men who lived for God more than ones who had achieved childhood dreams of space flight. Husband, 45, was commander of space shuttle Columbia on its most-recent flight. Anderson, 43, was payload commander. Both were among the seven astronauts killed Feb. 1 when the spacecraft broke apart and disintegrated over Texas. Both also attended Grace Community Church, an interdenominational church in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake. "Rick and Mike were men who fervently lived for God," senior pastor Steve Riggle told mourners on Feb. 2. … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of February 20, 2003 Louisiana College Louisiana College has been accepted into the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, school President Rory Lee announced. "We are delighted to have Louisiana College as part of this growing international movement of intentionally Christian colleges and universities," council President Robert Andringa said. The council is a higher education association of more than 150 Christ-centered institutions around the world, including 105 North American campuses. The councils stated mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by relating scholarship and service to biblical truth. With acceptance into the organization, all those at Louisiana College now may access more than 3,000 pages of information at www.cccu.org.news, including job openings, research and survey results, publications, news and other resources. Louisiana College trustees had asked school leaders to pursue membership in the council as a means of providing development opportunities for faculty members and personnel resources for school leaders. Now is the time Now - more than ever - is the time for missions leaders to display … [Read more...]
Bob Lee was a good example for Louisiana Baptists
Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend. Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home to his permanent residence God had prepared for him.. Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively, and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep love that his leadership style grew. Louisiana Baptists lost last week a true friend, and I lost a personal friend. Last Thursday, the Lord had Robert L. Lee fold his earthly tent and come home to his permanent residence God had prepared for him.. Bob Lee lived and led in a way that should be an example to those of us who are still granted life on this earth. He loved Louisiana Baptists collectively, and when he knew them personally, he loved them that way. It was from this deep love that his leadership style grew. For almost 25 years, I had the joy of serving with Bob Lee, as well as enjoying a personal friendship with him. I watched as Dr. Lee showered love and kindness upon people of all strata of society in general, and Louisiana … [Read more...]