For the week of November 13, 2003 Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled $15.7 million last month, an increase of almost $2 million (14.4 percent) from the previous October. The total also was $465,984 (3.5 percent) ahead of budget for the month. In addition, designated gifts totaled $19.1 million, an increase of about $2.6 million (15.7 percent). October marked the start of a new fiscal year for the convention. Louisiana foundation Funds invested at the Louisiana Baptist Foundation exceeded their benchmarks - or target goals - during the first nine months of the year, agency Executive Director Wayne Taylor reported recently. The foundations short-term, fixed, equity and group funds all exceeded performance goals, Taylor reported during the agencys recent trustee meeting. At the same time, Taylor told trustees the agency is open to looking at alternative investment options that will help invested funds grow better and will limit losses. During the recent meeting, trustees approved a motion regarding the investment of gift annuities. The change is designed to give such funds a better chance of growing longterm. A gift annuity is … [Read more...]
In midst of LBC big numbers, there is a bigger number – one
This week in Lafayette, messengers from churches affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention met in Lafayette and "large numbers" were the order of the day. This week in Lafayette, messengers from churches affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention met in Lafayette and "large numbers" were the order of the day. Messengers were counted in the hundreds and the number of churches affiliated with the convention totaled more than 1600. Total membership of these churches number more than 600,000. Messengers decided upon a budget that totaled into the tens of millions of dollars. Big numbers. The millions of dollars will support in Louisiana dozens of missionaries and hundreds of mission works. It will also help educate hundreds of students and support faculty and staff at Louisiana College and a childrens home that cares for dozens of children. It will also support Collegiate Ministries for thousands of other students in the states colleges and universities. It will enable the Executive Board staff to equip and train thousands of people. The money helps provide a newspaper sent to tens of thousands and support a foundation that invests tens of millions of dollars. Big … [Read more...]
Food boxes going out to Iraqi families – with Louisiana Baptist help
Despite last months deadly attack on the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad that resulted in 36 fatalities, the Iraqi food box distribution project will continue - with Louisiana Baptists help. Despite last months deadly attack on the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad that resulted in 36 fatalities, the Iraqi food box distribution project will continue - with Louisiana Baptists help. Seventy-pound boxes containing staple food items began arriving in Iraq Aug. 21. Louisiana Baptists contributed to the effort, though the exact number of food boxes assembled is unknown. Louisiana Baptists assembled and dropped off boxes at one of seven locations statewide in May. "I was so proud of how Louisiana Baptists responded and how they met the needs of hungry Iraqis," said Loy Seal, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of mens and volunteer ministries. "They answered the call and I want Louisiana Baptists to continue to be on mission." Seal said his office coordinated the project with directors of missions around the state. Associational directors of missions then determined areas that served as food box distribution points. "We felt like it was a good … [Read more...]
Nearly miraculous
‘Nearly miraculous’: Even two centuries later, the Louisiana Purchase remains a truly remarkable event that opened many doors of opportunity When American representative Robert Livingston heard the offer being made by French leaders for the sale of Louisiana, he dropped his teeth - literally. When American representative Robert Livingston heard the offer being made by French leaders for the sale of Louisiana, he dropped his teeth - literally. "By his own account, Livingston, who was an elderly man and who wore, as was common at the time, false teeth made of wood, was so astonished (at the offer) that his mouth flew open and his lower plate came out and fell on the carpet in front of the president of France," explains Thomas Howell, chair of the history department at Louisiana College. "Livingston literally had to pick up his teeth off the rug." The reaction was not a surprising one. The American effort to buy the city of New Orleans and some of the immediate surrounding area had just taken an amazing turn - and the young country was about to make one tremendous deal that still defies explanation in ways. Looking back, the Louisiana Purchase represents "a nearly miraculous combination of circumstances … [Read more...]
History shows – great preachers have passionate souls
Note: The following article represents the third in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article represents the third in an 11-part series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects. He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and serves as a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer Great preachers tend to feel deeply, and they are not likely to be bashful about expressing those feelings. They are passionate souls. Their love is focused in two directions - toward their fellow man and Godward. They especially have a devout love of Christ. Take Bernard of Clairvaux, for example. He was a … [Read more...]
New partnership to offer help for LBC ministers
It is true - ministers are some of the most stressed persons in the world, Kelly Barnett notes. That can lead to personal problems - even family problems, said Barnett, director of Granberry Counseling Centers for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home. It is true - ministers are some of the most stressed persons in the world, Kelly Barnett notes. That can lead to personal problems - even family problems, said Barnett, director of Granberry Counseling Centers for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home. However, Louisiana Baptist ministers seeking help with family or personal problems now have a new team resource - the childrens home and the state conventions church-minister relations office. The two entities have teamed up to offer affordable Christian counseling to ministers and their families through the Granberry Counseling Centers around the state. One leader involved in the effort described as a "win-win" relationship. "Ministers live in a fishbowl, ..." Barnett acknowledged. "Our goal is to help their marriage, help with their stresses." It is a goal shared by Alan Miller, director of the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of November 13, 2003 Potpourri DENHAM SPRINGS - First church: Dallas Holm in concert; Nov. 15, 7 p.m.; $5 per ticket; call (225) 664-4102 for ticket information; Danny Henderson, pastor. RIVER RIDGE - Riverside church: Testify in concert; Nov. 23, 7 p.m.; Joseph Miller, pastor. FARMERVILLE - Antioch church: The Chordsmen in concert; Nov. 23, 6 p.m.; Paul Carter, pastor. ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: Alan Jackson, guest speaker for Youth Parent Forum; Nov. 24, 6 p.m.; David Brooks, pastor. Revivals SHREVEPORT - North Shreve church: Soul Harvest Day; Nov. 16, 9:45 and 11 a.m./5:30 and 6:30 p.m.; dinner on the grounds at noon; Gene Williams, evangelist; Jericho and the NSBC Youth Praise Band, special music; Steve Miller, music; Roy W. Davis, pastor. Homecomings JONESVILLE - Utility church: Nov. 16, 10 a.m.; Danny Chaney, guest speaker; James Foster, pastor. ALEXANDRIA - Twin Bridges church: Nov. 23, 10 a.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow; Courtland "Junior" Stokes, Jr., guest speaker; HIS Southern Gospel Singers, music; Robert Daniel, pastor. Anniversaries JENA - Calvary Heights church: Kenneth Boyd, ten years as pastor. VIDALIA - Riverside … [Read more...]
Author – churches can be biblical and purpose-driven
Rick Warren wants to make one thing very clear - a church does not have to change the biblical message in order to become purpose-driven. Rick Warren wants to make one thing very clear - a church does not have to change the biblical message in order to become purpose-driven. Being purpose-driven is about targeting who a church will reach and staying focused on that target while balancing the five biblical purposes - worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and evangelism, Warren said during a recent training conference in Lynchburg, Va. "How do you turn an audience into an army?" he asked. The goal is to move people from the outer circle of community to an inner circle, core group, he said. Warren said a survey by George Gallup once found that only 10 percent of laypeople are involved in ministry, yet another 40 percent are interested in ministry opportunities but never have been asked to serve. Citing his own church in Lake Forest, Calif., Warren said he was astonished to learn what some of his members had been involved in through their careers. "Something I do not like about big churches is how easy it is for talent to hide." In order to get such talented people involved in ministry, Warren … [Read more...]
Prof urges International Mission Board to enforce strict theological parameters
The Southern Baptist International Mission Board should rid itself of "unbiblical" practices and alliances with Christian mission groups that do not enforce strict theological parameters, a Southern Baptist missions professor has urged. The Southern Baptist International Mission Board should rid itself of "unbiblical" practices and alliances with Christian mission groups that do not enforce strict theological parameters, a Southern Baptist missions professor has urged. Keith Eitel is professor of Christian missions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.. He outlined his concerns in an eight-page paper circulated by Paige Patterson, president at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Eitel alleges that because of inadequate training of some missionaries, "evangelism, church planting and discipleship are in the hands of theological novices." He also says women inappropriately are placed in positions of authority over men. An International Mission Board spokesperson called Eitels criticisms "groundless accusations." Nonetheless, he said the matter will be discussed by mission board trustees when they meet this week. Eitels document was … [Read more...]
Never has a quarter brought so much mayhem and chaos
Can I have a quarter?" The five-year-old was a cinch to get the quarter he was asking his grandfather for. Apparently, this was a time of bonding with the two grandsons and grandparents. Pizza was the food of choice, and there was no need to wonder whose choice. The boys, although small in stature, ate two slices to one of their grandparents. "Can I have a quarter?" The five-year-old was a cinch to get the quarter he was asking his grandfather for. Apparently, this was a time of bonding with the two grandsons and grandparents. Pizza was the food of choice, and there was no need to wonder whose choice. The boys, although small in stature, ate two slices to one of their grandparents. The pizza gone, the grandsons attention immediately turned to the video game standing nearby. They examined it carefully, then moved on to examine the pinball machine. The pinball machine must have looked like a relic of the pastno blood, no guns, no decapitations, no excitement - just a large steel ball banging around under a piece of glass, flashing lights and clanging bells. They went back to the video game. Actually, the video game is tame. The person who inserts his … [Read more...]