For the published date of March 5, 2004 Thanks, Mr. President Some 70 of the nations leading evangelical and pro-family leaders have signed a letter thanking President George Bush for his courage in endorsing a constitutional marriage amendment. (See Page Seven) Those signing included five Southern Baptist leaders. The letter was released after Bush endorsed an amendment to the Constitution that would protect the traditional definition of marriage, thus banning same-sex marriage. "Mr. President, we applaud your courage," the letter reads. "There have been times in our history when presidents have been called upon to make difficult decisions to protect the balance of power in our government. ... We think you are making just such a stand in opposing what we view as runaway courts. Thank you, sir, for standing with the people and for doing what is right." The letter promises the leaders support in pushing an amendment. It also praises Bush for his leadership in preserving the traditional family. "We can think of no more crucial issue for our nation than the preservation of the institution of marriage," it notes. SBC president Florida Baptist pastor Bobby Welch apparently … [Read more...]
It was just a call from a friend – he could not have known where it would lead
Last February, one telephone call 2,500 miles away from New Orleans changed Scott Hanberry’s life. Last February, one telephone call 2,500 miles away from New Orleans changed Scott Hanberry’s life. At the time, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduate was content managing the on-campus Lifeway Christian Resources store and serving as pastor of a church in Hattiesburg, Miss. The call came from longtime friend Mike Palmer, pastor at Salmon Valley Baptist Church in Salmon, Idaho. He phoned Hanberry to request Bibles for church members to give away on their missions trip. "As we were talking, Scott asked me about the churches in the Coeur d’Alene/Hayden area," Palmer recounts. "I said off the cuff, jokingly, ‘Why don’t you come up here and start one.’" As it turns out, the joke turned into a life-changing decision for Hanberry. "We were really content enjoying the ministry God had given us (in the South)," says Hanberry, whose place of ministry always had been in the Deep South. However, after praying about the situation, Hanberry, his wife and two sons made the cross-country trek to Idaho last September to plant NorthStar … [Read more...]
She is an up-and-coming music star – with deep Louisiana Baptist roots
She was nominated for Country Christian Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award last November. She was nominated for Country Christian Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award last November. Her single "Where You Are" spent 11 consecutive weeks last year in the Country Christian Music top 10 chart, reaching as high as number two. But spend a few minutes with April Nicole McInturf, and one will realize the Louisiana Baptist youth values her family as much as her musical accolades. "I’m real close to my parents," says the Louisiana State University freshman, who eats supper with her family when she is not working at a Baton Rouge delicatessen or singing at a church. "This is just a wonderful family." The Louisiana Baptist ties are deep. Her two uncles are ministers, her cousin is a youth intern, and her grandfather and father serve as deacons at their Louisiana Baptist churches. In fact, Nicole - who goes by that last name musically - is the only non-preacher’s kid on her dad’s side of the family. "I have so many relatives in churches, so, I always was able to go and sing at their different churches, … [Read more...]
State sexual abstinence program praised as model
Truth be told, it is not often that one touts Louisiana as a model for the rest of the nation. However, when it comes to promoting sexual abstinence among young people, Louisiana is just that, said Nancy Victory, a Louisiana Baptist who works with the Governors Program on Abstinence. Truth be told, it is not often that one touts Louisiana as a model for the rest of the nation. However, when it comes to promoting sexual abstinence among young people, Louisiana is just that, said Nancy Victory, a Louisiana Baptist who works with the Governors Program on Abstinence. "We are the model program for the country, said Victory, who is a member at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport and who serves as project director for the abstinence programs Web site. "We have used the money (available for the program) in innovative, creative ways. Nobody else has clubs and curriculum and community projects and a really top-notch Web site. We have used this money as well as it could be used." The money Victory refers to is the federal funds made available several years ago as part of the welfare reform legislation. The money is dedicated for states to use in teaching … [Read more...]
Suit to overturn Roe v. Wade rests in Louisiana court
Since 1973, Roe v. Wade has stood as the rule of the land regarding abortion. However, last June, the woman who led to the ruling - the "Jane Roe" of the case - filed suit to reverse the decision. Since 1973, Roe v. Wade has stood as the rule of the land regarding abortion. However, last June, the woman who led to the ruling - the "Jane Roe" of the case - filed suit to reverse the decision. Norma McCorvey now is a Christian - and is adamantly pro-life. She is convinced that new evidence shows the harm that abortion does to women. Thus, last summer, she sought to reopen the 31-year-old case that has shaped the landscape of the country. That fight has led to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in New Orleans. A federal district court in Dallas threw out McCorveys suit within days of its filing last summer, saying it had not been filed within a reasonable time. However, McCorvey was undeterred in the matter. She appealed the decision. Last month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to take the case - and actually set oral arguments on the matter for March 2. However, just last week, … [Read more...]
Do the right thing
Re: SBC Executive Committee stand on the Baptist World Alliance Re: SBC Executive Committee stand on the Baptist World Alliance I attended my first Baptist World Youth Conference in Beirut, Lebanon in 1963. It was an awesome experience to witness the roll call of nations, to meet with people of diverse color, culture and customs but united under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It was challenging to hear Christian leaders from all over the world, to learn what God was doing through his children everywhere. God speaks through different languages, works in different cultures but draws people unto himself through his Word and Spirit. Our God and his work are greater than those who would try to coerce everyone in this world to dot every "i" and cross every "t" exclusively like the Southern Baptist Convention. Years ago, I read a mission study book on Baptists in Europe. It was inspiring to learn that many Baptist bodies in Europe emerged when an individual read the Bible, became a believer, gathered others to join together for Bible study in homes, eventually becoming baptized believers. These Baptist bodies were started not by a foreign mission board. It is amazing how God can grow … [Read more...]
The price of liberty
Re: Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee action on "sole membership" for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Re: Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee action on "sole membership" for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The "sole membership" idea normally applies to secular businesses with governing boards. The lame excuse used by the Executive Committee for sole membership of SBC entities is less legal liability for the convention. In actuality, the closer the entity is to the "owner," the more liability for the owner. Does the Executive Committee have this authority or right of liability on behalf of the SBC, and will the convention accept the liability from the committee? This is a question that needs to be asked. Heres the rub - is this "solely" a grab for more control and/or power over the SBC agencies and their boards by an elite few? Does the Executive Committee have the authority to go before the convention and ask that trustees be removed from boards and replaced with others who will "go along" with the agenda of leaders? The line must be drawn regarding the authority of the Executive Committee over our entities. And the … [Read more...]
Beware of steps to ethical ruin, Enron whistleblower cautions
So, how does one explain the infamous - and mega-million-dollar - collapse of Enron just a couple of years ago? So, how does one explain the infamous - and mega-million-dollar - collapse of Enron just a couple of years ago? For Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins, it could have started with something as simple as a stolen pen. Indeed, Watkins recently warned students at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., to avoid "the slow steps to disaster" that can result in ethical failures in business. Recognized as one of Time magazines Persons of the Year in 2002, Watkins now speaks out about the ethical failures underlying her former employers collapse. She had a front-row seat for the show. For many years, Watkins was a high-flying accountant who traveled the world for Enron. However, at age 42, with a 2-year-old daughter to consider, Watkins said she traded that position for what she thought would be quiet "backroom" accounting jobs. Instead, in her new position, Watkins said she soon discovered Enron account discrepancies in the hundreds of millions of dollars. "The math didnt add up," she said. When Watkins questioned the … [Read more...]
The same-sex marriage issue – some questions and answers
President George Bushs announcement in support of a constitutional marriage amendment came following months of news related to same-sex marriage. President George Bushs announcement in support of a constitutional marriage amendment came following months of news related to same-sex marriage. The following "Q&A" (question and answer) summarizes recent events and seeks to answer common questions: Why did President Bush make this announcement now? Bush said he believes that events in San Francisco and Massachusetts are threatening the national definition of marriage. In his words, "attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country." What is going on in San Francisco? The city has begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite the fact that state law bans such unions. Thousands of homosexual couples received marriage licenses from the city within a matter of days. Pro-family groups have sued the city, attempting to have the licenses declared invalid. Meanwhile, the city has sued the state, seeking to overturn Californias ban against same-sex marriage. What is … [Read more...]
Do the signs of the time point to God sending revival?
Trying to read signs can be a dangerous business. Like the young man who said introducing his first sermon that he was preaching because he saw a sign - two clouds shaped like "G" and "P" which certainly meant, "Go Preach." After the sermon, an old farmer came to the young man and said, "Son, you misread the sign. That G.P. meant not go preach but go plow." Trying to read signs can be a dangerous business. Like the young man who said introducing his first sermon that he was preaching because he saw a sign - two clouds shaped like "G" and "P" which certainly meant, "Go Preach." After the sermon, an old farmer came to the young man and said, "Son, you misread the sign. That G.P. meant not go preach but go plow." But it does seem there are signs that God is trying to call the United States to repentance. While many do not believe that the tragic events of 9-11 were caused or directed by God, those events for a while drew Americans in large numbers back to church buildings and to assemblies of worship. Louisiana Baptist churches probably had their largest attendances of the year the Sunday after 9-11. And then came the beginning of the Iraq war. Wars seem always to have the power to send … [Read more...]
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