By Joe McKeever, Retired Pastor, Author New Orleans “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Galatians 5:9). Take care of the little things. In art, the difference between mediocre and masterful is often attention to details. In wartime, attention to the little things can mean surviving. I wonder if Goliath thought something like this in that millisecond before he expired: “This cannot be happening; a giant like me; a champion of warriors – massive and mighty, undaunted and undefeated – taken down by a kid with a rock in a sling.” Up in your state penitentiary you will find quite a number of good guys, people with impressive credentials and strong convictions and good records of achievement. However, mixed in with their outstanding accomplishments was leaven: a single habit they could not control, a friendship out of bounds, a secret vice, a weakness. At this moment, the Christian community is discussing a prominent pastor for whom the world was his oyster, as the saying goes. He was a star among the ministerial heavens. He built a great church, wrote popular books, was in demand for every program and conference. And now, look at him, felled by such a little thing. No one is more shocked than he. “How could … [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor I thought Mr. McKeever’s article, “Here’s my candidate for hypocrite of the year” [Baptist Message, Aug. 14], was outstanding and should be read by every Baptist. There is one other one I think is important and I would like to relate a story about it. In my younger days I was an avid football fan. More specifically I was an LSU fan. While stationed in Vietnam, I would get up early in the mornings to listen to a football game on Armed Forces Radio. If it was an LSU game that was even better. All of the guys in my outfit knew of my love of football. One Sunday afternoon I walked in on a conversation that five of the young troops were having concerning going to church. One of them asked me when I had last attended church, and I replied “I went to chapel this morning.” He began to tell me that he and his buddies did not believe one had to attend church to be a Christian. I asked them if they thought I was an LSU fan. Their reply was, “of course.” I asked them if there was an LSU game played less than a mile from the compound and admittance was free and I did not go, would they think I was a fan. Their reply was, “probably not.” I said, “The Chapel is less than a mile away and it is absolutely free, so … [Read more...]
Bullying: It’s time to stand up and do the right thing
By Bob Stith, Founder of Family & Gender Issues Ministry, Southlake, Texas It has been over 60 years but I still remember Jimmy. My family was going through a time of turmoil and a long string of moves necessitating yet another new school. I don’t remember the name of any other classmate nor the name of my teacher, so why do I remember Jimmy so vividly? Jimmy was a bully. I was his target on only a couple of occasions and I was always conscious of his presence. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 160,000 kids stay home from school every day for fear of being bullied. In this era of technology-fueled openness, we’re learning that bullies are not as rare as many have believed and that their mayhem may be more lasting than just the fading bruises of childhood encounters. A number of young people have taken their lives as a result of having been bullied, including several in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where I live. Many of those who have taken their lives struggled with same-sex attractions. On March 29, 2007, 17-year-old Eric Mohat was told by a classmate that he should “go home and shoot himself” – the last in a long line of bullying incidents the boy had been subjected to at his high … [Read more...]
GBO: Church planting healthy in state
Submitted by philip on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 10:59 Pastor Lonnie Tucker and wife Frankeya with the help of Church Planting Director James Jenkins have planted Still Water Baptist Church which is located in New Orleans along the I-10 corridor. Still Water is one of 30 churches expected to be planted in 2014. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer John Hebert isn’t a physician but he has diagnosed the condition of Louisiana Baptist church planting as extremely healthy. So far this year, 22 churches have been planted through the end of August, thanks in part to support from the Cooperative Program and the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Hebert expects that total to rise to 30 by the end of 2014. Last year, 16 new churches were planted in the state. Those new church starts in 2014 have reported 223 baptisms and 1,084 professions of faith. “Our churches and associations have a healthy appetite for planting churches at this time,” said Hebert, missions and ministry team leader for Louisiana Baptists. “They are on board with the vision and enthusiastic about reaching their communities for Christ. It’s the healthiest appetite for church planting I have seen in this state since I began ministry here.” Hebert, who … [Read more...]
Tour allows students to see origins, locations of America’s founding
By Hannah Boggs, Message Staff Writer Christianity has had an instrumental role in the founding of this country despite what some would want us to believe. It was and still is deeply intertwined in the makeup of these United States. For 10 days in late July, a select group of students and young leaders from Louisiana had the chance to witness firsthand the origins and locations of America’s founding. Thirteen Louisiana high school and college students were given the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers and tour historical sites on the American Heritage Tour sponsored Louisiana Family Forum. Traveling by van, the group went to such places like Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York where they had the chance to walk through landmarks, museums, monuments and memorials “Each of these students brought a unique insight to the table, and each student took away fresh ideas and vision for how they can impact their generation,” said Ruth Flores, Louisiana Family Forum event coordinator. “This trip is a hands-on experience, visiting the places that some of the most courageous men and women shared their vision for this great nation. It is time that we too stand up and lead our generation … [Read more...]
Matthew Davidson – Sharing His Musical Talents From God With Others
Submitted by philip on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 11:02 Sixteen-year-old Matthew Davidson uses his musical gifts at Ellerbe Road Baptist Church in Shreveport as well as around the state. An award winning singer, musician. he and his band encourage students to live for Christ. By Hannah Fleming, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Sixteen-year-old Matthew Davidson is not your average teenager. This award-winning vocalist and guitarist is rapidly becoming known for his musical talents as well as his uplifting lyrics which seems to touch people’s lives. The Shreveport native began his music career “eight years ago and simply fell in love with it.” As an eight-year-old, he took his first acoustic guitar lessons. Several years later (2007) he won his first electric guitar from the James Burton Foundation’s guitar show. By 2010 he had started his own band (The Matthew Davidson Band) and they began recording their songs and music. Davidson’s parents recognized his musical gifts early in his career and have been very supportive. They search for opportunities for him to perform as well as places he can serve. “When he first started we knew he had a talent,” said Ella Davidson, his mother. “It is always exciting and fun to see him … [Read more...]
Court upholds traditional marriage in Louisiana
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – After more than 20 consecutive losses in the federal courts, traditional marriage finally posted a win on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman ruled in New Orleans on Wednesday that Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage can stand. The ruling is the first time a ban in a state on lesbian and gay marriages has been upheld since the Supreme Court ruled against part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in 2013. “The Court find that Louisiana’s definition of marriage as between one man and one woman and the limitation on recognition of same-sex marriages permitted by law in other states found in Article XII, Section 15 of the Louisiana Constitution and article 3520(B) of the Louisiana Civil Code do not infringe the guarantees of the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the United States Constitution,” Feldman wrote in his summary judgment. “The record reveals no material dispute: the defendants have shown that Louisiana’s decision to neither permit nor recognize same-sex marriage, formed in the arena of the democratic process, is supported by a rational basis. The Court further finds that plaintiffs have failed to establish a genuine dispute regarding a First … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
ON THE MOVE Sonny Steed has retired after 61 years in the ministry. A graduate of Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he has served through Louisiana and Texas including Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge (three different times.) Madeline Willis new as music director and Brian Nichols new as youth director at St Clair Baptist Church, Boyce. Monty Rowse new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Hackberry. David Fusilier new as pastor at Magnolia Baptist Church, Vinton. REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Emmanuel Baptist Church, Denham Springs: Revival and 64th Anniversary. Revival (Sept. 10-14). Speaker: Paul Taylor. Sept. 14 Homecoming and celebrate 64th Anniversary. Pastor: Max Landry. First Baptist Church, Oil City: 100th anniversary celebration, Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Pastor: Jessie Colston. Cook Baptist Church, Ruston: Revival, Sept. 14-17, 6 p.m. A corresponding children’s event (Willie’s Redneck Rodeo) will be held each evening from 6 -8 p.m. in the youth room as well. Speaker: Steve Hale. Pastor: Mike Holloway. Sandy Bayou Baptist Church, Columbia: 97th homecoming celebration, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. Speaker: Sandy Reardon. Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Dinner on … [Read more...]
LC Chapel Service
Submitted by philip on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 11:10 Former Louisiana College president Joe Aguillard (right) was recognized for his years of service to the school in the college’s first chapel service of the 2014 academic year on Aug. 28. Aguillard was presented a medallion and a plaque by Tommy French, LC Chairman of the Board, in recognition of the honorary title of president emeritus the college’s trustees recently bestowed him. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]
SACS letter details reasons LC placed on probation
By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor PINEVILLE – In a June 19 news release, Louisiana College announced the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACS-COC) had placed the college on probation. A letter dated July 9 from the accrediting agency to the college detailing the reasons for the school being placed on probation was recently made available to the Baptist Message. Argile Smith, LC interim president, released the accrediting agency’s letter to the Message with the approval of the Executive Committee of the LC Board of Trustees. In the letter, SACS-COC cited six areas where LC was deemed to be in non-compliance with the accrediting agency’s principles. The areas specified are as follows: Principle of Integrity; External Influence; Personnel Appointment; Administrative Staff Evaluations; Control of Finances; Title IV Program Responsibilities. The Principle of Integrity garnered most of the attention in the SACS-COC report. Concerning this area, the letter states in part: “The documents provided by the institution disclose: 1) a pervasive culture of avoidance of transparency in the intuition’s operations; 2) multiple cases of conflicting documentation of ‘facts;’ 3) the apparent unauthorized use of … [Read more...]