By Rebecca Holloway PINEVILLE, La. - When we first received Evan’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome, I was in my 5th month of pregnancy. One of my first thoughts when we received this news was, “This cannot be. I am not equipped to be a special needs parent!” Yet here we are 6.5 years later. We have read a lot, gotten guidance from doctors, and I have received a lot of advice from other special needs parents. However, most days we still feel ill-equipped for the job. There is a steep learning curve and much on-the-job training. But one thing I have realized over the years is that I was indeed equipped for this. My maternal grandmother was sick on and off most of my growing up years. Once my parents divorced when I was in high school and my mother went back to school to become a nurse, I helped care for her a lot – even taking her to doctor’s appointments and buying groceries for her when she was in the nursing home. As I said, my mother went back to nursing school when I was in high school, and I felt like I went to nursing school with her! She would teach me what she was learning, and after she was working full time, I got to hear many stories about her patients and how the doctors would treat them for various illnesses. Ten … [Read more...]

By John Hebert ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Unity is a key spiritual principle expressed in the Bible: two who walk together are in agreement (Amos 3:3); it is better to have two working together so that one can pick up the other if the other stumbles (Ecc. 9-12); and, a strand of rope consisting of three cords has great strength (Ecc. 3:12). Cohesion, working together for a single purpose, is an element of unity, which Jesus prayed about in His plea to the Father for you and me, living today (John 17:20-23). Building cohesion within a group is a primary task every leader must perform, so it is critically important to learn and develop this leadership skill. POWER OF COHESION Draft horses are a good example for explaining the power that is created by building cohesion. These animals are bred especially for pulling heavy loads. They are amazing beasts of burden with huge muscles, large hearts and lungs. A single draft horse weighing about 1,700 pounds can pull almost five times his body weight or 8,000 pounds. Moreover, yoked together, two of these herculean creatures can pull even more. Most people likely would guess the tandem could pull up to 16,000 pounds, but they would be wrong. Typically, two good draft … [Read more...]

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, (LBM)--You might be tired of hearing that we are living in unprecedented days, and, of listening to endless reports about the crisis, quarantine, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and flattening the curve. I know I am. So, how about some good news? Our churches are responding to the challenge with online worship, online giving, online Sunday school, and online prayer meetings. [I haven’t heard of an online dinner on the grounds, but I’m ready when someone tries that!] Others are doing drive-in church. We are at our best when our motto is: “Whatever it takes!” And you know what? You are doing great Louisiana Baptists! Louisiana Baptists also are providing real solutions to real problems in other ways: -- Louisiana College’s Pre-Engineering Department is making protective face shields and masks for hospitals. -- Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief has established a prayer line, distributed at least 24,000 N-95 respirators, and are participating in food distribution. -- Our Business Office, in cooperation with our Office of Public Policy and Communications Team, is helping associations and churches interpret the CARES Act which provides financial assistance for churches. You … [Read more...]

By Stewart Holloway How long has it been? That question is rather open ended, isn’t it? It begs a follow up question - Since what? These days we’re developing a long list of things we haven’t done in a while. How long has it been since we gathered for worship, went to a ballgame, ate at our favorite restaurant, went to class, had friends over, went in to work . . . . The long “been” creates a longing in our hearts for our favorite things but also many of the normal and mundane things of life. This question has been on my mind, creating another longing, however. I’ve been asking, “How long has it been since we saw an awakening in America?” Of course, I know the answer. While I didn’t have a course on leading your church through a world-wide pandemic in seminary, I did have an engaging doctoral seminar on spiritual awakenings. The last awakening that spread across all of America was also the first and only global awakening. It occurred over a century ago now, which means no one living today experienced it. This is the only era in America’s existence that there aren’t people alive who experienced a great awakening. On one hand, that is sad because it means no one can tell us first hand about the experience. We … [Read more...]

By D0n Pucik COVINGTON, La. - As the coronavirus disease spreads around the globe, thousands of deaths have forced decision-makers to cancel sporting events, restrict international travel, and discourage common social interactions. Individuals are being asked to self‑quarantine themselves. Financial markets are in disarray. Daily lives are being disrupted. For the elderly and others with weakened immune systems, the virus is more than an inconvenience: it is a deadly threat. Churches are also affected. Meeting for worship, Bible study, and fellowship, Christian congregations often represent the largest weekly gatherings in their communities. Church members sit near one another. They shake hands. They hug. They share meals. However, those routine interactions can easily facilitate disease transmission from one person to another. So, what should church leaders do to keep members safe? How can churches protect themselves and spread the gospel at the same time? How can they serve the hurting ones around them without exposing them to further harm (by unintentionally spreading the disease)? Here are five ways your church can respond to the dangers and disruptions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. (1) Rely on the … [Read more...]

By Stewart Holloway Do you live in fear or faith? COVID-19 has revealed a spirit of fear in America and the world. The financial markets have plummeted, store shelves are going bare, schools are shutting down, and sporting events are banning spectators. I am no scientist or medical doctor, however, I do have common sense. This reaction is madness. “Breaking news: one more person in the world has contracted the virus.” One in the WORLD? That’s not breaking news. If this disease can be prevented by washing your hands and is only dangerous to people to whom the flu and pneumonia are already dangerous, we need to calm down. Should we be practical to prevent spread, yes. But we have no reason to live in fear. Christians, could we start setting an example of what it means to live by faith and not by fear? Psalm 34 is one of the most powerful passages in the Bible on dealing with fear. King David wrote this psalm when he was pretending to be insane to protect himself. Since many people are being truly insane to protect themselves from COVID-19, we need to hear these truths today. These truths can also help if you are dealing with some rational fears today. Praise frames our prayers when our circumstances are … [Read more...]

By John Hebert, Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team leader ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits each leader needs to develop. Academic training prepares the mind about broad concepts and specific ideas and strategic planning creates consistency and cohesion among diverse units on the battlefield. But, it’s all about being able to adapt to situations as they actually exist that makes all the difference, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. It’s about being flexible in situations in real time in the real world that require real action without which defeat or setback would occur. When I was a youngster enjoying my summers, I had friends who would come to our house after church on Sunday nights. Bobby and Ruby Ulmer were members of our church and had a family of five, the same as my parents, and kids about the same ages as my brothers and my sister and I. Our parents would not let 10 kids share the house with them while they were visiting, so they made us play outside…at night…in the dark. But, that was fine with us. We played active games like “Chase” and “Hide and Go Seek” in the dark. At first playing in the dark was very challenging simply because it took … [Read more...]