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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Why Southern Baptists are not tithing like they should

By Joe McKeever, retired pastor and DOM, author from New Orleans “Southern Baptists are not even approaching anything close to a tithe of their total income.” – Dr. Will Hall, The Baptist Message The Baptist Message for Oct. 8, 2015 goes into detail about the financial situation facing our denomination.  For the first time ever, we’re told, designated receipts are outpacing gifts to denominational causes through our Cooperative Program. What that means is that our churches – and that means our pastors – are directing larger and larger portions of the offering plate money to the causes they wish to support.  As a result, they are slowly beginning the process of defunding the causes they’re not supporting. Underlying the various aspects of this financial crisis is one huge factor: Fewer of our people are tithing their income through their churches these days. Will Hall writes, “Southern Baptists are robbing God.... Southern Baptists teach tithing, but whatever we are doing is not connecting with our people...” That stopped me short. I appreciate Will’s positive spin on things in saying we teach tithing. But he’s wrong. We are not teaching tithing. We used to. There was a time when churches would have … [Read more...]

First@First speakers share wisdom from a Christian perspective

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Northwestern State men’s head basketball coach Mike McConathy is not just about winning games on the court but also teaching young men off the court how to be effective in life. “What’s my job as a coach?” McConathy told those attending the recent First@First Business Leaders Lunch at First Baptist Church in Pineville. “To teach young men how to be effective in everything they do.” Whether in coaching or business, training for life-effectiveness involves two key components, McConathy said. They are communication and paying attention to details. “If we expect a lot of others we’ve got to give a lot,” said McConathy, who has served as coach of the Demons for 16 years. “And I think that we give and we give unconditionally because Christ gave unconditionally for us.” McConathy said he doesn’t ask his players to do something he would not do himself. “My philosophy is if somebody asks me to do it, I’m going to find a way to do it, because they would not ask me to do something if they really didn’t need help,” he said. “A lot of times with God, how frustrating do you think He gets with us because He asks us to study scripture, He asks us to praise Him, He asks us to … [Read more...]

Ways messengers can participate

BOSSIER CITY – This year’s annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention will be held at First Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA on November 9-10, 2015. In order for a church to participate in the business of the convention, they will need to elect messenger(s) to represent them. Messengers elected by their respective church are then able to register as messengers and participate in the business of the convention. The Credentials Committee oversees the registration process for the annual meeting. Roger Johnson, LBC Credentials Committee Chairman notes that there are five ways that messengers may be certified to participate and vote at this year’s annual convention. The first and simplest way is for messengers to pre-register using the LBC online program, print out their registration card, and bring the card to the annual meeting. Pre-registration in this way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes, Johnson said. Second, if messengers have not pre-registered, bringing a letter from their church on church letterhead stating that they are elected messengers will allow them to register and be certified to vote. Third, a church officer can phone in the names of elected … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Bylaw Amendment Change That the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, November 9-10, 2015 amend the Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaws, Article III, Section 5, as follows: The Committee on Credentials shall be composed of seven (7) members. It shall supervise the registration and accreditation of messengers to the Convention, and shall manage the application process for congregations desiring to become a cooperating church with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and qualified to send messengers for the first time. It shall recommend to the Convention, when necessary, the disaffiliation of any Louisiana Baptist Convention church that no longer complies with the Convention’s definition of a cooperating church. It shall recommend action to the Convention concerning disputes as to status of persons as messengers. … [Read more...]

Louisiana ACLU accuses Airline High, principal of pushing religion

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Northwest Louisiana is the sight of yet another battle for religious freedom in public schools. The Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently sent a letter to the superintendent of the Bossier Parish Schools, accusing Airline High School of “engaging in a pattern of religious proselytization.” The letter states that prayer boxes with Christian symbols have been established throughout the school and religious messages have been included in newsletters posted on Airline High School’s website. After the letter was sent to Bossier Parish Schools, the ACLU learned information from a source was not entirely accurate. “We had a photograph of those boxes and were told that they were scheduled to be installed the next day, which did not happen,” said ACLU Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman in an email to The Baptist Message. “Our goal is, as it always is, to ensure compliance with the law. I hope you will make clear that the ACLU has a long and proud history of defending the religious rights of all Americans.” The ACLU also states in the letter they understand that Airline High School Principal Jason Rowland has encouraged students to … [Read more...]

Prayer breakfast first step toward a pregnancy care center in Cenla

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer POLLOCK – For nearly two years, Brian Gunter has prayed for a way to minister to hundreds of women struggling with crisis pregnancy who are living in central Louisiana. Now Gunter believes God has answered his prayers, with the possible establishment of a pregnancy care center in the area. “The desire of my heart is to see our Southern Baptist churches in Cenla engage in a cooperative missions effort to share the gospel with these women and to save the lives of their unborn children,” Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pollock, wrote in a letter mailed to churches in the central Louisiana area. “Southern Baptists are adamantly pro-life and missions-minded. It is time that we practice what we preach because God has called us to save souls and save lives. This is our opportunity to do so.” Gunter said that starting a pregnancy care center allows for Southern Baptists to do what they are known for – carrying the gospel around the world, but closer to home. He said that the problem of the women is not that they are unmarried or pregnant out of wedlock, but rather symptoms of a problem – their need for Christ. Gunter said this pregnancy care center will be used to introduce … [Read more...]

Employing ‘The Bridge,’ Nicholls BCM experiencing decision after decision

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer THIBODAUX – Before the fall semester began, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry leadership at Nicholls State University was praying for at least one student to come to a saving relationship with Christ. By the end of September, they had gotten much more – 19 to be exact. “It’s pretty wild,” said Nicholls BCM President Zach Vorenkamp, a senior from Houston, Texas. “The Lord is really moving. If it’s anything we are doing, it’s being intentional – sharing the gospel and creating disciples.” The catalyst for the growth began when BCM Director Conan Sherlin and his wife, Christy, and a friend of the BCM attended a national conference for BCM directors. It was there they were led to discuss with the leadership team at Nicholls a vision to share Jesus with students through the gospel appointments method. Gospel appointments begin with someone in leadership connecting with a first-time visitor to the BCM, asking for a phone number with the intention of sending a text and invitation to coffee within 48 hours. Then, two BCM members – one experienced and one just learning – sit down with the individual and explaining the gospel using the Bridge illustration. Through this method, the BCM … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Jonathan (wife Amy) LeFleur is the new associate pastor of youth and administration at Mulberry Baptist Church in Houma. Jason (wife Becky) Shawley is the new associate pastor of students at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Albany. HOMECOMING Colyell Baptist Church, Livingston: 164th Homecoming and Fall Revival, Oct. 25-28, homecoming, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. A covered dish lunch and fellowship will follow the service. Revival, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 7 p.m. Speaker: Lynn Rodrigue. Music: Jim Richardson. Pastor: Bill Holifield. Parhams Baptist Church, Jonesville: Homecoming, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Speaker: Tony Ganey. New Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, Shreveport: 40th anniversary celebration, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. The theme for the occasion is, “God’s People Laboring in the Building of His Kingdom,” Psalm 127:1. Speaker: Gilbert Ross. Pastor: Danny R. Mitchell, Jr. Eastside Baptist Church, Rayville: Homecoming, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served after service. Revival: Nov. 2-4, 6 p.m. The Crusaders will be in concert and worship. Pastor: Chris Crawford. Woodlawn Baptist Church, Woodlawn:  66th Homecoming Celebration, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.  Speaker: … [Read more...]

Luter challenges worshippers to read Bible, follow its rules at National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium

By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press PHILADELPHIA (BP) -- Christians can lead holy lives by the same power the Apostle Paul called on in his struggle between the flesh and the Spirit recorded in Romans 7, immediate past Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told worshippers at a Philadelphia gathering of black Southern Baptist pastors and leaders. "The reason Southern Baptists … I am convinced that we can win this battle is because of this fact. You're not fighting this battle on your own. You're not fighting this battle under your own strength," Luter said in the Sept. 30 keynote sermon of the National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium at Nazarene Baptist Church. "The reason we can win this battle … is because of the Jesus that's in you, because of the power of Christ that is in you." Luter's sermon, "The Super Bowl for Your Soul," capped presentations by seven other pastors and denominational leaders at the event hosted by NAAF president and Nazarene Baptist Church Pastor K. Marshall Williams Sept. 29–30 at the church in the historic Germantown community. "Living Holy and Clean in 2015: What shall we say to these things?" was the symposium theme. "The enemy is after your mind, your marriage, your … [Read more...]

More Canaanite evidence found by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary dig team

By Gary D. Myers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications KARMEI YOSEF, Israel (BP) - Added evidence that an ancient water system at Tel Gezer in Israel could be the product of Middle Bronze Age Canaanites living between the time of Abraham and the Israelite conquest was uncovered by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's archaeology team during a challenging dig season this summer. The Bible provides a tantalizing parallel to the Gezer system in the accounts of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-9, David's men utilized a "water shaft" to invade and conquer the fortress of Zion/Jerusalem. This rock-hewn system has been located in Jerusalem's "City of David" area. Visitors can walk the entire length of that Canaanite system. Based on all the available data, Dan Warner, co-director of the NOBTS Gezer dig, believes the City of David tunnel and the Gezer system are both products of the Middle Bronze Age. The Gezer water system excavation is a joint project of the Moskau Institute for Archaeology at NOBTS and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). The dig is co-directed by Dan Warner, an NOBTS professor, and INPA chief archaeologist Tsvika Tsuk. Jim Parker, NOBTS professor and executive director of the … [Read more...]