The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on a gruesome procedure known as partial-birth abortion April 18, delivering an important victory for legislative efforts to protect unborn children. WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on a gruesome procedure known as partial-birth abortion April 18, delivering an important victory for legislative efforts to protect unborn children. The high court’s 5-4 decision reversed rulings by two federal appeals courts and affirmed the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act as the law of the land, marking the first judicially approved restriction on a specific procedure since the justices legalized abortion in 1973. The 2003 law prohibits an abortion technique that involves the killing – in at least the fifth month of pregnancy – of a nearly totally delivered baby normally. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito in the majority. Kennedy, who affirmed the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision in a crucial 1992 ruling, wrote in the majority opinion that the ban does not infringe on the right to abortion declared previously by the high court, meaning Roe remains in effect. He said … [Read more...]

When Houston Astros outfielder Luke Scott was a boy, his father made a bold decision for his family. It was a life-changing and eternity-changing decision. EDITORS’ NOTE: BP Sports columnist Tim Ellsworth recently visited Florida to do a series of stories on spring training as baseball players get ready to begin a new season. KISSIMMEE, Fla. (BP) – When Houston Astros outfielder Luke Scott was a boy, his father made a bold decision for his family. It was a life-changing and eternity-changing decision. Scott’s parents were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses. But Scott’s dad concluded that he wasn’t on the right path. Scott remembers a conversation his father had with him, his brother and his sister. “Look guys, I don’t have the answers to everything,” Scott said his dad told them. “This is all I’ve ever known, but I know it’s not the right thing.” Scott said his dad had been reading the Bible for himself, so he and his family left the cult behind, embracing the Bible alone as the new authority for their lives. And though Scott didn’t immediately become a Christian, his dad’s decision laid the groundwork for Scott to come to faith in Christ later in life. When Scott left home for college, his mother gave … [Read more...]

Some 14 pastors gathered Tuesday, April 17, at the Baptist Building to report on EKG-Louisiana and make suggestions for the statewide launch of the initiative. ALEXANDRIA – Some 14 pastors gathered Tuesday, April 17, at the Baptist Building to report on EKG-Louisiana and make suggestions for the statewide launch of the initiative. Pastors of pilot churches participating in the strategic initiative gathered to report on how the tool has assisted them in advancing God’s kingdom. “We have had good results … our baptisms are up. EKG is a great reminder of what we are about – being kingdom agents,” said Chris Kopp, pastor, Church Without Walls in Lafayette. Church Without Walls has an average attendance of 170 at Sunday morning worship, and some 70 percent of the congregation are new believers, the pastor said. The strategic initiative of EKG-Louisiana is a trilogy of special emphases designed for the local church to implement one after another within a calendar year. “EKG-Louisiana is a call to the kingdom of God. I hope that every congregation and every individual in a particular congregation will examine what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God and will re-engage the concept of the kingdom … [Read more...]

Kaleidoscope 2007 is to take place April 28 at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. ALEXANDRIA – Kaleidoscope 2007 is to take place April 28 at Calvary BaptistChurch in Alexandria.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. Kaleidoscope is a day for women to draw strength from each other and connect with God. Women from across our state learn how to live a life that makes our Heavenly Father smile. This day is to include a time of inspirational Bible teaching, heart-felt worship, challenging breakout conferences, and sweet fellowship, LBC womens missions and ministries leaders say. “Kaleidoscope has been something that I look forward to every year with great anticipation,” said Diane O’Neal of  First BaptistChurch in Golden Meadow. “I enjoy getting together with other women to grow in our knowledge to further the Kingdom of God. The Bible study, discipleship, and personal growth have always been something that can apply to all of our lives, no matter where we are in our walk with God. ... “I know the preparation of this conference has been planned with much thought and prayer. On April 28, 2007, I know that God … [Read more...]

Seeking staff Pastor needed at Goodwood Baptist, Baton Rouge. Resumes to Pastor Search Committee, 1813 Beechgrove Dr, Baton RougeLA 70806 . Worship leader needed at Grace New Orleans. Resumes to Search Committee, 3900 N Rampart, New OrleansLA70117. Charlie Dale is pastor. Minister of Music, part-time, sought by First Folsom, which has a weekly attendance of 250+ people, a 20-person adult choir and contemporary band of piano, drums, lead and bass guitars. Send resumes to fbcfolsom@bellsouth.net or call Bevery Voelkel at 985.796.5231. Worship leader needed at Trinity Franklinton. Resumes to PO Box 743 , Franklinton LA 70438 or email trinitystan@bellsouth.net. Full-time minister of education sought by Riverside Watson. Resumes to 36890 La. Hwy., Denham Springs LA 70706 or email rbcsbc@bellsouth.net. Larry Hubbard is pastor. First Farmerville is accepting resumes for pastor. Video tape messages are welcome. Send to First BaptistChurch, PO Box 296 , Farmerville LA 71241. Una George, search committee chairman. Pastorless: Tensas, Delta Association. Pastorless: New Era, Sicily Island First Baptist, and WallaceRidge, all in Ouachita Association. Available Supply pastor: Glyn Nale, … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Operation NOAH Rebuild continues sending volunteers  to save the structure of the  fellowship hall at Grace Baptist. The church’s informal FEMA trailer park is down to two trailers, down from five. And “a string of” backyard Bible clubs are planned for the space during the summer, Pastor Charlie Dale reports. WASHINGTON – Washington Baptist, an EKG pilot Church, accepts the Acts 1:8 challenge, reports Pastor Louis Charrier. Members participated in a mission trip April 11 to an orphanage in Piedras Negras Mexico. First Baptist Eunice cosponsored the trip. START – A Family Conference is set for June 29-30 at Start Baptist, with Casey Johnson as speaker and Brad Mount with music. Guest appearance by 2talk 42ministries. Pleasant Hill Drama Team and Start Baptist Praise Team will help lead worship. PARKS – Parks Baptist Mission will celebrate 20 years of ministry June 10, with revival services to start the previous Thursday, June 7. All people who have served at the church, attended services or had a hand in building the church are invited to participate in the celebration. Jimmy Johnstone is pastor. LOUISIANA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Gospel Trails, a wild horse ministry of Louisiana Baptist Association … [Read more...]

The latest findings from the LifeWay Research area of LifeWay Christian Resources give the top 10 reasons adults switch churches. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The latest findings from the LifeWay Research area of LifeWay Christian Resources give the top 10 reasons adults switch churches. This study builds on LifeWay Research’s 2006 study of the formerly churched, which explored the reasons adults stop going to church. The current findings explain why people change churches and how these situations differ from those in which the individual does not resume church attendance at all. Church switchers are defined as Protestant Americans who have attended more than one church regularly as an adult. “There are two types of people who slip out through the back door of the church,” said Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. “One group is probably leaving church permanently, and the other group is going to find a new church.” To understand why adults choose to change churches, 415 “non-mover” church switchers – who changed churches for reasons other than changes to their residential location – were surveyed in December 2006. The study results indicate that overall, those who change churches for … [Read more...]

Much is being done and more can be done to protect children from sexual predators within Southern Baptist churches, but an ABC News “20/20” segment on the issue April 13 amounted to “yellow journalism,” SBC President Frank Page says. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Much is being done and more can be done to protect children from sexual predators within Southern Baptist churches, but an ABC News “20/20” segment on the issue April 13 amounted to “yellow journalism,” SBC President Frank Page says. The segment focused on child sexual predators within Protestant churches, focusing on 10-20 occurrences within Southern Baptists’ 40,000 churches. In introducing the 16-minute segment, 20/20’s Elizabeth Vargas said, “What surprised us ... is how little is being done to stop it.” ABC’s Jim Avila used the term “preacher predators.” The segment spotlighted a youth pastor who sexually abused minors at a church in Kentucky, and then moved on to a Missouri church and did the same. Avila interviewed Page for roughly two hours recently, but in the end used just a few seconds of the interview, and Page said, left out what the denomination is doing to address the problem. “Much is being done right now and much is being done on the … [Read more...]

Several days ago, I was interviewed by ABC’s “20/20” news for an upcoming program tentatively titled, “Preacher Predators.” At the request of several, I agreed to this invitation so as to provide some kind of balance to a program which may well be overwhelmingly negative. TAYLORS, S.C. (BP) – Several days ago, I was interviewed by ABC’s “20/20” news for an upcoming program tentatively titled, “Preacher Predators.” At the request of several, I agreed to this invitation so as to provide some kind of balance to a program which may well be overwhelmingly negative. There has been a great deal of attention given to this subject in recent days. As I said to the reporter, we are willing and able to discuss this issue because even one instance of sexual abuse by a minister is too much. While I do not believe the problem is systemic and large-scale, there have been several reported cases of abuse by trusted members of staff in our churches. Let me help set a few matters clear for you. Some persons have accused Southern Baptists of ignoring the issue and hiding behind our polity. Let me clearly state that we believe in the autonomy of the local church as a biblical mandate. We are not hiding behind anything, except the … [Read more...]

Unfortunately, the “20/20” report last Friday had the effect of misleading at least some of its viewers to believe that the Southern Baptist Convention somehow condones, hides or denies sexual offenses committed by ministers in SBC-affiliated churches. The Convention does none of those things. Quite the contrary. D. August Boto is general counsel and vice president for convention policy with the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Unfortunately, the “20/20” report last Friday had the effect of misleading at least some of its viewers to believe that the Southern Baptist Convention somehow condones, hides or denies sexual offenses committed by ministers in SBC-affiliated churches. The Convention does none of those things. Quite the contrary. The report included accurate assertions, certainly. For instance, it is true that Southern Baptist ministers have been charged and/or convicted of sexually abusing children. It is true that in some of those instances, abuse had occurred earlier at churches where those men had been previously employed. It is apparently true that at least in one case a church previously employing a sexual predator and the church employing the offender at … [Read more...]