DEVILLE – One of the hardest things for me to do lately is to get to church at the right time. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor DEVILLE – One of the hardest things for me to do lately is to get to church at the right time. But somehow, God is in control and I end up in the place where God wants me to be. One recent week I set off for First Tioga, following my plan of one week attending a church in the local area, and the next week, out of the area. By the way, I’m glad to come visit your church. Just invite me! And tell me what time the service starts. Someone had good words to say about First Tioga Pastor David Cranford, so I thought to go hear him preach, but when I arrived at 10:25 a.m., the church sign said services started at 10 a.m. I had passed Paradise Baptist, Ball, and had seen their church started at 10:30 sign, so doubled back there, and was blessed first by the gift of a crocheted bookmark produced by the WMU, and later by the preaching of Farrell McMorris as well as the generous outpouring of love the congregation shared with each other and me. Last week I drove out Hwy. 28, passed one church that has been written about a lot in the Message, but then got worried that I … [Read more...]
Uth speaks to young pastors
MONROE – David Uth encouraged pastors last week to implement a ministry of humility. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE – David Uth encouraged pastors last week to implement a ministry of humility. “The most important word that needs to describe you and your ministry is humility because it is what God honors and believes in,” he told a group of young ministers from across the state attending the inaugural Paul Timothy Conference at First Baptist Church of Monroe. “Humility is the heart of the pastor.” The conference was designed to encourage pastors under 40 years of age to gain leadership insight from a seasoned pastor such as Uth, who serves as pastor at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla. “The conference accomplished all our goals,” said Alan Miller, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of pastoral leadership. “Leadership development is the main goal in an event like this. David Uth gave excellent leadership principles that could be life-changing for these pastors if they choose to implement those ideas.” Throughout the day, Uth offered advice on challenges that pastors face each week. Among those challenges are: • Not enough time to accomplish the task at hand. Uth urged … [Read more...]
Leaders: Golf history awaits
ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs and Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Wayne Taylor said recently that history is in the making as ministers and laymen from across Louisiana find their way to Cypress Bend Golf Resort on Toledo Bend Lake for a two-day golf event May 8 and 9. By Joanne Brechtel Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs and Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Wayne Taylor said recently that history is in the making as ministers and laymen from across Louisiana find their way to Cypress Bend Golf Resort on Toledo Bend Lake for a two-day golf event May 8 and 9. The tournament is to be the first jointly-sponsored event between the two Louisiana Baptist Convention agencies, and promises to be even better than its previous 24 or more tourneys. Boggs and Taylor assure registrants that the sights and sounds from the surrounding lake and natural wildlife habitats in the woodlands at the resort are most inviting. “Those who have previously participated in tournaments at this breathtaking location look forward to returning and first timers will enjoy the superior course and accommodations,” Boggs said. “These will be a lingering memory … [Read more...]
NOBTS sees bright future
NEW ORLEANS – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary set a course for the seminary’s future by establishing two degree-granting extension centers, restructuring undergraduate and church music degrees and launching new doctoral specializations during their spring meeting. By Gary D. Myers New Orleans Seminary Public Relations NEW ORLEANS – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary set a course for the seminary’s future by establishing two degree-granting extension centers, restructuring undergraduate and church music degrees and launching new doctoral specializations during their spring meeting. The meeting opened with an encouraging report from NOBTS President Chuck Kelley. In his remarks, Kelley presented a positive picture of the seminary’s recovery and future. He called attention to the assistance of Southern Baptists in the seminary’s recovery process. “We are very grateful for the difference the Cooperative Program made in the New Orleans Seminary Hurricane Katrina experience,” Kelley said. “Southern Baptists kept a challenge from becoming a crisis. We are no longer in survival mode. We are in growth and opportunity mode. The SBC threw its full weight into giving us … [Read more...]
Foundation plans for future
ALEXANDRIA – In their second quarterly meeting of 2006, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees focused on the future while celebrating the present: a positive return on investments. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – In their second quarterly meeting of 2006, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees focused on the future while celebrating the present: a positive return on investments. The Foundation anticipates a return to the Louisiana Baptist Convention office building, Executive Director Wayne Taylor suggested to the trustees. The current building could be leased for additional revenue for the LBC, Taylor added. A return to the state convention offices could happen within the year, Taylor said in conversation after the meeting. “This proposal is being considered by the LBC Executive Board,” Taylor said. “The move would allow the Foundation to continue receiving ‘free office space’ and generate income to the LBC to address some deferred maintenance issues and update the LBC building.” The bulk of the discussion at the quarterly meeting centered on the possibility that the Foundation could assist churches with capital fundraising campaigns. It’s a service the state … [Read more...]
Song strikes honor chord
SAREPTA – Despite what almost seems like a plethora of patriotic songs, America does not have a nationally-recognized ballad for Memorial Day. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor SAREPTA – Despite what almost seems like a plethora of patriotic songs, America does not have a nationally-recognized ballad for Memorial Day. But there’s a growing movement toward one, since city alderman, high school history teacher and coach Tony Mullins wrote “Memorial Day” at the offhand request of the music minister at his church, New Sarepta Baptist. “It’s not like I’m trying to make the “Star-Spangled Banner” or something,” Mullins said with a disparaging grin. “But people keep calling about it.” “Memorial Day” was featured last year at week-long festivities in Waterloo, N.Y., a patriotic village in upstate New York known as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Ever since, the song has been spreading across the nation via the Internet. “I don’t want to charge anything for the use of the sheet music this year,” Mullins said. “It’s something given to me and I want to share it with others.” Mullins says he can’t sing a lick, doesn’t read music and doesn’t much care for poetry. But one day a couple of … [Read more...]
Freddie Arnold receives ‘Bravo!’
ARLINGTON, Texas – About 350 disaster relief leaders attended the annual SBC-wide Disaster Relief Roundtable last week at Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. ARLINGTON, Texas – About 350 disaster relief leaders attended the annual SBC-wide Disaster Relief Roundtable last week at Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. Freddie Arnold, a church planting missionary with the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans assigned the Disaster Relief Coordinator role after Katrina, received a Distinguished Service Award for his recovery work. With more than 350 leaders present, Arnold thanked Southern Baptists for their assistance in Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “Thank you for being faithful with the trust we’ve been entrusted with in sharing Jesus Christ,” Arnold said. “You’ve helped establish integrity and respect of Southern Baptists in south Louisiana.” … [Read more...]
CP receipts show increase
ALEXANDRIA - One would think Cooperative Program giving might be hindered by the major disasters that swept the coast of Louisiana. However, first quarter CP receipts from Louisiana Baptist churches are running 7.18 percent over 2005 first quarter receipts. By LBC Communications ALEXANDRIA - One would think Cooperative Program giving might be hindered by the major disasters that swept the coast of Louisiana. However, first quarter CP receipts from Louisiana Baptist churches are running 7.18 percent over 2005 first quarter receipts. “We are grateful to be a conduit for our churches’ mission giving,” said Dale Lingenfelter, LBC director of Business and Information Services. “Obviously, the storms served as an Acts 1:8 wake up call for some to be more engaged in reaching their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth through the Cooperative Program.” The Cooperative Program is the funding mechanism for a worldwide network of mission ministries. These ministries include the Louisiana State Convention mission work, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, Louisiana College, The International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, six theological seminaries, the Ethics and Religious Liberty … [Read more...]
Prayer focuses on abortion, law
BATON ROUGE – Intercessors for Louisiana (IFL). Join us for prayer at the Capitol on the second Tuesday of each month in Senate Committee Room A, 7 p.m. Next meeting: May 9. By Todd Trahan Special to the Message BATON ROUGE – Intercessors for Louisiana (IFL). Join us for prayer at the Capitol on the second Tuesday of each month in Senate Committee Room A, 7 p.m. Next meeting: May 9. I need to give this report in a form that goes chronologically to do justice to the wonderful thing God did in our midst at the Capitol. We had a short meeting with leadership of IFL before 7 p.m. on April 11 to discuss a few things, along with Roger and Charlotte Mershbrock of Prayer Focus Ministries, who joined us as well. We sensed the Lord wanted to touch two themes in prayer: the Lord as Lawgiver and the abortion issue. Before we began the actual meeting, an intercessor pulled me aside and gave me a small bag with some items in them that she felt the Lord had her buy to give to me. In this bag were: a set of hanging scales that balance and weigh; a framed picture of God’s hand holding a plumb line with the Scripture Amos 7: 7, 8; some chalk powder (high visibility red in color) that you would use to pop a … [Read more...]
New Orleans alumni and friends to hear about campus renewal
GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s annual Alumni & Friends Luncheon will be a time of celebration for the renewal of the campus following Hurricane Katrina. GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s annual Alumni & Friends Luncheon will be a time of celebration for the renewal of the campus following Hurricane Katrina. The June 14 luncheon will be in the Sheraton Four Seasons’ Guilford F/G Ballrooms immediately following the Wednesday morning session of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley will report on the progress of the campus restoration, about the return of classes to the main campus and new initiatives the seminary will launch during the coming school year. Kelley also will present the seminary’s distinguished alumni awards. Tickets – at $10 each before June 1, $12 after June 1 – are on sale by mail and online. Tickets also will be available at the NOBTS booth in the SBC exhibits hall. To purchase a ticket before the SBC, mail a check payable to NOBTS to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Attention Alumni Relations, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126. For information about … [Read more...]
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