By Lisa Sergent Illinois Baptist State Association Churches may face rough financial waters as the baby boom generation hit their retirement years, pollster George Barna predicted. The reason is simple. Churches may face rough financial waters as the baby boom generation hit their retirement years, pollster George Barna predicted. The reason is simple. The more than 76 million adults born between 1946 and 1964 have"tenuous ties to the church," Barna noted in an article posted on his Web site - www.barna.org. Baby boomers are becoming the wealthiest generation and the most self-absorbed as they age, Barna noted. "In days to come, I see them dropping out (of church) as their children continue leaving the home." Boomers now are between 37 and 55 years old and in their peak earning potential. As they adjust to more limited incomes in retirement - or if they start to drop out of churches as Barna foresees - they will be followed by the baby busters, a smaller segment of the population unlikely to amass the boomers collective financial strength. That will lead to financial woes for churches, including foreclosures - because the baby busters are not as inclined to give and are less inclined to attend church than … [Read more...]
Recent court decision offers good news for religion
The United States Supreme Court recently demonstrated that the laws of the land should not discriminate in favor of a particular religion or against religion. The United States Supreme Court recently demonstrated that the laws of the land should not discriminate in favor of a particular religion or against religion. The case in point concerned the Good News Club in Milford, N.Y. Until September 1996, Milfords club met at the Milford Center Community Bible Church. But problems developed with the bus service, so Pastor Steven Fournier asked permission for the club to meet once a week, after school hours, in the cafeteria of Milford Center School. The district school superintendent denied the pastors application. He reasoned that meetings of the Good News Club would violate a state policy that says, in part, "School premises shall not be used by any individual or organization for religious purposes." The church, with the aide of the Rutherford Institute of Charlottesville, Va., went into federal court where it lost in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. The church, with the help of Rutherford, appealed further to the U.S. Supreme Court, where their view … [Read more...]
A bad bet A new book confirms the worst fears – gambling and politics in the Bayou State have spawned corruption (part two)
Ask Ken Ward to evaluate the latest legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, and he will offer a reality lesson in politics. Ask Ken Ward to evaluate the latest legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, and he will offer a reality lesson in politics. "You have to remember this was the second year of a four-year term for this group of legislators," noted Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "And to be honest, moral and social concerns usually take a beating in the second year of a term. "The legislators do not have to run for re-election for another couple of years, and they figure people will have short memories by that time in terms of what they do. "So, we usually face a tough time." However, that was not the case this year. Indeed, set within the context of such political reality, the recent session of the Louisiana Legislature does not look so bad, Ward suggested. "We won a few, and we lost a few," he acknowledged. "Some good things passed - and some things that did not pass has to be considered with the good." A review of key areas … [Read more...]
A bad bet A new book confirms the worst fears – gambling and politics in the Bayou State have spawned corruption (part one)
LBM Associate Editor The two men met on an early spring day in San Francisco - they had arranged to have lunch together as one of them passed through town for a few hours. LBM Associate Editor The two men met on an early spring day in San Francisco - they had arranged to have lunch together as one of them passed through town for a few hours. However, it was more than a casual get together. It was lunch with a purpose. As the two men ate, a briefcase filled with $100 bills - enough to total $400,000 - rested in a car trunk. The briefcase would change hands at the end of the meal. But for now, one of the men was asking the other how he planned to move the money through security after being dropped off at the airport with the briefcase. "Thats not a problem," the man said, opening his thick plaid shirt to reveal a chest-high, double-layered money vest. The money would go there. After lunch, the two men headed back to the airport. There, former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. deposited his passenger, who was headed to Vail, Colo. As DeBartolo drove away, former Louisiana Gov. … [Read more...]
Missions opportunity
I am writing this letter on behalf of the National Fellowship of Baptist Educators, to inform student youth groups and their leaders of an exciting missions opportunity coming this fall. I am writing this letter on behalf of the National Fellowship of Baptist Educators, to inform student youth groups and their leaders of an exciting missions opportunity coming this fall. Without leaving home they can help to plant seeds of the Gospel and in some instances share their faith with Chinese students who are taking English and who want American pen-pals. Each year, during September and October, students in participating schools and colleges in China write letters addressed "To my American Friend," and their teachers send the letters to the International Book Project of Samford University. From there the Fellowship of Baptist Educators distributes them to Christian groups who will answer them. We are looking for Baptist youth groups, Sunday School classes, Acteens, Challengers, Baptist Student groups on college campuses, and Christian clubs such as First Priority who would like to participate. Students participating should be in college or in grades 7-12. To obtain letters, along with guidelines … [Read more...]
Prayer of Jabez
RE: Yet another article on the Prayer of Jabez. If this book or this prayer of Jabez is giving hope, encouragement or even increasing faith - then I cant see why we should criticize it in any way or judge it to be wrong. RE: Yet another article on the Prayer of Jabez. If this book or this prayer of Jabez is giving hope, encouragement or even increasing faith - then I cant see why we should criticize it in any way or judge it to be wrong. I have prayed the prayer of Jabez many years, before even hearing of this current interest in the book written by Bruce Wilkinson. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and any portion is sacred. If anyone reads Gods Holy Word and tries to apply it to their own life, I say, "Praise the Lord." Lets not try to analyze every move that another Christian makes - or what God is doing through them. Going to God should be encouraged. When God has blessed someone through His scripture, and that person shares it with others, we should appreciate the history of what that scripture has done for them. In sharing what they have learned, it gives others the courage to do the same thing. We can start to believe, as the song goes, "what He has … [Read more...]
Avoiding problems
Thank you for your wise and timely editorial on declining the offer of government money for faith-based ministries (July 26). Thank you for your wise and timely editorial on declining the offer of government money for faith-based ministries (July 26). In it, you refer to the House Judiciary Committees amendment requiring organizations to segregate direct government grants from other contributions. There is another kind of segregation that even more effectively avoids many of the problems that arise from accepting government money. It is to segregate the ministry from a religious organization altogether by forming a 501(c)(3)legal corporation separate from the church. For example, members of a Sunday School class might form a corporation for the purpose of providing food for the poor in the community. The corporation could then apply for government funding to buy the food, and the food could be dispensed by volunteers. It might even be possible to dispense the food from the church's building. What could not be done is to use occasion of dispensing food to evangelize people. Also, if the corporation needed to employ persons to distribute the food, it could not discriminate against … [Read more...]
Positive approach
RE: "The Cooperative Program: tried and proven" This is a great article placing importance of the SBC Cooperative Program above, and also as a focal point for, Baptists allegiances over the ongoing controversy in the Convention. RE: "The Cooperative Program: tried and proven" This is a great article placing importance of the SBC Cooperative Program above, and also as a focal point for, Baptists allegiances over the ongoing controversy in the Convention. As a Christian and Baptist for 65 years, there have always been differences among Baptists. However in my life none became so large that people would give up their commitment to fundamental organizations that have carried out Gods will so diligently over such a long period and where there has never been any doubt that the efforts were, from the beginning, Gods will. My wife and I have always supported the Cooperative Program, not only because it was part of our involvement with the SBC but more so because the evidence over 150 years was that it was Gods plan, and He has continued to bless it. The continuing growth in resources and results for the Lord which are occurring through the Cooperative Program even … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of August 16, 2001 Potpourri BAKER - Faith church: Tony Gore and Majesty in concert; Aug. 23, 7 p.m.; Jodi Harriman, music director; Tom Simmons, pastor. HARRISONBURG - First church: Bible Drill, Speakers Tournament and TeamKid Leadership Training Conference; Aug. 23, 7 - 8:30 p.m.; Ralph Webber, pastor. SULPHUR - First church: Hearts Desire in concert; Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m.; Donald W. Dukes, minister of music; Ronnie Burke, interim pastor. TIOGA - Faith church: Safely Anchored in concert; Aug. 26, 7 p.m.; Fred Alexander, minister of music; Rick Bullock, pastor. WALKER - Judson church: The Perrys, Pickin Up The Pieces and The Harrells in concert; Aug. 18, 6 p.m.; Reggie Bergeron, minister of music; Merelin McCon, pastor. WEST MONROE - Mt. Vernon church: Southern Charm in concert; Aug. 26, 10:20 a.m.; Doyle Chambers, minister of music; Woody Rimes, pastor. Homecomings BATON ROUGE - Oakcrest church: Aug. 19, 10:20 a.m.; Darwin Hall, speaker; Glorify Him, music; Phillip B. Hanna, music director; Ace McVay, pastor. MOREAUVILLE - Bayou Des Glaises church: Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m.; Bruce Wangle, speaker; dinner to follow; … [Read more...]
Cost of caring for staff member is different than his income
Church staff compensation is a sensitive area of consideration for churches. If one questions the validity of this statement, all that person needs do is sit in on a personnel committee, a finance committee, Church staff compensation is a sensitive area of consideration for churches. If one questions the validity of this statement, all that person needs do is sit in on a personnel committee, a finance committee, a budget planning committee or a church business meeting of the Baptist church discussing a budget. Setting church staff salaries is usually a complex matter with many converging factors. And, just about every church goes about setting salaries and benefits in a manner unique unto itself. As much as one might like to avoid such often controversial considerations, striving to provide staff adequate salaries and benefits is essential, so concerned church members might as well take an honest look at them. One of the basic facts of staff salaries that congregations should keep in mind is this: There is a significant difference between what it costs for a church to have a minister in its care (employment) and what the staff member actually receives as … [Read more...]
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