C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor It has been said "insanity" can be defined as doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. It has been said "insanity" can be defined as doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. It has been said "addiction" may be defined as uncontrolled craving for the thing that will destroy you. It has been said "sucker bet" may be defined as wagering on a guaranteed loser. When it comes to Louisiana and legalized gambling, all three definitions apply. Some 100 years ago, Louisiana bought into the promise of gambling - with disastrous results. The ensuing scandal made national headlines - and ended legalized gambling in the state for decades. The closing years of the last century saw Louisiana legislators bring it back in unparalleled fashion - approving riverboats, video poker, a state lottery and a land-based casino in the city of New Orleans. Insane, right? The money has been intoxicating for lawmakers, much as oil and gas revenues were in heady times so many years ago. Everyone has wanted a piece of the gambling pie, … [Read more...]
Women challenged to pray – and use their lives to minister to others
Shannon Baker New Orleans Seminary Women who pour themselves out in prayer, personal testimony and in the investment of relationships will be richly rewarded, speakers emphasized at this years Womens Leadership Consultation in New Orleans. They also will impact others. Women who pour themselves out in prayer, personal testimony and in the investment of relationships will be richly rewarded, speakers emphasized at this years Womens Leadership Consultation in New Orleans. They also will impact others. "God is using women today to influence other women to him," said consultation Coordinator Rhonda Kelley, wife of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley and adjunct professor of womens ministry. "As examples of Christ, we can touch the lives of women personally and biblically. ... Christian women today have the opportunity to influence generations through the power of prayer and one-to-one ministry." More than 200 women from New Orleans and other states attended the recent annual consultation, held this year at New Orleans Seminary. The theme was "Share Life - the life of a woman ... poured out into others," related to the Titus 2 idea of … [Read more...]
They just love to talk about hunting – and the gospel
Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor Louisiana is known as the Sportsmans Paradise, so it stands to reason the state is loaded with sportsmen. Indeed, someone looking for one of the largest special interest groups in Louisiana and adjoining states need look no further than outdoors men. Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor Louisiana is known as the Sportsmans Paradise, so it stands to reason the state is loaded with sportsmen. Indeed, someone looking for one of the largest special interest groups in Louisiana and adjoining states need look no further than outdoors men. With that in mind, two Louisiana sportsmen are fine tuning an effort to turn this strong interest into a natural venue to present the gospel to the vast numbers of hunters. David Fortenberry and Gene Hoyt have established Outdoor Evangelism Association Incorporated. The educational and outreach efforts of the men are aimed at presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ in a setting that attracts sportsmen who, in many cases, would not attend regular church meetings. The 15-month record of this targeted effort indicates significant success. "We just had a pastor call whose church is … [Read more...]
Annuity Board policy – churches that sever SBC ties cannot participate in plans
A running joke among Baptist ministers during two decades of denominational infighting has been, "If the Southern Baptist Convention splits, Im going with the Annuity Board." For some persons, it no longer could prove a laughing matter. A running joke among Baptist ministers during two decades of denominational infighting has been, "If the Southern Baptist Convention splits, Im going with the Annuity Board." For some persons, it no longer could prove a laughing matter. The Southern Baptist agency has reminded state conventions that its policies state staff members from churches that publicly sever ties with the convention no longer can be eligible to participate in Annuity Board retirement or insurance programs. The board can continue to manage asset accumulations and distributions for past participants but cannot accept additional contributions or make insurance programs available, officials explained. State convention officials have been asked to implement the established policy and to notify the Annuity Board when a church announces its withdrawal from the Southern Baptist Convention. The Church Annuity Plan is based on contractual … [Read more...]
Annual yearbook shows rank of denominations
The Roman Catholic Church continues to be the largest denomination in the United States, with Southern Baptists ahead of all others. The 2001 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches puts Roman Catholic membership at 62 million in this country. Southern Baptists are second with 15.8 million members, the yearbook reports. The Roman Catholic Church continues to be the largest denomination in the United States, with Southern Baptists ahead of all others. The 2001 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches puts Roman Catholic membership at 62 million in this country. Southern Baptists are second with 15.8 million members, the yearbook reports. The next-closest is the United Methodist Church at almost 8.4 million. Those figures represent little change from the previous yearbook. Indeed, most of United States and Canadian recorded membership gains or loses within a margin of 1 percent during that time. That shows a steadying of declines as high as 3 percent or 4 percent in some mainline denominations a decade ago. Catholics recorded a membership gain of 0.6 percent in 1999, the annual report indicated. Southern Baptists came in at 0.7 percent. Assemblies of God … [Read more...]
When it comes to missions service, take a lesson from Mormons, leader urges
Doy Cave New Orleans Seminary Southern Baptists could learn a great deal from rival, false gospels who are creating missionaries and subsequent converts at an alarming rate, Phil Roberts said. For instance, through daunting missionary efforts, Jehovahs Witnesses have grown to 5 million, 4 million of whom live outside the United States, Roberts said. Southern Baptists could learn a great deal from rival, false gospels who are creating missionaries and subsequent converts at an alarming rate, Phil Roberts said. For instance, through daunting missionary efforts, Jehovahs Witnesses have grown to 5 million, 4 million of whom live outside the United States, Roberts said. Even more impressive is the growth rate of the Mormon church, up 1,000 percent in the last 40 years and still growing through its aggressive missions efforts, he said. "Since the Second World War, when there were only a few thousand missionaries, (Mormon missionaries) have grown to over 50,000," said Roberts, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a former interfaith witness leader for Southern Baptists. "These missionaries now produce 300,000 converts ... each … [Read more...]
Help, keep Louisiana off ‘slippery slope’ of gambling
The term "slippery slope" has never been more appropriately used than when it is used to describe Louisiana’s descent into the throes of legalized gambling. The idea of a "slippery slope" is that once one step is taken onto the slope, a person slips and slides, unable to control his descent, to the bottom of the slope. Climbing back up the slippery slope is virtually impossible. The term "slippery slope" has never been more appropriately used than when it is used to describe Louisiana’s descent into the throes of legalized gambling. The idea of a "slippery slope" is that once one step is taken onto the slope, a person slips and slides, unable to control his descent, to the bottom of the slope. Climbing back up the slippery slope is virtually impossible. Louisiana has stepped onto the "slippery slope" of depending upon the revenue from legalized gambling and we are slipping pell-mell further down that slope. We have gone from having some parimutuel gambling at racetracks to almost every kind of wagering in only a handful of years. The state has fallen for every line politicians and casino operators have offered. Reason has gone out the window for the hope of easy … [Read more...]
Great preachers
In the article (Feb. 22) about Paige Pattersons comments at the NOBTS he states that he would be "hard-pressed to get past eight or 10" great Bible-teaching preachers. I find this comment an affront to the thousands of sincere and hard-working preachers who diligently and faithfully fulfill this responsibility. In the article (Feb. 22) about Paige Pattersons comments at the NOBTS he states that he would be "hard-pressed to get past eight or 10" great Bible-teaching preachers. I find this comment an affront to the thousands of sincere and hard-working preachers who diligently and faithfully fulfill this responsibility. He is essentiality telling me that my current and previous pastors are not good Bible teachers, wherein I strongly disagree. Furthermore, he offers little encouragement to the students at NOBTS that they will ever measure up to his standards. If Mr. Patterson believes that there is "a state of confusion" among Baptists, then he needs to examine his contribution to this situation over the past 20 years. However, if he really intended to say there are only eight to 10 teachers in whom he finds theological agreement, then we are indeed better off than … [Read more...]
Sex on television – a study confirms what many have been saying television is filled with sex, and it is getting worse
C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor It used to be that the scary question for parents was - "Its 11 oclock - do you know where your children are?" It is time to amend the thought. Now, it seems the question should read - "The television is on - do you know what your children are watching?" Chances are, sex is involved, a new study indicates. It used to be that the scary question for parents was - "Its 11 oclock - do you know where your children are?" It is time to amend the thought. Now, it seems the question should read - "The television is on - do you know what your children are watching?" Chances are, sex is involved, a new study indicates. Indeed, there has been a significant increase in the number of television shows with sexual content during the last two years, the "Sex on TV: Content and Context" study shows. And in case anyone thinks to argue that the content may be positive, the study also shows that just one in ten of the shows in question includes a reference to safer sex or to the possible risks and responsibilities of sex. In other words, television is selling a … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of March 8, 2001 Potpourri MONROE - Calvary church: Baptist Heritage Conference; March 16-17, 6:30 p.m.; March 18, 9 a.m.; Tom Nettles and Joe Nesom, speakers; Bill Robertson, pastor. MONROE - Seeker Springs Ministries: Bible Conference; March 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; March 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; cost is $15 per person (covers all study materials and refeshments); Bob Utley, conference leader; for information or for reservations, contact Terry Slawson at (318) 249-4495. NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Theological Seminary: preview weekend; March 8-10; for information or for registration forms, call the Office of Student Enlistment at 1-800-662-8701, ext. 3303. SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: Testify in concert; March 11, 10:45 a.m.; Gary Melanson, minister of music; Irvin Boudreaux, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Broadmoor church: Jim Cole in concert; March 16, 7:30 p.m.; sponsored by single adult ministry; Jim Ewing, minister with single adults; Chuck Pourciau, pastor. UNION HILL - Union Hill church: congregational singing; March 10, 7 p.m.; Sherman Busby, pastor. WASHINGTON - Washington mission: Triumphant Singers in concert and Wayne … [Read more...]
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