Even as the world goes through sometime cataclysmic changes, the hunger for meaning in life remains, research indicates.   Unfortunately, research also suggests that people are not finding the answers they seek in traditional institutions. Even as the world goes through sometime cataclysmic changes, the hunger for meaning in life remains, research indicates.   Unfortunately, research also suggests that people are not finding the answers they seek in traditional institutions.   Recently-reported data shows two contrasting trends - a decline of attendance at religious services through industrialized nations and a persistence of religious beliefs and spiritual concerns, reports the Emerging Trends, a publication of the Princeton Religion Research Center.   Of 20 advanced industrialized societies, only two show increases in church attendance, the newsletter reports. In contrast, attendance is growing in five of seven ex-Communist societies, the publication notes.   At the same time, even industrialized regions show a persistence of spiritual concerns, data indicates. Modern persons "are less attached to traditional forms of religions, ... but they are more likely to … [Read more...]

The classroom was a car and the professor was my then five-year-old son. I thought of that day’s lesson again, a quarter of a century later, as I read the article about prayer beginning on the front page of this issue. The classroom was a car and the professor was my then five-year-old son. I thought of that day’s lesson again, a quarter of a century later, as I read the article about prayer beginning on the front page of this issue.   We were on the way to visit a family of our church. The son of that family had received a degree of brain damage at birth. He was a sweet kid twice the age of my son. While his body was that of a 12-year-old, it was very uncoordinated, and his mental ability and maturity were that normally of a child younger than my son. This incongruity apparently troubled my son, and he may have even found it somewhat frightening.   Ron sat silently as we drove across town but suddenly blurted, "Daddy, we have to pray for Mike."   This was a reasonable, understandable statement. Ron regularly heard our church pray for people with illnesses. His Sunday School teacher led his class in prayer for people in need. I was thankful Ron understood the rightness of praying … [Read more...]

Once again, Louisiana College has been recognized as one of the best college buys in the nation. Once again, Louisiana College has been recognized as one of the best college buys in the nation.   The Louisiana Baptist school was one of select institutions listed in the recently-released Fifth Annual Report of America’s 100 Best College Buys.   It marks one of two recent "best college" lists on which the Pineville school is included - and may be the most prestigious, since it is limited to just 100 schools across the nation.   "To be chosen as one of only 100 schools across the country to be listed in this prestigious publication is a testament to the quality of Louisiana College’s educational experience," LC President Rory Lee emphasized.   "We strive to give our students the very best education possible at the most affordable rate possible. We are pleased to have our efforts recognized."   The 100 "best buys" were selected from more than 1,200 colleges that provide quality, four-year education at a cost lower - or less than 10 percent higher - than the national average, school officials explained. The average is calculated from the regular cost at private … [Read more...]

Check the local Christian bookstore – how many titles are there related to demons and territorial spirits and intricate spiritual warfare? Not only is there a demon behind every bush, as some say, but there seems to be plenty lurking on Christian bookshelves as well. Check the local Christian bookstore – how many titles are there related to demons and territorial spirits and intricate spiritual warfare? Not only is there a demon behind every bush, as some say, but there seems to be plenty lurking on Christian bookshelves as well.   Unfortunately, many of the popularized books miss a fundamental point regarding spiritual warfare, suggested Alvin Reid, associate professor of evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.   It is not battling demons but battling to bring people to Christ, he emphasized.   "If every unsaved person for whom you prayed in the last six months suddently came to Christ, how many would be saved? ..." Reid asked during a recent Louisiana Baptist seminar.   "That’s spiritual warfare. (And) I promise you this – if you’re concentrating more time on the devil than on lost people coming to Christ, I would argue that you’re … [Read more...]

A week after Louisiana Baptists Convention messengers met to decide their annual business, Baptist young people from across the state gathered to take care of gospel business. A week after Louisiana Baptists Convention messengers met to decide their annual business, Baptist young people from across the state gathered to take care of gospel business.   Some 4,000 youth met in Alexandria November 19-21 for the annual Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Celebration. The event continues to be the largest Louisiana Baptist gathering of the year.   Without question, it also is the most energetic.   As in previous years, the recent youth celebration featured high-energy music and presentations from Christian artists and bands; faith testimonies from young people; and addresses designed to challenge Christian teenagers to greater discipleship and to draw lost young people to personal faith in Jesus Christ.   "The Youth Evangelism Celebration is ... the greatest ‘front door’ for bringing lost teenagers (to Christ)," emphasized Kevin Boles, youth and young adult director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   As in previous years, dozens of young people made … [Read more...]

I served as the Chairman of the Tellers’ Committee at the annual meeting of the 2000 Louisiana Baptist Convention, my first LBC convention to attend. I served as the Chairman of the Tellers’ Committee at the annual meeting of the 2000 Louisiana Baptist Convention, my first LBC convention to attend. I wish to publicly thank those who served on the committee with me. Your support and assistance were wonderful and are deeply appreciated.   I must commend Bro. Tommy French for the excellent manner in which he and the parliamentarian and the Sergeant-at-Arms handled the proceedings of the business sessions.   However, my commendations do not extend to those who chose to behave themselves in a manner that is inconsistent with standards of Christian deportment. While I am fully aware that there are many issues in our convention that divide us, attacks on the character and integrity of other Christians are always in poor taste. I was labeled by at least one person as a "turncoat" and by another as an "invader." Personally, I turned against no one and invaded no one’s turf.   Rudeness and inconsiderate acts have no place in a public forum. We as Christians are to be a light to the world. … [Read more...]

During the recent LBC, it became very obvious to me that I had sinned against fellow messenger and brother in Christ -Dr. Perry Sanders. During the recent LBC, it became very obvious to me that I had sinned against fellow messenger and brother in Christ -Dr. Perry Sanders. My sin was a violation of the ninth commandment - I harmed his good name and reputation by attributing comments to him that did not accurately reflect his real sentiments. My sin was intensified by the fact that I put these comments in print on the back page of the special convention issue of the LIFe Line, the official publication of the Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship. I repented to Dr. Sanders and to the messengers at the convention, confessing my sin and asking forgiveness. (I regret that I did not take this action before the noon break, when most of the messengers were still in attendance.) Because I believe that repentance should occur in the same sphere in which the sin occurred, and because many messengers left the convention before I could confess my sin to them and ask forgiveness, I hope the remaining messengers will read this and know I am truly sorry for sinning against Dr. Sanders and against all who were in attendance. I am deeply … [Read more...]

Charges were leveled against the Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference in the recent Executive Board meeting by Scott Shaver.  Those charges included that we are a Bible Conference for LIFe. Charges were leveled against the Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference in the recent Executive Board meeting by Scott Shaver.  Those charges included that we are a Bible Conference for LIFe.  Our speakers included LC staff; Dr. Wilton, who preached at last year’s convention; an evangelist; a pastor; and the  president of our convention. No one from LIFe was presented, and no endorsements were made. In my desire to see our state convention continue its historic ties to the national convention, Paul Pressler was invited to challenge pastors to "stay the course."   The LBPC was accused of being "staffed largely by representatives of the Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship," and yet Perry Sanders was nominated for president of the LBPC in 1989 but lost to Everett Geis, Sr., now pastor of Victory Baptist Church of Monroe.  The fact that Bro. Sanders was Mainstream’s candidate at the convention suggests he does not consider himself a representative of LIFe. If we are political, why was he and those who nominated and voted … [Read more...]

Am I the only Louisiana Baptist who finds Bill Ascol’s comments to our state convention "very interesting?" Am I the only Louisiana Baptist who finds Bill Ascol’s comments to our state convention "very interesting?" While it is commendable that Ascol felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the courage to confess his "intemperate" and "sinful" comments toward Perry Sanders, I lament both his actions and the timing of his admission. Ascol is the voice for fundamentalism in Louisiana. He displayed a willingness to totally misrepresent Perry Sanders to Louisiana Baptists so that his candidate could win a denominational election. Whatever you think of Perry Sanders, his ministry has stood the test of time and speaks of integrity.   This "ends justifies the means" mentality disturbs me greatly. What adds to my concern is that Ascol represents a group that promotes biblical fundamentalism. The Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship is on the band wagon for "doctrinal purity." I heard a saying that applies: "Your walk talks and your talk talks but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." I am perplexed that a leader for fundamentalism and doctrinal purity in our state would so blatantly say one thing and do … [Read more...]