When Bob Ferrington retired from education in 1988, he was only half-way finished with his career.   Ferrington was the director of choral activities at Louisiana Tech University for 19 years. He went to First Baptist Church of Farmerville in 1975 to help out as the interim minister of music. The position soon grew into a bivocational ministry and, later, into full-time service. At the end of June, Ferrington retired from his full-time ministry at the church. When Bob Ferrington retired from education in 1988, he was only half-way finished with his career.   Ferrington was the director of choral activities at Louisiana Tech University for 19 years. He went to First Baptist Church of Farmerville in 1975 to help out as the interim minister of music. The position soon grew into a bivocational ministry and, later, into full-time service. At the end of June, Ferrington retired from his full-time ministry at the church.   During his first 13 years at the church, Ferrington balanced his teaching responsibilities with his ministerial ones. This balance required him to adjust his priorities at the time, Ferrington says.   "I’m just glad I was younger then than I am now," he … [Read more...]

Almost 15 years ago, a group of Louisiana parents gathered in a small New Orleans meeting room to announce a challenge of federal funding for parochial education. Their challenge was encompassing - and threatened to change the face of parochial education across the nation. Almost 15 years ago, a group of Louisiana parents gathered in a small New Orleans meeting room to announce a challenge of federal funding for parochial education. Their challenge was encompassing - and threatened to change the face of parochial education across the nation. However, last month, the challenge finally was decided - with the U.S. Supreme Court deciding that federal funds could continue to be used to fund parochial education in this country. In a decision announced on the last day of the court term, six of the nine justices affirmed the constitutionality of a 33-year-old federal program that provides computers and other instructional materials to the nation’s public, private and religious schools. In addition to upholding the funding program, the recent decision also seemed to signal a key change in how church-state issues are viewed by the court. Opponents of the Chapter 2 funding program argued it violated the … [Read more...]

The devil is loose and doing his job well, as evidenced by the continuing controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is devious in that he is dividing us on issues in which both sides are right and both sides are wrong. The devil is loose and doing his job well, as evidenced by the continuing controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is devious in that he is dividing us on issues in which both sides are right and both sides are wrong.   An example is in the June 21 Baptist Press release "defining moment." In this article incomplete statements and statements taken out of context give different "spins" to the same statements. I should hope that both sides realize that the words recorded in the Bible, as spoken by God, is the Word of God and that His son Jesus Christ is the Revealed Word of God. The two cannot be separated, the Bible tells of God’s Word and Jesus reveals it.   Why can’t we, as concerned Christians in our preciously great SBC, demand that the Convention decease in its "power play" of one side against another. Let us not align ourselves with strong fundamentalists or with strong moderates, but rather be united again on the side of Christ. Let us stop wasting the … [Read more...]

Depending on who one talks to, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is entering a period of redefining - or severing - its relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention.   Speculation about the relationship between the national denomination and its largest state convention has increased in recent weeks. In June, messengers to the annual Southern Baptist Convention approved revisions to the Baptist Faith and Message confessional statement. Depending on who one talks to, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is entering a period of redefining - or severing - its relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention.   Speculation about the relationship between the national denomination and its largest state convention has increased in recent weeks. In June, messengers to the annual Southern Baptist Convention approved revisions to the Baptist Faith and Message confessional statement.   Those revisions were opposed publicly by some Texas Baptists before and during the annual convention. Critics said the revisions raise the Bible to the level of Jesus Christ. They also complain about other changes, such as the assertion that only men may serve as pastors.   Since … [Read more...]

Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during which Hobbs revealed he invented the term "soul competency," and Nesom said he has "never seen the term in older works." Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during which Hobbs revealed he invented the term "soul competency," and Nesom said he has "never seen the term in older works."   But one need look no further then E.Y. Mullins, in The Axioms of Religion (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1908) 73: "These axioms of Christianity grow out of the mother principle for which Baptists have stood through the ages, as set forth, viz, The competency of the soul in religion under God."   The history of the term "soul competency" is less important than the history of the concept. Mullins consistently described the "competency of the soul" as the possibility of a direct and unmediated relationship between the human soul and God (ibid,106 et passim).   Nesom also erred in suggesting that "soul competency" implies all human beings are "spiritually competent." Mullins never thought soul competency precluded the need to be born again: "The subjective principle of … [Read more...]

Okay, the universe was created by God, angels do exist and influence people’s lives, the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings, sin definitely is not an outdated idea - and there is nothing one can do that God cannot forgive. So far, so good as far as what a majority of Americans believe. Okay, the universe was created by God, angels do exist and influence people’s lives, the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings, sin definitely is not an outdated idea - and there is nothing one can do that God cannot forgive. So far, so good as far as what a majority of Americans believe. However, before one begins feeling too good, consider the fact that Americans also tend to believe the devil is merely a symbol of evil, the Holy Spirit is but a symbol of God and the Bible definitely teaches that God helps those who help themselves. Meanwhile, they are pretty well divided on whether they have a responsibility to tell others about religious beliefs, whether Jesus committed sins while on earth, whether it matters what faith one follows and whether a person can get to heaven just by being good. All in all, it is enough to lead one to distraction. Indeed, in reporting the recent research on … [Read more...]

Some six months ago, some 50 years ago - but these 31 couples have chosen to do so again.   No, they are not entering into second marriages. These husbands and wives are recommitting their lives to one another, this time saying, "I still do!"   The couples are renewing their wedding vows in a setting resembling that of a traditional wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church of Kenner. Some six months ago, some 50 years ago - but these 31 couples have chosen to do so again.   No, they are not entering into second marriages. These husbands and wives are recommitting their lives to one another, this time saying, "I still do!"   The couples are renewing their wedding vows in a setting resembling that of a traditional wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church of Kenner.   Representing long-married and newly-married, the 31 couples walk down the aisle arm-in-arm during this Saturday morning service in late June, ready to exchange vows once again.   Pastor Joe McKeever welcomes the couples and their guests with a reminder of the service’s meaning.   "You often need to rededicate or recommit yourself to your Lord," the New Orleans-area pastor says. … [Read more...]

The United States Supreme Court has decided - student led prayer that is part of the public school football game pre-game agenda and broadcast over the public address system has been ruled unconstitutional. The United States Supreme Court has decided - student led prayer that is part of the public school football game pre-game agenda and broadcast over the public address system has been ruled unconstitutional. The expected cries of "throwing God out of schools" have indeed risen across the nation. But people who are concerned about the government meddling in religion would be wise to consider carefully the implications of the ruling. People who want freedom of religion should not expect to have it both ways. They cannot expect government to take a "hands off" position when it best serves their religious purposes, and then expect to have government support their causes when that is beneficial. The problem with this kind of "having it my way both ways" thinking is, "Who decides when it is right for government to sponsor religious activities, and when it is wrong?" Would the majority decide? Would a World Council of Churches kind of board decide? Would the United States president decide? Would a local judge … [Read more...]

The two fishing buddies lived for this day. Retirement arrived and they were ready for celebration.   They get up later than usual and rather than heading to their offices, they turn their boat-towing truck toward the lake.   What a day. No worry about missing work. No worry about catching up tomorrow. No worry about catching fish because they could try again as early as tomorrow. No worry about wives fussing about them fishing because the wives worry more about having them around the houses all day. The two fishing buddies lived for this day. Retirement arrived and they were ready for celebration.   They get up later than usual and rather than heading to their offices, they turn their boat-towing truck toward the lake.   What a day. No worry about missing work. No worry about catching up tomorrow. No worry about catching fish because they could try again as early as tomorrow. No worry about wives fussing about them fishing because the wives worry more about having them around the houses all day.   On their way to their usual fishing lake, they decide they have the time to try another lake they have never found the time to fish. At the fork of the road, they … [Read more...]

Do churches have any reason to fear the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service in this year’s election season for distributing voter guides?   It depends on who one asks.   Neutral guides are not a problem, American Center for Law and Justice leaders insist. Do churches have any reason to fear the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service in this year’s election season for distributing voter guides?   It depends on who one asks.   Neutral guides are not a problem, American Center for Law and Justice leaders insist.   Churches should beware, an Americans United for Separation of Church and State official counters.   What is not in question is that the issue is one that must be taken seriously. For instance, a recent Internal Revenue Service memorandum to tax-exempt organizations warned churches and other charities to be careful about their education efforts during this fall’s campaigns.   Organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the tax code "are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office," the memo said. "These organizations cannot … [Read more...]