Bivocational pastor’s sermon is highlight.
ALEXANDRIA – A bivocational pastor’s sermon was the high point of the 160th annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which took place Nov. 12-13 at the Riverfront Convention Center with “Empowering Kingdom Growth–Louisiana” as its theme.
When, during a time of new pastor introductions, Chaz Estes identified himself as Hardy Estes’ son, the annual meeting attendees spontaneously took the opportunity for a fourth extended time of applause for Estes’ plain-spoken convention sermon that likened sin to a fancy fishing lure wiggling its way through the water. Estes’ message was filled with references to the outdoors and being a soldier of the Lord even when the conditions are miserable.
Hardy Estes, pastor of Marlow Baptist in Pitkin, La. for the last seven years, works in house painting and Sheetrocking. His son Chaz is youth pastor at Trinity Baptist, Oakdale.
“Hardship’s not easy, and ‘must’ say it’s coming,” Estes preached, referring to 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ – after describing how his son found him face down in the dirt one long, hard day of church work. He was kicking and flailing and punching the ground, the pastor said. “I don’t know what a snow angel looks like,” he said. “But I made me a dirt angel that day.”
Louisiana’s annual meeting, capably led by LBC President Scott Thompson, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist in Eros, flowed smoothly through committee, agency and SBC reports, many of which were augmented by video presentations.
The main business that took place during the two-day gathering – amending charters to clarify that each LBC entity is owned by the state convention – was dealt with without dispute or even discussion. The amendments were a necessary extension of LBC’s decision a year ago to incorporate, explained LBC Executive Board Chairman Francis LaRocque, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist in Lake Charles, La. Greg Erwin, LBC attorney, elaborated on LaRocque’s remarks.
Special guests included Jamie Wilson, Miss Louisiana 2006, who spoke of the training she received from her family and First Baptist Minden, that enabled her to persevere through years of disappointments to her goal of a pageant crown. Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was Bible study leader. Evangelist Bill Britt of Gallatin, Tenn., brought a closing sermon in which, he said, at least three people made a profession of faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
D. August Boto, executive vice president of the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville, Tenn., brought greetings and words of appreciation from SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman.
“You are the face of the Cooperative Program,” Boto told the Louisiana messengers. Thanks in good part to Louisiana Baptists, more than $205 million has been given this year to global mission causes through the Cooperative Program, and more than $200 million more has been given in seasonal mission offerings, Boto said.
He reminded messengers of the free website offered through www.sbc.net, and the free job search bulletin board also on that website. He also spoke of resources available to “help vet employees and volunteers for sex abuse prevention.”
Mike Holloway, pastor of Cook Baptist in Ruston, was elected president by a 513 to 314 vote over Chuck Pourciau, pastor of Broadmoor Baptist in Shreveport. Both men were lauded during nominating speeches for their support of the Cooperative Program and missions.
Mitch Harris, who pastored for at least 20 years in Louisiana and who now is a supply pastor and member at Jefferson Baptist Baton Rouge, was elected first vice president by a 380 to 325 vote over Lindsey Burns, pastor of First Baptist DeRidder. Mickey Bounds, retired pastor and member of Pleasant Hill Baptist in Farmerville, was elected unopposed as second vice president.
Louisianians so far this year have given nearly $1 million more to global missions through the Cooperative Program than at this same time last year, LBC Executive Director David Hankins reported.
That’s “in the face of serious economic challenges in parts of our state, in the midst of the ongoing monumental recovery efforts on our coast – especially in New Orleans,” Hankins said. “In spite of cultural battles that demand your constant attention, and with all the duties of effective congregational life, Louisiana Baptists have given nearly $1 million more to the Cooperative Program than this time last year – more than 5 percent more – and the special offerings are growing by more than 10 percent for the second year in a row.
“Like the Macedonians, you gave yourself first to Christ, then to us,” the LBC executive director continued. “You are heeding the challenge of Kingdom mindedness and reversing a two-decade trend of church income outgrowing mission income.”
Up more than $170,000 from last year, the convention’s 2008 budget approved by the 1,014 registered messengers anticipates $21,170,826 in giving from Louisiana Baptist churches. With 35.5 percent of undesignated receipts going to SBC national and international missions and ministries, the remaining 64.5 percent is to remain in Louisiana for use in Cooperative Program ministries.
Reflecting a recent policy change, receipts exceeding the budget will be shared 50/50 between the LBC and SBC Cooperative Programs.
The eight resolutions passed by messengers started with expressions of appreciation for the people responsible for the 2007 annual meeting, and for the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. Subsequent resolutions spanned the gamut of moral and cultural concerns: against hate crimes legislation, for pastors showing active Christian citizenship, against partial-birth abortion, for protecting children from abuse, and for personal and corporate repentance.
The annual meeting was preceded by the pastor’s conference, and a first-ever gathering of women serving vocationally in Christian endeavors. About 350 attended the pastor’s conference at Kingsville Baptist in Pineville, during which a resolution was passed to establish a fund at Louisiana Baptist Foundation that could be used to offset expenses of future meetings. About 50 women gathered at Emmanuel Baptist in Alexandria for the organizational meeting of the as-yet-unnamed group of women leaders.
The 2008 annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention is set for Nov. 10-11 at First Baptist Church in New Orleans, with David Crosby, pastor of First New Orleans, bringing the convention sermon.