A fall gathering: November is just around the corner, which means Louisiana
Baptists must be preparing for their annual state convention – as always, it
looks to be a time of business, fellowship and inspiration
A fall gathering: November is just around the corner, which means Louisiana
Baptists must be preparing for their annual state convention – as always, it
looks to be a time of business, fellowship and inspiration
The chill of fall is in the air, and that means only one thing – the
annual Louisiana Baptist Convention is just around the corner.
Hundreds of Louisiana Baptist church members are scheduled to gather at the
Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette on Nov. 10-11 for their annual meeting
of business, fellowship and inspiration.
This years gathering has been low-key in buildup, unlike some previous
years.
Only one person has announced plans to be nominated as convention president,
despite the fact that it is an open election year. Steve James of Lake Charles
has served a pair of one-year terms and is ineligible for re-election.
In past years, that meant a contest.
This year, only Philip Robertson has announced plans to be nominated. Robertson
is pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville and a past chair of the
LBC Executive Board. As reported in a previous issue of the Baptist Message,
he was approached by the Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship about allowing his nomination
– and agreed.
“I prayed about it a long time,” Robertson said. “The thing
the Lord really spoke to my heart about was in Jude, where it says to earnestly
contend for the faith. … Thats really the passion of my heart, to help
do all I can to enhance the kingdom of God.”
Robertson said he sees his nomination as a chance to continue the current direction
of the state convention, especially with an emphasis on biblical inerrancy.
“Its important that we do all we can do to further the kingdom of
God, …” he said in the Baptist Message interview. “My heartbeat
is to see people come to know Christ.”
In addition to the election of a new president, convention messengers also
will be asked to elect two vice presidents and to handle various other items
of business.
These include:
Adoption of a 2004 state Cooperative Program budget. State leaders
have proposed a reduced budget for the new year, scaling back almost $2 million
from the current mark. The cut is necessary as a result of the economic times
– and is the responsible thing to do, leaders insist.
The proposed budget essentially maintains current funding percentages for state
programs and entities. However, it also includes an increase in money directed
to the Southern Baptist Convention – from 35 percent to 35.25 percent.
If adopted, the increase in Southern Baptist Convention funding would mark
the first since 1986.
Action on a recommendation to sell the Baptist Retirement Center
in Arcadia. The center has been facing financial difficulties for some time
– and center trustees had proposed a window of opportunity to try to restore
the facility to solid footing.
However, as difficulties continued, leaders decided the time to sell was now
before the facility began to lose value. A tentative sale agreement of $5 million
has been signed with Danny Prince of Paramount Healthcare. Prince is a member
at First Baptist Church of Ruston and stepped in with interim management at
the retirement center when Administrator Bob Nelson left this summer.
The sale recommendation also will include a proposal to form a committee of
Executive Board members and center trustees to decide what to do with proceeds
from the sale – expected to be between $2 million and $2.5 million after
debt and expenses are met.
A proposal to tie the Louisiana Baptist Foundation more securely
to the state convention. Messengers approved similar recommendations for other
agencies last year. However, more discussion was needed between convention leaders
and foundation trustees. As with the others, the proposed changes are designed
to make it impossible for the foundation to leave the denomination without approval
of convention messengers.
In addition, convention messengers will be asked to consider various resolutions.
These include:
A traditional statement of appreciation for convention organizers
and personalities.
A traditional statement of appreciation for the work of the Louisiana
Moral and Civic Foundation.
A statement on clergy and the reporting of child abuse. A new state
law makes clergy mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, except when the
knowledge is gained in confidential spiritual communication. Some have expressed
concern about the law – and the proposed resolution asks ministers to monitor
the situation and report any problems to the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.
The statement also asks the foundation to work with the state legislature to
fix any problems with the new law.
A statement on Christian marriage. The proposed resolution notes
that the Christian concept of marriage as between one man and one woman is under
attack from homosexual activists and no-fault divorce proponents. It states
unequivocal opposition to the recognition of same-sex union, affirms the traditional
Christian view of marriage and calls on Louisiana couples to consider covenant
marriage licenses, which are designed to add levels of protection to marriages
and make it more difficult for couples to divorce.
A statement on video poker and local option elections. The proposed
resolution notes that moves are underway to try to expand video poker in Louisiana
and even return it to the parishes that previously voted out the form of gambling.
It reiterates the conventions firm stand against gambling and calls for
Louisiana Baptists to act in order to stop the spread of gambling and to repeal
existing forms.
Although those are the only statements proposed by the LBC Resolutions Committee
at this time, messengers still may submit possible statements. These must be
submitted in writing by the end of the Monday evening session.
Of course, not all will be business at the upcoming meeting. As usual, the
annual gathering will include music, fellowship and various addresses. These
include the annual presidents address by Steve James, pastor at Trinity
Baptist Church in Lake Charles; the convention sermon by Rod Masteller, pastor
at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport; Bible studies by John Phillips,
an author and speaker from Bowling Green, Ky.; and a closing sermon by Herb
Reavis, pastor at North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla.
In addition, messengers and guests will have the opportunity to participate
in various convention-related gatherings, such as the 2003 Louisiana Baptist
Pastors Conference.
(See Page Two for other convention details.)